MORA— Ely’s sluggish start to the hockey season continued this past Saturday as the Timberwolves fell to 1-3 on the season on a 3-1 loss here to Mora/Milaca. The graduation of some of last year’s top scorers has definitely limited Ely’s offensive firepower, at least in the early going this season.
Mora took the lead at the 11-minute mark of the first period, and added two more in second to lead 3-0. That’s where the scoring remained until the 8:18 mark of the third period, when Cooper Mayranen scored an even-strength goal with an assist from Hunter Halbakken.
Mora peppered Ely goalie Ben Leeson with 31 shots on goal, compared to a relatively anemic 15 shots by the Wolves.
Ely played shorthanded much of the game as they were hauled to the box a total of ten times for a total of 20 minutes. Jayden Zemke spent ten minutes sidelined on five minor infractions, including interference, holding, high-sticking, and twice for roughing. Jace Huntbatch was tagged twice for hooking and cross-checking.
The Wolves notched their first win of the season in the first game of their two-game series with Mora last Friday. Owen Marolt exploded for four goals in the game, including while Ely was playing short-handed in the third period. Jace Huntbatch added the only other goal for Ely, with an assist from Alex Merriman, as the Wolves outpaced Mora 5-2. Huntbach notched assists on two of Marolt’s scores.
Mora took an early lead in the contest and led 1-0 through the first period, but Marolt quickly put the Wolves in the driver’s seat with goals at the 3:21, 11:45, and 16:06 marks of the second period. Huntbatch and Rhett Johnson both added assists.
Huntbatch added a fourth goal for the Wolves early in the third, with an assist from Merriman, before Marolt iced the cake with just over five minutes to play.
Ely put a season-high 36 shots on goal in the contest, while Mora posted 28 shots on target. Leeson turned 26 of them aside for a .929 save percentage.
Penalties weren’t much of a factor in the game as Ely players spent a total of just eight minutes in the box.
In earlier action this season, the Wolves opened with a 7-1 loss to Moose Lake on Nov. 30, followed by a 5-2 loss to North Shore on Dec. 3.
The Wolves were set to host International Falls this past Tuesday, but Ely postponed the matchup to give players time to rest and heal from injuries. They’re expected to return to the road on Saturday with a 2 p.m. contest at Lake of the Woods. They should be back home next Thursday, Dec. 19, to host Greenway.