Jacob Jaremko scored three goals as Elk River defeated Grand Rapids 5-4 in the final round of the Edina Holiday Classic Friday night at Braemar Ice Arena. 

“I guess sometimes your team needs someone to step up, and I try to be that guy,” Jaremko said.

Jaremko was the guy the Elks needed in a back-and-forth battle between Class 2A, Section 7 rivals.

The senior forward gave Elk River, ranked No. 6 in the Class 2A coaches poll, a 1-0 lead with less than 3 minutes to play in the first period, scoring on the Elks’ second power-play opportunity of the game.

The Thunderhawks (No. 10-2A) tied the score 30 seconds into the second period when sophomore forward Micah Miller broke away and slid the puck past Elk River sophomore goalie Benjamin Meyers. 

Grand Rapids increased its lead to 2-1 roughly 7 minutes later as a shot by junior forward Gunnar Harris' shot ricocheted off the skate of junior defenseman Daulton Anderson and into the goal.

Jaremko pulled the Elks even with under 4 minutes remaining in the period, scoring his second power-play goal of the game and shifting momentum to Elk River.

Senior forward Peter Jones then converted off a Jaremko pass, giving the Elks a 3-2 lead.

The Elks couldn’t hold onto the lead, however, and the Thunderhawks scored with 38 seconds remaining when sophomore defenseman John Stampohar maneuvered around the front of the net and tallied the goal that tied the game for a third time. 

Elk River coach Gordie Roberts didn’t say much in the Elks locker room between the second and third periods, Jaremko said.

“He didn’t need to say much,” Jaremko added. “We knew how big of a game it was. We knew we didn’t have a good start. We came back after that.”

Not before the Thunderhawks regained the lead.

Junior forward Mitchell Mattson tallied a goal 1:30 into the third period, putting Grand Rapids up 4-3 and chasing Meyers from the game. 

Elk River subbed in senior goalie Chase Gauthier, and the move seemed to be the 10-second break the Elks needed.

Jaremko tied the game again, netting a goal less than 2 minutes after the swap and completing the hat trick.

“(Jaremko) is a leader in offense,” Roberts said. “It’s nice for him that there’s a lot of opportunities for him to skate and gain ice. He probably would’ve had a few more goals if he hit the net a couple more times.”

With the game tied, the Elks pushed everything on goal and junior defenseman Matt Keirsted took advantage, sliding in a shot to increase Elk Rivers’ lead to 5-4.

“It was coming from the net. I just jumped on it shot it and it bounced off a couple guys into the net,” Kiersted said.  

Kiersted then ended up in the penalty box for slashing, but the Elks overcame playing shorthanded to escape with a victory.

“We knew it was going to be one-goal game, and the kids came back and kept plugging away,” Roberts said.

Kiersted was pleased with the victory.

“It’s good, especially being 0-2 (in this year’s tournament), and the last couple years we haven’t done too well in this tournament,” Kiersted said.

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