The season began Tuesday night for International Falls’ girls hockey team like it has in recent years by being dominated by Roseau.
The Broncos were shut out at home by the Rams, 8-0.
“We’re a step behind them, certainly,” said Falls head coach Gerald Bolstad. “It’s a tough deal when we had a lot of kids missing practice the first two weeks because of swimming and cross country, so you get behind a little bit. But that’s OK. It’s a long year.
“I thought we competed at times, and at other times we got caught running around a little bit.”
Roseau was able to keep the puck primarily on the Broncos’ side of the rink and outshot the Falls, 42-14.
“They’re quick, and they’re mostly juniors and seniors, so physically they’re a lot stronger than us,” Bolstad. “They win a lot of the one-on-one battles, and I think that was why you probably noticed that the rink was maybe tilted a little bit.”
In contrast, Bolstad noted the Broncos played some eighth-graders against the team that won last season’s Section 8AA championship.
“We’re a little short-handed right now,” he said. “We have a couple kids that are out, so that’s all part of it. Once we get to 100 percent, then hopefully we’ll be able to play more of our sophomores and juniors.”
Roseau scored less than a minute and a half into the opening period on a goal from Bailey Holter assisted by Bethany Tangen.
The Rams pulled in front by three less than 6:30 into the game with two additional goals from Mary Przekwas and Ciscely Nelson.
The Falls, which was unable to capitalize on a five-on-three power play with around 7 minutes left in the first period, only had eight shots on goal in the first 17 minutes, compared to 17 for Roseau.
The Rams added three more goals in the second period from Katlyn Byfuglein, Holter and Nelson to be able to play on running time in the final period with a six-goal lead.
Roseau then closed out the game with goals from Emily Skoglund and Nelson.
Falls goalie Keanna Carlson made 34 saves. Bridget Slater recorded the shutout in goal for the Rams with 14 saves.
The 0-1 Broncos will seek their first win of the season Friday when they play at Silver Bay.
“It’s always a battle down in Silver Bay,” Bolstad said. “They’re a competitive team. They’re going to play us hard. We’ve got to get some things squared away, get some defensive zone coverages fixed and I think we’ll be fine.”
Roseau 8, I. Falls 0
I. Falls 0 0 0 — 0
Roseau 3 3 2 — 8
