Staff
Boxing Day turned out to be a punch in the jaw for the Muskie boys hockey team.
The black-and-gold lost 3-1 yesterday to the Crookston (Minn.) Pirates in Fort Frances’ first game at the Ralph Engelstad Arena Classic in Thief River Falls, Minn.
The Muskies broke out on top 3:22 into the first period when Tyler VanUden converted a feed from Braden Webb for a 1-0 lead.
Crookston struck back at 14:14 with Doug Larson picking up the equalizer on an unassisted play.
The Pirates then grabbed the lead with a pair of second-period goals by Brady Heppner at 9:08 and 12:02, respectively, with Larson adding helpers on both goals to complete a three-point effort.
Ian Johnson turned aside 19 shots to pick up the win for Crookston, while Jonah Johnson collected 28 saves in a losing cause for the Fort.
The Muskies’ second game take place today at 2:30 p.m. against the Siren (Wisc.) Dragons.
The six-team tournament, which will see no official champion crowned and is held strictly to provide more games for teams that want them, wraps up tomorrow with the Fort slated to face the Achiever Academy Aces from Minneapolis/St. Paul at 10:30 a.m.
