Second-seeded Broncos like their chances in Section 7A tournament
International Falls has one major victory this season — a 5-3 win Feb. 4 on the road at No. 14 Hibbing-Chisholm.
The second-seeded Broncos racked up 14 more victories and enter the Section 7A tournament with a 15-8-2 mark, but every other outcome against a big-time opponent this season ended in a tie or loss.
“When we finish our checks and we play physical, we can play with anyone,” Broncos head coach John Prettyman said Tuesday after practice. “It seems to get everyone in it.”
International Falls will need everyone in it to win a wide open Section 7A, which doesn’t boast a dominant team or dominant goalie.
No. 6 Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl (15-7-3) grabbed the top seed, but they tied the Broncos in the last meeting and lost to Hibbing-Chisholm (12-10-2) in the regular season finale. Both the Blue Devils and Broncos are 1-2 over their final three regular season games, while the Bluejackets are 2-3. Fourth-seeded Duluth Marshall has the best end-of-the-season record at 2-2, but that includes a 7-2 loss to the Blue Devils. Fifth-seeded Duluth Central backs into the tournament winning one of its last five contests.
“Our chances are as good as anyone’s, and we’re looking forward to playing Thursday and hopefully continuing from there,” Broncos senior captain Willie Corrin said.
The Broncos will open the tournament against the winner between No. 7 Greenway and No. 10 Two Harbors. No score was reported or available by press time Tuesday night.
“We’re going to come out Thursday like it’s the section or state tournament. Life or death,” Corrin said.
Things have gone well for the Broncos this season when they’re physical, but a lack of energy at times has led to shortcomings. The Broncos don’t have a major loss this season that compares to the loss to Greenway last year, and they certainly don’t want to go that route Thursday.
“When we forecheck hard and body up, that’s when it goes good, cause everyone is in it,” Corrin said, nearly echoing his coach. “We just got to keep hitting. That’s the main thing.
“And our goaltender has to show up.”
Prettyman was still undecided on a starting goaltender for Thursday’s game as of Tuesday night. Senior Mike Hart finished the regular season 9-6 with a 1.80 goals against average and .914 save percentage, while junior Glenn Walls was 6-2-2 with a 2.33 GAA and .907 save percentage. However, Walls missed the last two weeks with a groin injury and just returned to practice Tuesday.
The Broncos are hoping a boost in offense will make the play between the pipes less of a factor.
Jordan Christianson is second in the section in scoring with 51 points (20 goals, 31 assists), while Corrin is fourth with 42 points (16G, 26A). Jon McDonald is sixth with 38 points (18G, 20A). No other Broncos are in the top 19.
“I’ve said this before, whoever gets hot this next week will win it all,” Prettyman said. “It’s been that way for years.”
