CEC Boys Finish At Home With A Win

Wes Vork-NSO

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Feb 12

Kerry Rodd-NSO

CLOQUET – The Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys hockey team saw both ends of the hockey spectrum this week. On Tuesday the Jacks suffered a tough 8-2 loss to Duluth East on the road, but on Saturday afternoon they rebounded to pound a good Stillwater team 5-1 at home at the CARC.

Stillwater came into the afternoon game with a stellar 15-4-2 record, but the Jacks imposed their will as the game wore on and they handed the Ponies a road loss.

After a scoreless first period in which the Jacks were outshot 8-6 they bounced back with a brilliant second period. The brilliance illuminated from the first line of Jack McFarlane, Nolan Meyer and Karson Kuhlman who accounted for four goals in the period. Meyer scored three consecutive goals at 4:35, 7:16 and 9:36 for the pure hat trick, and McFarlane added the other goal for CEC in the second period at 11:03 with an assist to Kuhlman and Chaise Jokinen. McFarlane also assisted on all three of Meyer’s goals, while Kuhlman added three assists in the period.

“I’ve thought our second period has been our best period all season long.” CEC head Coach Dave Esse mentioned after the game. “To be tied 0-0 going into the second period with this team and all of the skilled players they have, we were very happy.” Esse added.

Meyer has an uncanny ability to shoot from just about any angle and get a good shot to the net, while both McFarlane and the youthful Kuhlman are both gifted in their ability to create space where there is limited room. McFarlane’s goal was a pretty one as he slipped down the right wing and then cut between the defenseman, who were staggered on the play before zipping a shot into the top corner of the net after the goalie had committed down low. “They (Stillwater) have great defenseman but we played well, we were relaxed and moved the puck well.” Esse said of his team’s efforts Saturday.

The final goal of the second period was scored by Stillwater’s Cody Corbett on the power play at 12:57. Corbett took a drop pass from Cory Erchul and blasted a slapper past CEC goalie Boyd Smith. As the horn sounded to end the second CEC was up 4-1.

The third period was hard-hitting and at times rough and tumble, but the only goal of the period came when Beau Michaud snapped wrister to the net that hit the end of Stillwater goalie Gordy Defiel’s glove and slid into the net for a 5-1 Jacks lead. Kellin Lamirande picked up the lone assist on the play.

For the game the Jacks outshot the Ponies 30-22 and Smith was strong in the net with 21 saves.

The game was the final regular season home game for CEC who are 16-7-0 with two road games remaining.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com