Muskies comeback falls short in offensive battle
International Falls is closing in on history, and the play of the first line is leading the way.
The Broncos (5-1-1) tied the school record with their fifth straight win Tuesday, edging Borderland rival Fort Frances 7-6 in a see-saw battle at Bronco Arena. It’s the fourth straight rivalry game decided by one goal between the schools, and the Broncos have won the last three.
“It’s always back and forth with the Fort,” said Broncos senior Mackenzie Raboin, who finished with a hat trick and two assists on an electric first line.
Sydney Gordon added two goals and four assists and Amy Auran chipped in with a goal on the first line to power a streaking Broncos squad past a Jillian Langtry-lead Muskies team.
Langtry played a role in every Fort Frances goal, tallying a hat trick and dishing out three assists. She nearly led a ferocious comeback, which finished in the Broncos end with fans on the edge of their seat.
“No. 16 was pretty dominant, and they played smart,” Gordon said.
Hailey Clendenning added two goals and an assist and Melanie Scott had two assists for Fort Frances, which is in the middle of numerous early-season adjustments, according to players Ericka Tymkin and Jessica Taggart. With the Muskie coaches already out of the arena when The Journal came searching for comments, Tymkin and Taggart admitted they’re struggling with injuries and a lack of chemistry early in the season. Fort Frances is 1-5 in NorWOSSA play, according to Taggart, with most of the losses by one goal.
“Just trying to work as a team,” Taggart said. “But today was probably the most offensive game we’ve played. Usually it’s just us making the comeback, but this was just one after another.”
The fireworks started early with the Muskies holding a 3-1 lead just 4:29 into the game. It was 3-3 at the 8:38 mark with the six goals coming off 16 shots (12 by the Broncos). The rivals exchanged goals in the second before the entertaining third.
After the Broncos scored on a rebound 43 seconds into the final period, Raboin sent a nice drop pass to Gordon to set up the senior’s second goal to make it 6-4 with 14:03 left. Langtry answered on the Muskies’ next shot before Raboin tallied her hat trick 25 seconds later to make it 7-5. Langtry and Taylor Dixon assisted Shae-Lynn Smith’s goal with 6:57 remaining to set up the close finish. The Muskies pulled goalie Dana Cridland with 1:06 to play, and most of the final minute was played in the Broncos end, but Auran cleared the puck with 10 seconds left and Fort Frances never got another shot.
Cridland made 31 saves in the loss, while Taylar Nelson stopped 18 shots for the Broncos, who also got two assists from Michele McDonald and a goal from Hillary Fox.
The only other five-game win streak in school history came last season. With Lake of the Woods on the schedule Thursday — a team the Broncos beat 10-2 on Nov. 30 — a new record looks to be closing in on the horizon.
“It’s a lot of fun. We’re clicking lately,” Raboin said.
Broncos sweep Lakers
Raboin and the Broncos had some extra fun over the weekend, sweeping visiting Detroit Lakes 7-0 and 5-2.
Sisters Mackenzie and Sydney Raboin played against cousin Emily and uncle Bruce Raboin. Emily is a junior defenseman and Bruce, a 1979 Falls High School grad, is an assistant coach for the Lakers.
In Friday’s 7-0 victory at Bronco Arena, the Broncos put it away early with five goals in the first period. Mackenzie Raboin had a team-high two goals, while McDonald, Amanda Hofius, Rebekah Ford, Gordon and Hillary Fox also scored. Abbey Fox had three assists, Auran had two assists and Nelson made 17 saves for the shutout.
Five different Broncos scored in Saturday’s 5-2 win. Hofius, Gordon, Mackenzie Raboin, Jordan Bright and Abbey Fox each scored a goal, while Auran and McDonald had two assists each. Keanna Carlson made 17 saves for the win.
I. Falls 7, Fort Frances 6
FF 3 1 2—6
IF 3 1 3—7
First period — FF, Hailey Clendenning (Jillian Langtry, Melanie Scott), 1:21; FF, Langtry (Clendenning), 1:42; IF, Hillary Fox (Kathryn West), 2:52; FF, Langtry, 4:29; IF, Mackenzie Raboin (Michele McDonald, Sydney Gordon), 5:04; IF, Amy Auran (Raboin, Gordon), PP, 8:38.
Second period — IF, Gordon, 4:37; FF, Clendenning (Langtry, Shelby Tymkin), 14:23.
Third period — IF, Raboin (Gordon, McDonald), :43; IF, Gordon (Raboin, Alyssa Bergstrom), 2:57; FF, Langtry (Scott), 4:18; IF, Raboin (Gordon), 4:42; FF, Shae-Lynn Smith (Langtry, Taylor Dixon), 10:03.
Goalies — FF, Dana Cridland, 31 saves; IF, Taylar Nelson, 18 saves.
