MLA Comes Up Short Against Northern Lakes

Dec 17

Kerry Rodd-NSO

Sometimes statistics in sports can be misleading. For example, the Moose Lake Area boys hockey team lost to Northern Lakes 4-1 despite out shooting NL 29-16 for the game. However, upon further examination, statistics can also tell more about the story–such as the Rebels going 0-5 on the power play while NL went 2-6 on the power play and they added a shorthanded tally in their win.

The Rebels gave up a goal just 3:02 into the game when Alec Fitch scored on the power play for NL with the assist going to Kyler Decent. Connor Chambers added another goal at 14:02 of the period and the Rebels trailed 2-0 after one period.

Things got worse before they got better for the Rebels in the second period when Sam Johnson scored a shorthanded goal at 10:44 of the period, making it 3-0 in favor of NL. The Rebels did cut the lead to 3-1 when Josh Cisar recorded a goal at 15:09 of the middle stanza, giving his team hope entering the final period.

MLA out shot NL 11-6 in the final period, but the lone goal of the period was scored by Sam Johnson on the power play for NL at 5:42 with the assist going to Cody Chambers.

The Rebels had chances to score late in the game because of a penalty to NL for holding the stick, but that came with just 1:02 remaining in the third period and the Rebels trailing by three goals.

Austin Lanoue made 12 saves on 16 shots for the Rebels, while NL allowed just the one goal in 29 shots.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at Kerry@northlandsportsonline.com