Lucas Magnusson slammed home a centering pass 2:38 into an eight-minute sudden-death overtime period to complete a come-from-behind effort that netted Thief River Falls a 4-3 Section 8A boys high school hockey win over rival Warroad Thursday.
The Prowlers trailed 3-1 when Sam Moorhead popped in a long rebound while Warroad was killing a penalty at 3:52 of the third period.
However, Thief River Falls brought the Ralph Engelstad Arena crowd to its feet by scoring two goals in a 15-second span.
Michael Johnson scored a quick four seconds into a power play opportunity to make it 3-2 at 11:58 and a mere 15 seconds later linemate Ethan Johnson finished off a fast Thief River Falls rush down the ice for the equalizer – prompting an equally quick Warroad time-out.
The only shot on goal in overtime found the back of the net as Magnusson scored from close range while standing next to Warroad goalie Parker Orchard.
“I was very pleased with our guys and their ability to come back,” said Thief River Falls coach Tim Bergland. “You find out who wants to play in big games.”
First goal of the night came from the Prowlers’ Zach Lee, who scored on a tip-in at 6:29 of the opening period.
Fed the puck in front of the net, Warroad forward Max Oelkers did a little stickhandling before tucking the puck behind Thief River Falls goalie Kade Nelson for a tie at 12:20 of the first period.
Just 55 seconds before the first intermission, the visitors went ahead 2-1 when Moorhead quickly turned a centering pass into a goal.
“We got off to the start we wanted, but made some key mistakes that gave them lots of life,” noted Bergland. “They capitalized and were able to get the lead.”
The win completed a home-and-home series sweep for the Prowlers, who won a 2-0 Dec. 15 game at The Gardens. Thief River Falls improved to 12-4. Warroad fell to 6-11.
“They (Warroad) played hard, as always,” said Bergland. “It was a great learning game for our guys.”
Scoring
First period – TRF, Zach Lee (Kris Joppru), 6:29; Warroad, Max Oelkers (Beau Wilmer, Bobby Astrup), 12:20; Warroad, Sam Moorhead (Kip Knutson, Dryden Thompson), 16:05.
Third period – Warroad, Moorhead (Max Marvin), 3:52; TRF, Michael Johnson (Brendan Bushy, Lucas Magnusson), 11:58; TRF, Ethan Johnson (Michael Johnson, Lucas Magnusson), 12:13.
Overtime – TRF, Magnusson (Michael Johnson, Wyatt Ortloff), 2:38.
Goalie saves – TRF, Kade Nelson 8-9-5-0–22; Warroad, Parker Orchard 11-9-11-0–31.