Expectations are as high as ever for the Broncos girls hockey program.
Not as high as they are in Roseau, but International Falls head coach Gerald Bolstad would one day like to boast about a program that can consistently compete against the Rams, the defending Section 8AA champs.
“I want to make steps so the program is on par with Roseau’s,” Bolstad said.
Roseau (1-0) proved its prowess Tuesday night in a 7-1 win against the Broncos in the season opener at Bronco Arena. The Rams outshot the Broncos 45-11 and looked like a team in midseason form.
“We’re pretty proud of our girls,” Rams head coach Brian Bergstrom said, noting his team is full of multi-sport athletes this season.
Katlyn Byfuglien had two goals and an assist, Ciscely Nelson chipped in with two goals, Adelle Murphy dished out three assists and Abby Ness, a St. Cloud State recruit and the younger sister of Golden Gopher Aaron Ness, finished with a goal and an assist.
“She just opens up the ice so nice,” Bergstrom said about Ness. “She makes everyone better.”
The Rams, who finished 23-5-0 a season ago, lost only four seniors from last year’s team, including St. Cloud State recruit Amy Olson, who finished with over 60 points.
“We’re not going to have another 65-pointer out there for us, but we’ll have a lot of 40-pointers,” Bergstrom said.
The Broncos (0-1) were outshot 30-5 and trailed 3-0 going into the third period, but got the first goal of the season from Hillary Fox to cut the lead to 3-1.
“I would’ve taken that if you would’ve told me before the game,” Bolstad said.
Roseau took over from there, however, posting four goals while holding the Broncos to three shots the rest of the way. The Rams are 18-3 alltime against the Broncos.
“We didn’t adjust to the speed like I hoped we would, but it’s early in the year,” Bolstad said.
One of the lone bright spots for the Broncos was goalie Taylar Nelson, who finished with 38 saves, including a breakaway stop on Ness in the second period (see photo). Nelson is coming off a season where she posted a 12-11-3 record with a 3.26 goals against average.
“Taylar played very well tonight and I’m not surprised,” Bolstad said. “She’s a good goalie.”
Game notes
• Roseau finished 2-for-5 on the power play, while the Broncos were 0-for-2.
• The Broncos’ first shot on goal came with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first period. After getting outshot 19-1 in the first, the Broncos recorded their second shot with 6:40 remaining in the second.
• Although it was the first game for both teams, Roseau had some extra experience after spending the weekend scrimmaging Andover and Warroad.
• In the junior varsity contest, the two teams skated to a 2-2 tie.
Roseau 7, I. Falls 1
R 2 1 4—7
IF 0 0 1—1
First period — R, Katlyn Byfuglien (Gracie Olson, Adelle Murphy), 10:24; R, Abby Ness, 11:58.
Second period — R, Bethany Tangen (Murphy), 2:33.
Third period — IF, Hillary Fox (Bailey Bernard), 2:44; R, Megan Foley (Byfuglien, Olson), PP, 5:29; R, Ciscely Nelson (Karlie Hedlund), 6:14; R, Nelson (Ness), SH, 13:48; R, Byfuglien (Murphy), 15:03.
Goalies — R, Dallas Barry, 10 saves; IF, Taylar Nelson, 38 saves.
