Rails Win In Overtime at Hilltopper Classic

Wes Vork-NSO

Click Here For The Complete Game Box Score

For Additional Photos Click Here For Our Complete Photo Gallery

Dec 27

Wes Vork-NSO

Jesse Scanlon scored on a breakaway just 57 seconds into overtime to give the Proctor Rails a 4-3 victory over Delano in the opening round of the Hilltopper Classic at Mars Lakeview Arena on Monday afternoon.

Cody Gauthier got things going for the Rails when he scored on the power play just 1:48 into the game, Patrick Everson and Jesse Scanlon picked up assists on the goal. Tyler Heinonen answered for Delano at the 5:22 mark when their high scoring forward notched his 15th goal of the season to tie the game at one apiece. Before the period was over Frank Katzmarek and Justin Scanlon scored for Proctor, putting the Rails up 3-1 after one period.

Delano started the second period with a quick goal from Jack Prinsen just 32 seconds into the period. That would be it for the second period scoring however, with both teams cranking things up a notch on defense. Proctor, who entered the game without the services of Tyler Pionk, who is out with a separated shoulder, was dealt a bit of a setback when leading scorer Ian Ecklund left the game with an injury in the second period.

Although they were without the services of their first and third leading scorers in Ecklund and Pionk, Proctor persisted with their hard work and hustle, which have become a trademark of the Rails team. “These kids don’t make excuses, they just go out and work hard and get it done.” Proctor Head Coach Tim Schnobrich explained to Northland Sports Online after the game. Adding, “Without the added hustle we are just an ordinary team, working hard allows us to be in the game in the third period and gives us a chance to win.”

The third period brought lots of back and forth action without either team being able to convert the up-and-down action into points. At the 8:24 mark of the third period that changed when Tiger’s Jake Lorentzen tied the game with a difficult tough angle shot to the top of the net. Just 12 seconds later Proctor appeared to have scored the go ahead goal, but the whistle blew and the ruling was no goal. Although Proctor averaged 8.1 goals per game and Delano came in with a high flying 6.7 average, neither could score for the remainder of the third period and the game headed to overtime.

With the overtime period barely underway, the puck hopped the stick of a Delano defender near the top of the Delano zone and found its way to Jesse Scanlon’s stick. Scanlon raced in on a breakaway and had the puck in the back of the net before the Delano goaltender
could make
a move of any kind, giving Proctor the 4-3 win just 57 seconds into the extra period.

Bounces really are a part of the game, sometimes they go your way and sometimes they don’t. After coming close to scoring several times, only to see the puck blown dead in front of the Delano net, the Rails weren’t about to apologize for their good fortune. “Our kids kept their focus and just worked hard, we deserved that bounce” Coach Schnobrich explained.

Ryan McCarthy was stellar in the nets for Proctor, making 30 saves on 33 quality shots. After losing three year starter Derek Robinson to graduation, goaltending was a big question mark at the start of the season for the Rails. McCarthy and Brody Morin have split time in net and have collectively held opponents to a 2 goals per game average. “Coach Terry Dunbar has done a great job of working with both of them, and our goaltending has been very solid.” Schnobrich mentioned. Ryan Pinoniemi made 30 saves on 34 shots for Delano.

With the win, Proctor extends their record to 7-1 on the season. They now advance to the semi-final round of the Hilltopper classic and will face Superior at 6:00pm on Tuesday at Mars Lakeview Arena. The Spartans advanced with a 5-2 win over Appleton earlier in the day.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com