Swanson and Fee lead Crookston past Detroit Lakes

Crookston used a consistent breakout and dominated attack zone time in a 3-1 Section 8A girls hockey victory over Detroit Lakes Monday, March 8 at Kent Freeman Arena.

All four goals were scored in the second period, the first three by the Pirates.

Reese Swanson picked up a loose puck that got by two Lakers at their own blue line and skated in all alone on DL goalie Leah Honer giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead with a wrist shot from the slot.

An immediate tripping penalty on Haley Stattelman gave Crookston one of seven power play chances in the game. Detroit Lakes managed to kill all seven. The Pirates matched that effort, killing off five penalties in the game, including a big two-man advantage for DL at the end of the game.

Swanson went to the box for checking at the 10:25 mark of the second period. Crookston’s forecheck kept the Lakers hemmed in and the Pirates quickly cleared the zone on DL’s three offensive attempts to set up.

Stattelman got in on net driving near post at the end of the power play but was denied by Crookston goalie Kailee Magsam.

After a busted play at the Laker blue line, Swanson corralled the puck and drove down the left wing, finding Addie Fee in front of the net for an easy goal that Honer had no chance of stopping at 13:20.

The duo repeated the act in the final minute with Swanson skating around the back of the Laker net and Fee parked out front untouched for the 3-0 lead.

Off the ensuing faceoff at center ice, Emma Coley skated in deep and scored on a tough angle right of the net at the goal line with 30 seconds left in the period to keep DL in the game.

Crookston committed three penalties in a four-minute span in the third period, including the late 5-on3 chance for DL but the Lakers could not get the puck past Magsam.

The Pirates had a distinct edge in shots 39-13. Magsam made 12 stops to earn the victory. Honer was excellent in net making 36 saves, a handful at point blank range.

Crookston swept the season series and improved to 8-9-1.

Detroit Lakes (8-7) plays at home against Thief River Falls (8-5-1) to conclude the regular season Friday, March 12.

Crookston 3, Detroit Lakes 1

CR 0 3 0 - 3

DL 0 1 0 - 1

CR - Reese Swanson

CR - Addie Fee (Reese Swanson)

CR - Addie Fee (Reese Swanson)

DL - Emma Coley

Saves: CR - Kailee Magsam 12; DL - Leah Honer 36.