Staff
The Muskie boys’ hockey team had to hang on to earn the consolation title at the annual Hilltopper Classic tournament in Duluth yesterday.
But cling they did.
The black-and-gold overcame three Delano (Mn.) goals in the third period to come away with a 5-4 victory.
The Muskies had advanced to the consolation final with a 10-1 drubbing of Irondale (Mn.) on Tuesday.
Fort High fell behind early yesterday as Tyler Heinonen beat Muskie goalie Scott Parsons at 10:28 of the first.
But Jeff Gustafson made it 1-1 just 1:41 later.
The Muskies surged ahead in the second period as Brett McMahon and Davis Ross exploded for goals just 17 seconds apart early on.
A short-handed goal from Gustafson put the Muskies up 4-1 after two.
Delano began to mount a comeback in the third, with Nick Vatnsdal tallying 26 seconds into the frame before Bob Emmer cut the deficit to one at 11:31.
But Ryan Lundy notched an insurance marker for Fort High at 12:58—and it proved to be the winner as Heinonen tallied once again at 14:48 to round out the scoring.
Parsons made 28 saves while his counterpart, Pinoneiemi, made 29 for Delano.
In Tuesday’s 10-1 thrashing of Irondale, Fort High led 6-0 after the first and tallied against three different goalies.
Brendan Cawston had two goals and three points while Robbie Rea and Nolan Ross also had three points.
Judd Gardiman, Nick Kaun, Colton Spicer, Jeff Davis, Brett McMahon, and Chris Bobczynski all had goals, as well, while Brady McMahon had a multi-assist effort.
Devin Stromness made 23 saves in goal while Irondale’s trio combined for 35 stops.
Fort High returns to the ice next Tuesday (Jan. 4) for an exhibition game against the host International Falls Broncos.
