Superior Slips Past CEC 5-4

Jan 14

Kerry Rodd-NSO

It takes three solid periods to win a hockey game and unfortunately for the Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boys hockey team, they played only two solid ones on Thursday night. The Lumberjacks fell 5-4 to Superior in a game they trailed by two goals in the first period.

The Spartans came out and took it to the Jacks in the first period as they gained a 3-1 lead. Corbin Morse gave the Jacks a lead just 1:18 into the first period with Tyler Tollerud picking up an assist, but that would be the only lead CEC would have the rest of the period. Superior scored three unanswered goals in the first period in a collection of ways. Essentially it was a lackluster effort in the first period by CEC as the Spartans continuously were quicker with the puck, without the puck and in their decision making.

Coming out of the locker room and entering the second period, the Lumberjacks were energized and played some of their best hockey of the season. Whatever was said in the locker room must have bordered on genius because the Jacks were impressive. Paul Ryan scored just forty seconds into the period with Paul Johnson and Jack McFarlane picking up the assists to cut the Superior lead to a goal. The Jacks tied the game when Ben Michaud intercepted a clearing attempt while CEC was on the power play at the 2:39 mark. Superior responded with a goal by Nolan Holcomber at 10:25 with the Jacks a man short, but perhaps the prettiest goal of the game was scored next when Mark Savage of CEC tipped in a blast from the point by Ryan Tollerud with just 1:56 remaining in the second period. Tollerud’s shot was a rocket that was headed for Spartan goalie Joel Pettingill only to change direction at the last second on the nifty tip by Savage. The game was dead even at 4-4 after two periods.

The third period was a fun period of hockey that featured up and down the rink action with both teams having chances. However, it was only Kellen McCoshen who was able to convert at the 3:11 mark by taking a pass from Mitch Kontney and just slipping it puck past CEC goalie John Scheuer, who made 23 saves on 28 shots.

For the game, the Jacks out shot Superior 37-28, but Pettingill made a variety of spectacular saves and was also the beneficiary of a third period pipe shot by the Jacks.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com