DETROIT LAKES — Detroit Lakes celebrated senior night with a 5-1 win over Wadena-Deer Creek in the first of two Mid-State Conference matchups between the two teams.
The Lakers (12-4) came into the night looking like the team that had just won 11 of their last 13 games. It only took a little over five minutes into the first period for Detroit Lakes senior captain Spencer Bergman to find the back of the net for the first goal of the game. Cooper Moore and Jordan Fields would both register assists on the play.
A little over a minute later, Cooper Moore slid a brilliant pass over to Jacob Thomas in the high-left slot, who buried it top left corner over Wolverine sophomore goaltender Gunner Olson. Fields assisted on the goal for his second point of the night to put Detroit Lakes up 2-0.
The Lakers controlled the offensive zone for the majority of the first period, which led to a WDC cross-checking penalty. Detroit Lakes scored on the first power play of the game when Cooper Moore goal found the back of the net. Bergman picked up the assist on the play.
Wolverine goaltender Gunner Olson finished the first period with nine saves on 12 shots. WDC only registered three shots on Laker goalie Elijah Blow in the period.
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The Lakers jumped to a 4-0 lead after a quick faceoff win on the first power play of the second period. Fields set Moore up for his second goal of the night. The Wolverines would bite back with their only goal of the game six minutes into the frame. Junior MJ Lunde buried a breakaway opportunity past the right leg pad of Blow.
The momentum from the goal was short-lived. It only took a minute for the Lakers to respond with what would be the final goal of the night. Fields came through with another faceoff win, and sent the puck back to senior defenseman Eli Denardo. He buried a shot from the point to put the Lakers up 5-1, which would prove to be the final after a scoreless third period.
"Rarely have we been upset with this group as they come to play every night," said Wolverine's head coach Scott Woods. "We reminded them they can play with top teams if they play the way they are capable, playing with poise and not afraid to make a mistake rather than throw the puck around! The players responded extremely well, playing the second period giving up two goals and scoring one while killing off a 5 minute penalty and not allowing a goal in that time."
Olson finished the night with 31 saves on 36 shots. Blow finished the night with 15 saves on 16 shots.
"It was a good learning experience to play faster and trust yourself to maintain possession of the puck," Woods said.
The Lakers next game will be Friday, Jan. 28 in Baudette against Lake of the Woods at 6 p.m.
The Wolverines have now lost three of their last four games. They will face off against a tough Fergus Falls team in Wadena on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m.
