Elk River sophomores Jax Murray and Ben Meyers may be young, but this version of the M & M boys have plenty of big-game experience.

The pair led the Elk River Bantam AA team to a fourth-place finish at last year’s state tournament, and they helped the Elks varsity team avoid a loss to section rival on Saturday.

Murray scored the game-tying goal late in the third period and Meyers kept the Greyhounds from scoring in overtime as Elk River and Duluth East played to a 1-1 tie in a matchup at the Elk River Arena.

The tie gives the Elks, ranked No. 6 in the Class 2A coaches poll, a 4-0-1 record against section foes, while the Greyhounds have a 4-1-2 record.

Murray's goal came on the power play as he slapped a rebound past Duluth East goaltender Gunnar Howg to even the score 1-1 with 2:32 remaining in the game. 

The contest then went to overtime, where Meyers made five saves to preserve the tie. He finished the game with 33 saves.

Murray is no stranger to scoring clutch goals, tallying the game-winner in overtime of the Elks’ season-opening victory against Wayzata. 

Murray’s heightened play in close games is all but guaranteed, Meyers said.

“When you get (the puck) to him in the slot, he’ll make sure he scores,” Meyers added. 

Murray had more than 70 goals for the Elk River Bantam AA team last season. 

Meyers also said finding the motivation to elevate his game is not difficult when the opponent is Duluth East.

“It’s a huge rivalry when we play,” Meyers said. “It was a fun game. I love playing Duluth East.”

Murray said his goal against the ‘Hounds is the kind he often contributes on the Elks’ power-play unit. 

“Our power play gets a lot of shots for rebounds,” Murray said. “I’m always on the backdoor.”

Murray’s puck-handling down low is key to the Elks’ power-play success, Elk River coach Gordie Roberts said. 

“He’s got real good hands around the net,” Roberts said. 

Murray goal scoring is evident. He is third on team with 13 goals and 33 points

With Murray taking care of the offense, Meyers held his own against the trigger-happy ‘Hounds.

Shots came flying at Meyers from every angle, which kept him on his toes.

“I just have to make sure I do the little things,” said Meyers, who has 9-2-1 record this season. 

Murray and Meyers are spearheading the Elks’ youth movement, as 10 underclassmen fill out the varsity roster.  

Roberts said Saturday’s game, which was a rematch of last season’s Class 2A, Section 7 finals won by Duluth East 3-2 in overtime, provided Elk River’s young players with an opportunity to experience the type of atmosphere found in the postseason.

“It’s nice to have a test during the regular season,” Roberts said. “To prepare the kids for the pressure these section games will (have)."

Elk River sophomore goalie Ben Meyers finished with 33 saves as Elks and Duluth East skated to a 1-1 overtime draw in a matchup between Class 2A, Section 7 rivals at the Elk River Arena on Saturday.

The Greyhounds (10-9-2) took a 1-0 lead 2 minutes into the second period as freshman defenseman Garrett Worth let fly a wrist shot from a bad angle, sending the puck floating over Meyers’s blocker. 

Jax Murray scored the equalizer on a power play with 2:32 left in regulation for the Elks (16-4-1), ranked No. 6 in the Class 2A coaches poll. The sophomore forward banged a rebound past Duluth East senior goalie Gunnar Howg, who sprawled out to try to make the save. Senior forward Jake Jaremko and junior defenseman Matt Kiersted earned assists on the goal. 

Howg ended the night with 34 saves for the Greyhounds.

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