With just 23 seconds left on the third period clock, Nick Regeimbal scored a power play goal to put Crookston on the board against Thief River Falls. The most surprising thing was, the Prowlers were still not on the board as the Pirates took down the No. 6 team in Class A.
Pirate goaltender Nick Biermaier turned away all 30 shots he faced, while arguably the best goaltender in Section 8A Zane Gothberg stopped 20-of-21 shots.
Crookston is now 6-14-1 on the season and 2-7 in section play, while Thief River Falls is 14-6 overall and 5-2 in the section.
"It was an emotional victory," said head coach Jon Bittner, who went on to add about the goal, "I didn't see much of it because I didn't have my glasses on. When everybody raised their arms I followed suit. It as a power play opportunity and we were fortunate enough to capitalize on it."
It's the old cliché , "When these two teams play you can throw out the records." But it's a cliché for a reason.
"It was a very typical Section 8A hockey game in January and February. The scores are closer and lineups are set. Everybody knows each other. It makes for excellent hockey for fans."
Bittner went on to say how much fun he had coaching the game.
"[Thief River Falls] is an excellent hockey team," he said. "They're well coached and physically strong. We like to play them because their class all the way through. The game was a chess match with different adjustments. It was a lot of fun to coach."
After two scoreless periods of hockey and Thief River Falls holding a 21-9 shot advantage, it would seem to be only a matter of time before the Prowlers got one past Biermaier and the Pirates.
However, Crookston persevered and all its hard work paid off when Alex Prudhomme found Regeimbal with a pass and Regeimbal recorded his sixth goal of the season.
Talk about going from one extreme to the other.
In their last game against another rival, East Grand Forks, the Pirates were dealt a heartbreaking defeat in overtime at the grand opening of their new home.
Now, just five days later, they take down the No. 6 ranked team in Class A.
Crookston will face Superior, Wisc. today at the Crookston Sports Center. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.
Coach Bittner said the teams was missing Alex and Ryan Edevold because of an accident their father had.
"Mark had an accident at home and is in the hospital," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him. This game game was for Mark, Jackie, Alex and Ryan."
