Boys Hockey: Third period downs Red Wing

Thief River Falls got the best of the Red Wing boys hockey team during the third period Saturday in a 4-1 win in Thief River Falls.

The Wingers (10-9-1, 6-3-1 Missota) went into the final period tied 1-1 but gave up three third period goals to fourth-ranked Thief River Falls (16-3-2).

“We’re not disappointed with the loss,” Red Wing head coach Mike Belisle said. “We know we were in a position to win the game (after two periods). It was a good growing game.”

Senior Marcus Noesen scored the Wingers lone goal.

Austin Odberg led Thief River Falls with two goals and two assists. Logan Engelstad and Riley Soderstrom also tallied goals.

Thief River Falls went into the first intermission leading 1-0 after Engelstad scored at 5 minutes, 32 seconds of the opening period, with assists to Chris Forney and Tanner Nessen.

Red Wing responded in the second period on a goal by Noesen at 4:43 with an assist to senior Jack Strusz. In the third period, Thief River Falls' top line took over, Belisle said.

Odberg scored 12 seconds into the final period after the puck was deflected by a Winger and the goal caught Red Wing off-guard, Belisle said.

“That first one took a little wind out of our sails,” he said.

Soderstrom scored at 3:06 and Odberg scored again at 9:31 to seal the victory. Thief River Falls put 14 shots on Wingers’ goalie Preston Blaney in the third period.

“The main thing in the third I think we were a little worn down, both mentally and physically,” Belisle said. “We still played hard.”

Blaney made 29 saves in the game as Red Wing was outshot 33-24.

The Wingers host Chanhassen Thursday at Prairie Island Arena.

Tags: boys hockey, red wing, sports, prep