Big game. Big rival. Big night.

All those interview fragments from players and coaches accurately described the atmosphere as Moorhead celebrated 50 years of hockey with a 6-2 victory over rival Roseau at the Moorhead Sports Center Saturday night. 

And yet, those descriptions still felt shallow. This night was so much more for the entire community.

Moorhead’s current and ex-NHL players, alumni from past teams and hundreds of youth players were on hand, packing the rink in a way not seen in at least a decade. 

They were there to help celebrate five decades of Spuds' hockey, a stretch that has included producing six NHL players, 14 state tournament berths and a record seven runner-up finishes. Minnesota governor Mark Dayton even declared it “Moorhead Spuds Hockey Day.”

Between periods, Moorhead’s first varsity team (1964-65) and its first state tournament qualifier (1992) were honored with standing ovations. Nashville Predators’ center Matt Cullen and retired NHL players Brian Lee, Ryan Kraft and Jason Blake - all former Spuds - signed autographs for kids behind the goal in one end.

No pressure, right?

Well, it may have been amped up further after 1964-65 team captain Dave Brunsvold gave the team an impromptu pep talk during pregame introductions. He wanted a win to cap the day of partying.

“That was awesome,” laughed junior Jack Fahrendorf, who tallied the game-winner midway through the second period to erase a 2-2 tie.

Fahrendorf has a knack for scoring big goals against the Rams. He scored twice in the first meeting in Roseau on Dec. 9, leading a 4-2 Moorhead victory.

“When the puck is on his stick, good things happen,” said Spuds coach Jon Ammerman, a 2005 Moorhead graduate who came back home two years ago after a coaching stint at Windom.

Ammerman marveled at the standing-room-only crowd, which harkened back to his playing days. His senior season was Moorhead's fifth straight appearance at state and the town was rocking for its Spuds.

“For these guys to be part of that tradition of packing the house, they deserve it,” said Ammerman, who added that he hoped the crowd saw plenty it liked and would be back again.

Senior defenseman Will Borgen, who had a goal and two assists Saturday night, compared it to the atmosphere of a section final atmosphere.

“I think it was special playing in front of the older guys who had done so much before us,” Borgen said.

It was also nerve-wracking, as both Ammerman and Roseau coach Andy Lundbohm said their teams had early game jitters.

Roseau took advantage first with Bryden Stoskopf and Hunter O’Leary scoring on either side of a goal by Moorhead’s Eli Johnson to give the Rams a 2-1 lead.

“We were hoping they had the pressure on their side,” Lundbohm said. “But as it turns out, we kind of felt that pressure, too.”

Alex Mehnert tied the game on a smooth-passing play with 2:28 left in the opening period, one-timing a pass from Borgen. That set the stage for Fahrendorf’s heroics.

“I finally popped one in and then momentum kept going from there,” Fahrendorf said.

Still, Moorhead held just a 3-2 lead heading into the third period, but goals from Codee Brace and Borgen in the first 3 minutes put the game out of reach. Seth Benson added a late goal.

“We came out with energy and our guys responded well,” Ammerman said.

Not to mention removing the burden of celebrating 50 years of hockey history with a victory. 

Will Borgen and Jack Fahrendorf each had a goal and two assists as Moorhead roared past Roseau 6-2 in a Mariucci Conference game at the Moorhead Sports Center Saturday night.

The Spuds (11-6-2, 3-2-0), ranked No. 17 in the Class 2A coaches poll, capped a full-day celebration of the 50th anniversary of hockey in Moorhead with a comeback victory, scoring five unanswered goals after Roseau (9-9-1, 2-4-0) had taken a 2-1 lead in the first period.

Alex Mehnert started the rally, one-timing a pass from defensive partner Borgen with 2:28 left in the first period to even the score 2-2.

Fahrendorf’s goal midway through the second period gave Moorhead the lead for good. It was his third goal in two games against Roseau this winter.

Spuds’ goaltender Jacob Dittmer finished with 19 saves, while William Woolever stopped 30 for Roseau.

The Rams’ Bryden Stoskopf and Hunter O’Leary each had a goal for Roseau.

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