Three Goal Third Period Carries Otter Boys Past Northern Lakes
It took the Fergus Falls boys’ hockey team 93 minutes and 3 seconds to score their first goal of the season, but when Kellen Stenstrom found the back of the net on a rebound shot to tie the game at 1-1 at 8:03 of the third period on Tuesday night in Pequot Lakes, the Otters found some confidence in the offensive zone and finished strong with two more goals for a 3-1 win over Northern Lakes. Stenstrom’s goal was assisted by Shane Zierden.
Zierden got the game winner at 13:35 when he took a pace from Brayden Nelson and side-stepped a defender at the Northern Lakes blue line and buried the puck in the upper left corner of the net. With 1:29 remaining in the game the Otters put the game away when Stenstrom took a pass from Zierden and put the puck into the empty net as the Lightning had pulled their goalie.
After giving up a goal just 1:30 into the game on a breakaway by Kolbe Severson, Ben Swanson was unbeatable. He stopped a couple of first period breakaways and maintained his composure in the net throughout several challenges by Lightning attackers.
Head Coach Mike Donaghue applauded the play of Colin Becker, Leighton Buckmeier, Ethan McGuiness and Sam Dirkman on the blue line.
The Otters continue their five game road trip to start the season with a pair of Central Lakes Conference contests next week, Tuesday at Sartell and Thursday in Sauk Rapids.
Celebrating the Empty Net Goal to wrap up a 3-1 Road Win. PHOTO by MELISSA BABOLIAN
Shane Zierden is tied up after releasing the shot that put the game winning goal in the back of the net. PHOTO by MELISSA BABOLIAN
Kellen Stenstrom Celebrates his Empty Net Goal. PHOTO by MELISSA BABOLIAN
