ELY— It appears International Falls has the Timberwolves’ number. After shutting Ely down 4-0 in the border city on Jan. 6, they did it again on Ely’s home ice, skating away with a 6-0 victory.
The Broncos wasted little time in putting the game away, as they passed the pipes twice in the first seven minutes and added a third goal before the first period was over. They went on to add one in the second and two more in the third.
The Broncos kept Ely goalie Lewis Powell busy as he tried to defend the onslaught of 51 shots on goal. By contrast, the Wolves managed just ten. Ely did outpace the Broncos in one category — penalties — as they racked up six minors to four for the Falls. Jayden Zemke was tapped twice for slashing and tripping, while Owen Marolt was tagged for interference and roughing.
Playing in Bagley on Saturday, the Flyers lit the lamp seven seconds into the first period and never looked back as they easily outpaced the Wolves 8-1. The Flyers added two more in the first, both on power plays, and added four more in the second and a final goal in the third.
Sean Merriman scored Ely’s only goal of the night, at the end of the second period. The Wolves played a relatively clean game, with only two minor penalties on the night, along with a major assessed against Rhett Johnson for roughing.
But the Flyers dominated on the ice as they peppered Powell with 41 shots on goal. The Wolves managed just 14.
The Wolves had more success against Wadena last Friday, outpacing the Wolverines 6-3.
Wadena got on the board first with a goal late in the first period. But Ely rebounded midway through the second as Cooper Mayranen lit the lamp at the 9:25 mark with an assist from Hunter Halbakken. The Wolverines answered seven seconds later to reclaim the lead 2-1. But the Wolves flipped the script as Owen Marolt tied the score 17 seconds later, with a Jayden Zemke assist. Rhett Johnson put the Wolves up top at the 11:08 mark, again with help from Zemke, on a power play and Sean Merriman piled on 12 seconds later, also on the power play.
Lucas Stalboerger made it 5-2 three-and-a-half minutes into the third period. Wadena closed the gap to 5-3 less than a minute later, but Marolt added insurance at the 8:20 mark of the final stanza, again on a power play. Referees nabbed the Wolves on six penalties, but only one proved costly.
Despite the win, the Wolverines outshot Ely 41-38, but a .927 save percentage by Henry Fetterer made the difference for Ely.
The Wolves ended play on Tuesday with a 4-8 record. They were set to host North Shore on Thursday night and travel to Baudette to take on the Bears on Friday. They’ll stay on the road next Tuesday to take on Proctor.