International Falls finds itself stumbling into the Section 7A playoffs after putting together a seven-game unbeaten streak that stretched from the end of January into mid-February.

The Broncos (14-8-2) didn’t lose from Jan. 22 to Feb. Feb. 11, but have all of a sudden dropped two straight in scoreless fashion — 4-0 Friday to Grand Rapids (11-11-2) and 3-0 Tuesday to Roseau (18-5-1). Both came at Bronco Arena.

Grand Rapids and Roseau are perennial powers, but neither team is currently ranked.

The Broncos close the regular season Friday at home against Fort Frances on Parent’s Night, while the Section 7A tournament begins Feb. 23. The Broncos won’t play until the second round on Feb. 25.

Mike Hart took both losses in goal for the Broncos.

In other important Section 7A action from Tuesday, Hibbing/Chisholm defeated Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl 3-2 in overtime and Hermantown crushed Duluth Cental 7-1.

Game notes

• The Todd Lepper Memorial Scholarship was presented to Broncos senior Jon McDonald before Tuesday’s game. Lepper was a standout athlete for Falls High School and played football, baseball and was a sophomore defenseman on the 1983 state tournament hockey team. The scholarship is awarded annually to the senior boys hockey player that best exemplifies Lepper’s athletic ability and all-around character and it’s chosen by a team vote.

• University of Minnesota Duluth head men’s hockey coach Scott Sandelin was in attendance at Bronco Arena during Friday’s game.

Roseau 3, I. Falls 0

R 1 1 1—3

IF 0 0 0—0

First period — R, Taylor Hedlund (Kevin Erickson), 9:06.

Second period — R, Cole Kostrzewski (Shane Omdahl), 6:44.

Third period — R, Trevor Baumgartner (Josh Erickson, Omdahl), PP, 5:22.

Goalies — R, Ethan Kvidt, 18 saves; IF, Mike Hart, 28 saves.

Friday’s result

Grand Rapids 4,

I. Falls 0

GR 2 0 2—4

IF 0 0 0—0

First period — GR, John Skrbec (A.J. Merritt, Travis Underwood), SH, 5:46; GR, Patrick Moore (Skrbec), 10:14.

Second period — No scoring.

Third period — GR, Zach Dick (Mickey Mendoza), 7:13; GR, Merritt (Moore, Skrbec), 13:56.

Goalies — GR, Dom DeGuiseppi, 23 saves; IF, Mike Hart, 39 saves.

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