“Execution wasn’t fantastic today,” said Head Coach Tim Lill of the Otters.  “We need to play tougher and win more of the battles for the puck.  We are getting things done on the forecheck and causing turnovers, but we’re not getting anything done with those turnovers.”

Crookston took a 1-0 lead with a 5-on-3 power play goal from Reese Swanson at 5:39 of the opening period.  Brynley Coleman earned the assist.  Fergus Falls pulled even at 8:56 when McKenzie Sjolie scored her first goal of the year from Maddie Brimhall.  The Otter had a 5-on-3 power play for a little over a minute late in the period, but failed to capitalize on the advantage.

The two teams played a scoreless second period.

Ana Jyrkas stopped 24 shots in the Fergus Falls net, but the Otters were held to just 4 shots on goal over the final 17 minutes.

The Otters (2-3-1) will host Thief River Falls on Friday night and East Grand Forks on Saturday afternoon at the Community Ice Arena in Fergus Falls.