Broncos improve to 54-0 against Ely

Just after fans started cheering “Put it in the net, Bounds! Put it in the net,” Broncos senior Michael Bounds responded in the third period with his sixth goal Tuesday in an 8-1 rout of Ely/Babbitt-Embarrass/Tower-Soudan at Bronco Arena.

Not much was said before Tuesday’s game, Bounds admitted.

“Got out and have fun. Work hard. Don’t take anything lightly,” the senior captain said following his best performance on varsity.

In the annual “don’t take anything for granted” game against the Timberwolves (3-9-1), who haven’t won since Dec. 17, Bounds was the main highlight in a contest played with the entire third period in running time. Bounds, whose previous high single-game goal total was four, had six goals, Joel Skirten had a team-high three assists and Brett Lucek had two points, including his first-career varsity goal.

Matt Pelowski stopped 16 shots for the win, while Cody Bialik made 33 saves for the Timberwolves.

International Falls has never lost to any Ely squad. They are now 54-0 against the Timberwolves — 37-0 against Ely and 17-0 against Ely/Babbitt-Embarrass/Tower-Soudan.

The Broncos (8-8-1) are also on a roll, winning six of seven heading into Friday’s battle at home against Grand Rapids.

“We’re starting to play hard. Play as a team,” Bounds said. “Everything is starting to click.”

Broncos head coach Mike Bolstad said it’s a number of things that are factoring into the recent success, which included a 7-4 win Saturday at Detroit Lakes (9-8).

“Steady progress. The kids are working hard and they’re getting what we’re trying to do,” he said. “The real test will be Grand Rapids and you expect to come out flying.”

I. Falls 8, Ely/B-E/T-S 1

E 0 0 1—1

IF 3 3 2—8

First period — IF, Michael Bounds (Alex Bruess, Joel Skirten), 3:17; IF, Bounds (Dominic Casareto, Skirten), 3:36; IF, Bounds (Derek White, Brett Lucek), 9:52.

Second period — IF, Bounds (Skirten), 3:09; IF, Bounds, 13:27; IF, Eric Lassila (Jack Bragg), 16:38.

Third period — E, Billy Foy (Louis Gerzin, Alex Koschak), 3:45; IF, Bounds, 5:51; IF, Lucek, 6:49.

Goalies — E, Cody Bialik, 33 saves; IF, Matt Pelowski, 16 saves.

Saturday’s result

I. Falls 7, Detroit Lakes 4

IF 2 5 0—7

DL 1 1 4—4

First period — IF, Lucas DeBenedet, SH, 8:06; IF, Christian Kittelson (Dominic Casareto, Michael Misner), PP, 13:52; DL, Kirby Inderrieden (Andy Schupp), 14:41.

Second period — IF, Mason Meyer (Eric Lassila), 2:13; DL, Nate Baker (Alex Mason), 6:58; IF, Lassila (Broc Friend), 7:37; IF, Meyer (Friend), 12:53; IF, Joel Skirten (Derek White), PP, 13:58; IF, Alex Bruess (Skirten), 14:13.

Third period — DL, Schupp (Austin Starkey), PP, 1:12; DL, Schupp (Derick Brehm, Baker), PP, 10:04.

Goalies — IF, Glenn Walls, 31 saves; DL, Brett Nephew, 20 saves.

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