Press Release
The local Taggs Bantam ‘AA’ squad competed in the International Falls Hockey Classic on Feb. 5-7.
Their first game, against the Norwest Stars (Thunder Bay), saw both teams played tight defensively as the score remained 0-0 through two periods.
The Stars then drew first blood on a goal by Liam Coulter, but Jack Hamilton promptly replied for Taggs.
Shortly afterwards, however, Jordan Pacifico netted the eventual game-winner for the Stars.
Taggs pressed late in the period on the power play but, after a blocked shot, Daniel Del Paggio notched an empty-netter with one second to go to seal the hard-fought 3-1 win.
Taggs was outshot 35-19, with goalie Scott Parsons providing a stellar effort between the pipes.
Their second game saw Taggs playing a spirited match against the host International Falls team.
The Falls tallied twice in the second period on goals by Lucas Debenedet and Tyler Richards but Taggs responded halfway through the third on a marker by Nolan Ross, assisted by Dylan Curtis, to narrow the margin to 2-1.
Again, Taggs pressed late for the equalizer. But once again, a late empty-netter meant another 3-1 loss.
Parsons was strong in goal again, turning aside 26 of 28 shots.
Game 3 pitted Taggs against the Dryden Paper Kings.
Dryden tallied first on a goal by Ryan Hron but Curtis responded with a tremendous short-handed tally.
Dryden then forged ahead 3-1 in the second on goals by Russ Balla and Hron.
Defenceman Judd Gardiman, assisted by Ian Kitt and Abe Germain, notched a power-play marker for Taggs midway through the third.
But that was as close as they would get in falling 3-2.
Brandon Anderson had a strong game in goal for Taggs, kicking aside 17 of 20 shots.
The tournament format allowed Taggs to exact some revenge on the Paper Kings in their final game as a hard-fought effort resulted in a 2-1 victory, which was good for third place.
The Ross brothers teamed up for the opening goal, with Davis converting a pass from Nolan in the second period.
Davis, an offensive defenceman, notched his second goal, from Tyler Mosbeck, in the third for a 2-0 lead.
The Paper Kings replied late in the third on a goal from Drew Walske to narrow the lead to 2-1, but Taggs held firm defensively to secure the victory.
Coaches Monte Ross, Greg Ross, and Todd Hamilton were very proud of the strong effort from the squad the entire weekend.
