On Saturday, Dec. 22, the Moose took on their rival from across the Mississippi, the co-op team from Becker-Big Lake. It was a well attended game, with only standing room available. The Moose were trying for a win after two close losses earlier in the week.
To start off the game, the Moose would score at 6:35 with a goal from Robbie Stromme assisted by Oliver Winsor and Mark Rieger-Borer. With the 1-0 lead, the Moose would be put on the penalty kill after a 5 minute major penalty. The Eagles were able to capitalize on this advantage, when they scored at four minutes into the penalty. With the period coming to an end, the Moose desired one more goal for the lead. Sam Johnson took the lead with two minutes left having some assistance from Colton Jones and Reese Carstens.
Going into the second the Moose knew they had to stay out of the box and put the puck in the net. Right away in the second at 3:05, Tyler Mros passed the puck to Carstens, who then shot the puck into the far left corner for the 3-1 lead.
Just 20 seconds later, Winsor backhanded the puck into the net off of a pass from Rieger-Borer. With the 4-1 lead the Eagles took a timeout. That timeout proved well when the Eagles scored to make the score 4-2. Despite a series of penalties and being down men, the Moose’s Carstens scored a shorthanded goal to make it a three goal lead. Then a minute later, Stromme got a pass from Rieger-Borer and Winsor, which Stromme put in the net for the 6-2 lead.
With a four goal lead going into the third, a Moose win was in sight. At 3:24, Rieger-Borer sent the puck into the net off of a pass from Patrick Splinter and Spencer Nelson. Sixteen seconds later, Rieger-Borer would score again assisted by Stromme. With a six goal lead the Moose would capture the 8-2 victory. After a string of close games, a win was just what the Moose needed.
■ During the holiday break, the Moose traveled north to Fergus Falls for a Holiday Tournament. The series of games went well for the team. The first game the Moose lost to the home team, Fergus Falls 5-0. Their second game on Friday the Moose were able to overcome West Fargo, ND with a score of 5-3. The final game of the tournament was against Park Rapids, which was unfortunately lost 2-1 in a shoot out.
■ The Moose play at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, vs. Brainerd-Pillage at Monticello High School. They play Prairie Centre at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 8, also at Monticello High School.