sports

DODA SCORES LATE AS PIRATE BOY’S HOCKEY TIES PARK RAPIDS 2-2

January 30, 2023

Jack Doda scored late and the Crookston Pirate Boy’s Hockey team skated to a 2-2 tie against the Park Rapids Panthers on Monday night.

FIRST PERIOD –
It was a slower start to the game with both teams not doing much offensively as they tried to feel each other out a little bit. Jaren Bailey made a couple of nice saves near the middle of the period, and Park Rapids hit a post as well, but the game remained tied at 0-0. Eventually, the Panthers wore Crookston down and their third line was able to produce the first goal of the game on a nice move in front of the net by Cooper Brovold, beating Bailey with his backhand to give Park Rapids the 1-0 lead with 7:59 left in the period. Neither team got many good looks for the rest of the period. There were also zero Power Plays in the first seventeen minutes as well, and Park Rapids would take a 1-0 lead into the second period. The Panthers outshot Crookston 9-4 in the opening frame.

SECOND PERIOD –
The first good scoring chance of the middle frame came after a Panthers penalty was called, giving Crookston the first Power Play of the night. Crookston would take advantage and Carter Trudeau would score his 9th goal of the season on a loose puck in front of the net, tying the game at 1-1 with 8:38 left in the second period. Nathan Kelly and Jack Doda would be given assists on the goal. A few minutes later, the Pirates would be called for a hooking penalty as Jeron Pinoniemi was driving to the net, and after some discussion, the officials awarded the Panthers a penalty shot to try and take the lead back. Pinoniemi would try and deek Bailey with a double move, but Bailey would use his stick to deflect the puck away, making the stop and keeping the game at 1-1. A few short minutes after that, Jackson Demarais would head off on a penalty, but again, Crookston was able to survive the two minutes down a man, and get back to even strength. No more scoring would take place in the middle frame, and the two teams would skate off into the second intermission tied at 1-1. The shooting picked up in the second period, and Park Rapids lead 24-16 in shots heading into the final frame.

THIRD PERIOD –
The third period started slow and the defense was the main storyline for much of the frame. After over ten minutes of scoreless play, the Pirates were able to get their first chance to take the lead on a Power Play after a Cross check was called on the Panthers. Crookston was only able to get one shot on goal, and Park Rapids returned to full strength. A minute or so later, Park Rapids would take the lead with just 3:12 remaining. Bailey would make an initial save on a shot from the point, but Joey Hillukka was there to clean up the mess on the rebound, putting Park Rapids in front 2-1 late in the period. It looked as if the Pirates were doomed, but with 1:39 remaining Crookston got on offensive zone faceoff and decided to pull Bailey for the extra attacker. It took over a minute later, but with just 0:26 remaining, the Pirates were able to get the equalizer to tie the game at 2-2 and force overtime. Tate Hamre would launch a puck from the point on net, and after a huge scrum, Pirates captain Jack Doda was able to shove the puck into the back of the net right before it came dislodged, forcing overtime.

OT –
It took just thirty seconds into overtime and the Panthers would be given an opportunity to win the game after Jackson Demarais was called for a trip, putting Park Rapids on the Power Play. Crookston’s penalty kill stood tall and was able to get another kill and keep the overtime period alive. Each team had a couple of good chances in the overtime frame, and Crookston almost caught the Panthers goaltender Sawyer Torkelson out of the net on multiple occasions but couldn’t take advantage. Neither team was able to scratch across a goal, and the game would end in a 2-2 tie.

Crookston is now 2-15-1 and will be off until Friday night when they will host Greenway Coleraine. Park Rapids moves to 11-5-1.