Quantcast
skip navigation

Grand Rapids too much for Cloquet

By Jordan Doffing, Hockey Hub staff, 02/26/11, 5:30PM CST

Share

Thunderhawks score four unanswered goals to defeat Cloquet in Section 7AA semis

In the second game of the Section 7AA semifinal double header between Cloquet/Esko/Carlton and Grand Rapids, the outcome was the same but the tone was different. The Lumberjacks tied the game just 22 seconds into the second period at 1-1, but the Thunderhawks regained the lead just over two minutes later and they never looked back.

“Obviously the better team won,” Cloquet coach Dave Esse said. “Their defensemen controlled the play the first two times we played them and there was no difference tonight. They’re just a highly skilled team.”
Grand Rapids went on to score four unanswered goals from that point on, two of which were scored by Christian Pearson.

“This win was huge, it’s another step towards the Excell,” Grand Rapids’ Pearson said. “Coach told us to keep moving our feet and let them take the penalties and our power play really worked out well tonight.”

The Thunderhawks scored two power play goals, both which occurred within the last four minutes of the second period.

“I’m just disappointed we couldn’t capitalize on some of the chances we had because we had some great chances in the first two periods,” coach Esse said. “We also took two very undisciplined penalties and you can’t do that against a highly skilled team.”

The shots were even at nine after the first period but then the Thunderhawks took over and outshot Cloquet 20-9 in the second period en route to an overall edge in shots 38-29.

“Our biggest thing was to get the puck settled down because it seemed to be bouncing and Cloquet played how like we thought with a trap all over the rink,” Grand Rapids coach Bruce LaRoque said. “Once we got that settled down and got some pressure in the offensive zone then I thought we did pretty well.”

Pearson had two goals, one power-play, while Patrick Moore and Jake Bishoff both finished with three assists. Grand Rapids will face Duluth East in the Section 7AA championship game on Thursday, Feb. 3rd in a rematch of a game played in January where East won a barn-burner 2-1.

Three Stars

1. Christian Pearson, Grand Rapids
Pearson scored twice to help his team reach the finals against Duluth East.

2. Patrick Moore, Grand Rapids
Moore assisted on three goals.

3. Dom DeGuiseppi, Grand Rapids
DeGuiseppi stopped 28 of 29 shots. DeGuiseppi will need to play like he did against Cloquet next week in the championship game in order to shut down the powerful Greyhounds.

Statistics, Summary

Regular Season Results

How They've Fared

Scoring Leaders

Spotlight Game Coverage

Recent Stories

  • Five reasons Edina became a state champion

  • By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune 03/11/2024, 9:30am CDT
  • The 14th state championship for Edina/Edina East featured, of course, a hot goalie, but it also came with a list of intangible reasons for success.
  • Read More

Q and A Archive

  • Mean streak

  • By Loren Nelson, MN Hockey Hub editor 12/11/2012, 8:45am CST
  • Hermantown's Neal Pionk plays a throwback style complete with high degree of 'nasty'
  • Read More 1 Comment
  • Quick Q&A: Jake Hill survived the seniors' greeting

  • By Star Tribune 12/06/2012, 12:22am CST
  • South St. Paul hockey defenseman Jake Hill enjoys the holiday season. The senior, who also plays football and baseball, likes it even more once there is snow on the ground. Here is a closer look at Hill:
  • Read More
  • A man for all seasons

  • By Tim Kolehmainen, Breakdown Sports USA 11/14/2012, 2:00pm CST
  • Guidebook sneak peek: Q and A with multisport Hill-Murray standout Zach LaValle
  • Read More
  • Crusader on the climb

  • By Walker Orenstein, MN Hockey Hub staff 08/27/2012, 12:38pm CDT
  • Q and A with St. Cloud Cathedral, Team Great Plains forward Austin Poganski
  • Read More
  • The Big Labosky

  • By Loren Nelson, MN Hockey Hub editor 07/04/2012, 6:49pm CDT
  • Q & A with fast, feisty Benilde-St. Margaret's forward Dan Labosky
  • Read More

Trek to the X

'Overtime' Archives

  • Cats claw to victory

  • By Pete Waggoner, OTSN contributor 12/16/2011, 11:59am CST
  • Eagan impresses in 10-1 over Lakeville North; Edina Holiday Classic report
  • Read More
  • 'Overtime' heroics

  • By Pete Waggoner, OTSN contributor 12/14/2011, 11:59am CST
  • Tim Mueller's goal in extra period lifts Prior Lake over Wayzata
  • Read More
  • Tale of two teams

  • By Pete Waggoner, OTSN contributor 12/12/2011, 11:59am CST
  • Pair of Duluth-area teams are unbeaten and highly ranked but with differing emotions
  • Read More