Prowlers end Lakers’ hockey season

Top-seeded Thief River Falls held No. 4 Detroit Lakes to 11 shots on goal in a 4-0 shutout to advance to the Section 8A finals in East Grand Forks Saturday evening.

Prowler senior Michael Johnson scored twice in the game, including what would be the game-winner just 45 seconds into the first period.

DL failed to score on two power play opportunities in the opening 17 minutes.

Johnson added a secondary assist with Brendan Bushy the primary on Ethan Johnson’s tally in the second period at 14:50 sending the game to the third period 2-0 Prowlers.

The Lakers buzzed the net late in the second and remained in contention despite being outshot 25-10 through 34 minutes of game time.

DL goalie Austin Fritz managed to keep DL in the game in the third period. The Prowlers ramped up on both ends of the ice putting a game-high 14 pucks to the net and allowing just one shot by the Lakers.

Christian Larson scored at 11:53 and Michael Johnson added his second in the final minute for the 4-0 final.

Both Michael Johnson and Ethan Johnson had three-point nights.

DL was 0-3 on the man advantage; TRF missed on four opportunities.

Kade Nelson recorded the shutout making 11 saves. Fritz stopped 35 shots.

DL’s season ends with a record of 14-11-2. The Prowlers (21-6) have not allowed a goal in two playoff games.

Thief River Falls will face No. 2 East Grand Forks for the section title Thursday, Feb. 25 at the East Grand Forks Civic Center.

The Green Wave (15-10-2) defeated Warroad 3-2 behind a pair of first period goals from Coby Strauss and a second period game-winner by Braden Shea.

Jarod Reak made 20 saves to earn the victory.

The Prowlers swept the Wave in two games during the regular season 5-0 at home and 4-2 in East Grand Forks.

Laker results

Section 8A hockey semifinals, No. 1 Thief River Falls vs. No. 4 Detroit Lakes, Saturday, Feb. 20.

TRF 1 1 2 - 4

DL  0 0 0 - 0

First period -

1. TRF, Michael Johnson (Ethan Johnson) :45

Second period --

2. TRF, E. Johnson (Brendan Bushy, M. Johnson) 14:50

Third period -

3. TRF, Christian Larson (Blair Lindholm, Kris Joppru) 11:53;

4. TRF, M. Johnson (Bushy) 16:34

Goalie saves -

DL: Austin Fritz 11-12-12 -35;

TRF: Kade Nelson 5-5-1 - 11

EGF 2 1 0 - 3

WAR 1 1 0 - 2

First period -

1. EGF, Coby Stauss 1:59;

2. EGF, Stauss (Trevor Selk, Grant Loven) 4:46;

3. W, Bobby Astrup 15:29

Second period -

4. EGF, Braden Shea (Hunter Olson) 1:19;

5. W, Logan Wallace (Max Oelkers) 16:21

Goalie saves -

EGF: Jarod Reak 4-4-12--20;

W: Noah Harren 10-10-13--33