Strong Third Period Gets East Past Lumberjacks

Feb 6, 2012

Kerry Rodd-NSO

A few weeks ago the Duluth East boys hockey team pounded Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 7-0. Last night through two periods the Lumberjacks held the Greyhounds off to the tune of a 2-2 tie, however the depth of East paid off with a strong third period and they gained a 5-2 victory over CEC at Amsoil Arena in Duluth.

Connor Valesano gave East a 1-0 lead at 10:07 of the first period, but the Lumberjacks responded with a goal only 50 seconds later on a nifty play from behind the net to tie the game at 1-1. Karson Kuhlman got the goal for CEC as he banked it off East goalie Dylan Parker. East responded with a goal by Trevor Olson with 59 seconds remaining in the first period to give the Greyhounds a 2-1 edge after one period.

Despite a large shooting advantage in the second period for East it was the Lumberjacks who scored the lone goal and that was by Westin Michaud just 16 seconds into the second period with Beau Michaud adding the lone assist and the score was even after two periods at 2-2.

The third period saw the #1 ranked Greyhounds rise to another level with three goals. The first goal was a shot that weaved through a number of bodies before slipping past CEC goalie John Scheuer at 4:48 to give East the lead for good. Alex Toscano added another goal at 10:15 as he snapped a shot into the CEC net and finally it was Valesano adding his second goal of the game at 13:43 from Toscano to end the scoring.

Scheuer played strong again for CEC with 30 saves on 35 shots, while Parker finished with 10 saves on 12 shots by the Lumberjacks.

The win pushes the Greyhounds record to 21-1 and they swept the season series with the Lumberjacks.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com