International Falls will get another shot at Hibbing-Chisholm in the Section 7A tournament.
Both teams pitched shutouts in Thursday’s quarterfinals — the No. 2 Broncos 9-0 over No. 10 Two Harbors and the No. 3 Bluejackets 5-0 over No. 6 Eveleth-Gilbert/Mesabi East — to set up a battle that’s taken place two straight postseasons. The Bluejackets won both games and have won the last three meetings in the section tournament, dating back to infamous 1-0 contest in the section final in 2003.
In fact, the Broncos haven’t defeated the Bluejackets in the section tournament since 1995.
“Giving it everything we got,” is what Broncos captain Matt Youso pointed to as Saturday’s biggest key after Thursday’s victory. “(Hibbing-Chisholm) is going to come out and battle. I’ve never played a Hibbing team that hasn’t showed up hard to compete. It’s always physical.”
Last year was extra physical in the waning seconds of the Bluejackets’ 4-2 win. Willie Corrin was ejected for fighting, Youso was hit with a double minor and Jordan Christianson was called for cross checking. All three, who are all back this season, spent the final 45 seconds in the penalty box as the Broncos ended the game in a 5-on-3 disadvantage.
The two regular season battles this season, which the two teams split, were much less physical and Broncos head coach John Prettyman doesn’t see the need to compare past teams.
“It’s a new season and game,” he said. “I don’t think you can make comparisons or think about the past.”
In Thursday’s victory at Bronco Arena, Corrin and Alex Bruess both notched a hat trick and added two assists each. Youso had a goal and two assists and Michael Bounds dished out two assists. Mike Hart, who faced only four shots in a one-sided first period, stopped 14 shots for the shutout.
International Falls (16-8-2) outshot the Agates 27-4 in the first period alone. Two Harbors (3-22-2) reached the quarterfinals with a memorable 6-5 comeback win in overtime at No. 7 Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin on Tuesday.
In other Section 7A action, top-seeded Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl walloped No. 8 Silver Bay/Cook County by a football score at 22-0, and No. 4 Duluth Marshall blanked No. 5 Duluth Central 8-0.
For Youso, Saturday’s game will mark his fourth section semifinal appearance. The Broncos have lost the previous three.
“Hopefully I’m going to break that streak Saturday,” he said.
No. 2 I. Falls 9,
No. 10 Two Harbors 0
TH 0 0 0—0
IF 5 3 1—9
First period — IF, Willie Corrin (Alex Bruess), PP, 2:58; IF, Bruess (Matt Youso), 5:54; IF, Dominic Casareto (Youso, Brett Lucek), 9:35; IF, Christian Kittelson (Bruess, Corrin), PP, 15:36; IF, Corrin (Dylan Farmer), 16:54.
Second period — IF, Youso (Jordan Christianson, Michael Bounds), PP, 5:16; IF, Corrin (Bounds, Jon McDonald), 7:33; IF, Bruess (Joel Skirten), 13:15.
Third period — IF, Bruess (Corrin), 1:11.
Goalies — TH, Aaron Lee, 42 saves; IF, Mike Hart, 14 saves.
