A pair of early leads turned into two loses late last week for International Falls’ boys hockey team.
On Friday, two goals by Erik Lassila gave the Broncos a 2-0 lead after the opening period at Virginia. But Falls would score no more as the Blue Devils scored twice in the second period and three times in the third to defeat the Broncos, 5-2.
Then at home on Saturday, the Falls’ Mason Meyer broke a scoreless tie on a goal assisted by Brett Musich with 11:38 to play in the second period, before Thief River Falls scored five unanswered goals to defeat the Broncos, 5-1.
“We’re playing good hockey for one period, and it’s a three-period game,” said Falls head coach Bruce Elson. “We need to come out and play for three periods with intensity and with desire, and what’s happening is we’re letting up and allowing the teams to come back.”
The two losses dropped the Broncos’ season record to 4-3. Elson said the players need to get mentally back into the game.
“Right now we’re playing physical, but were not playing mental hockey,” he said.
Broncos goalie Wes Gunnerson made 55 saves over the two games. The advantage in shots of goal shifted in both games as they progressed.
In the game against Virginia, Falls held an 11-4 shot advantage after the first period. However, the Blue Devils ended up outshooting the Broncos, 33-18.
Thief River Falls, which scored four second-period goals in a span of less than 5 minutes, outshot the Falls, 32-19.
“That hurts us,” Elson said. “Our guys get down, and they’ve got to find a way to come back.”
At the end of Saturday’s game, a traveling trophy for the winner between the two teams was presented to the Prowler players.
The Broncos return to action Friday night with a road game against Silver Bay/Cook County.
Virginia 5, I. Falls 2
I. Falls 2 0 0 — 2
Virginia 0 2 3 — 5
TRF 5, I. Falls 1
TRF 0 4 1 — 5
I. Falls 0 1 0 — 1
