Photo by Cameron Carlson
Devils Lake boys’ hockey keeps scratching out wins.
The Firebirds continued their strong start to the season with a 3-2 win over West Fargo on the road Tuesday night. It was Devils Lake’s third consecutive victory and fifth in its first six games of the season.
With nine points in the standings, the Firebirds are tied with Grand Forks Red River for first place in the EDC, as of Wednesday.
Like most of their wins, though, they had to fight for it on Tuesday. West Fargo had more shots on goal than Devils Lake, 34-26. After neither team scored in the first period, the Packers took a 1-0 lead at the 1:26 mark in the second period.
Weston Nelson tied it up at 14:45. He had assists from Thomas Leevers and Weston Stromme. It was Nelson’s team-leading sixth goal.
West Fargo retook the lead, 2-1, at 9:28 in the third period.
The Firebirds were less than three minutes from taking a loss.
At the 14:14 mark in the third period, Nash Riggin scored a goal to tie it at 2-2. Braxton Boline and Nelson had assists. The sophomore Riggin found the net for the third time this season.
Knotted up with just a few minutes left in regulation, it had the makings of an overtime contest. But at the 16:47 mark — just 13 seconds before the end of the third period — Stromme scored for Devils Lake on assists from Hayden Volk and Jackson Schumacher.
The junior Stromme is Devils Lake’s top returning point-getter from last year. The goal was his fifth of the season, behind only his fellow Weston, Nelson, on the team. Nelson and Stromme each have seven assists so far.
Schumacher is also tied for the team lead with seven assists.
After taking a 3-2 lead, the Firebirds held on in the final 13 seconds to come out with a gutsy win.
All five goals in the game, between the two teams, were scored with even strength. West Fargo went to the penalty box twice, once in the first period and once in the third. Devils Lake went to the box just once, with a tripping violation on Nelson at 5:50 in the third period.
Goalkeeper Matt Graue had 32 saves in 34 chances, good for a 94.1% save rate. Graue has taken over nicely for all-state goalie Brody Forsberg. Through six games, he’s made 150 saves in 170 chances for a percentage of 88.2.
West Fargo was ranked No. 5 in the EDC preseason coaches poll, while Devils Lake was ranked No. 7. The Packers are the highest-ranked EDC team the Firebirds have beaten so far this year.
Perhaps Devils Lake’s toughest task yet is scheduled for this Thursday, barring any weather cancellations. Grand Forks Red River — tied for the top spot with Devils Lake — comes to town.
The Roughriders were ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll. They’re 4-2 overall and 3-1 in EDC play. Devils Lake is 5-1 overall and 3-1 in EDC play. The squads will be playing for sole possession of first place.
The best team Devils Lake has played so far is Central. That was the one game the Firebirds lost, although it was a fairly competitive 5-3 affair.
The Firebirds and Roughriders are scheduled to square off at 7 p.m. Thursday at Burdick Arena.
