Bearcats lose to Breck/Wahp, defeat Park Rapids
By David Stewart
The Bearcats varsity hockey team split two away games this week, losing to Breckenridge/Wahpeton, and defeating Park Rapids.
On Friday, Feb. 8, Kittson County Central faced off against the Breckenridge/Wahpeton Blades for the second time this season.
The Blades opened the scoring in the first period with an unassisted power play goal by Bjorn Birkelo. Breckenridge/Wahpeton increased its lead to 2-0 on a goal by Jase Jensen assisted by Jesse Kruse and Thomas Withuski.
In the second period, KCC was plagued by penalties, but succeeded in getting on the scoreboard with a short-handed goal by Adam Gustafson assisted by Trent Peterson.
In the third period, the Blades added another goal when Isaac Wohlers scored, assisted by Thomas Withuski.
KCC 1, Breck/Wahp 3
First period- B/W, Bjorn Birkelo PP (unassisted) B/W, Jase Jensen (Jesse Kruse, Thomas Withuski)
Second period – KCC, Adam Gustafson SH (Trent Peterson)
Third period – B/W, Isaac Wohlers (Thomas Withuski)
Shots- KCC 15-16-14-– 45 ; B/W 12-5-3 –20
Penalties – KCC 7 ( 17 minutes); B/W 3 (6 minutes)
Saves – KCC, Wyatt Olsonawski- 17; B/W, Hunter Wamre-44
On Saturday, Feb. 9, KCC played the Park Rapids Panthers for the second time this season. The Bearcats opened the scoring in the first period at 9:59 on a goal by Luke Misson, assisted by Adam Gustafson, and Calvin Hanson.
In the second period, KCC added a goal by Gunner Klein at 12:47, assisted by Hayden Hennen, making the score 2-0.
In the third period at 13:20, Park Rapids cut the lead to 2-1 on a goal by Cody Sagen, assisted by Jack Slagle. Kittson County Central responded at 16:20 with an unassisted empty-net power play goal by Calvin Hanson. Hanson added an additional empty-net goal at 16:50, assisted by Adam Gusfafson and Hayden Hennen to give the Bearcats a 4-1 victory.
KCC 4, Park Rapids 1
First period –KCC, Luke Misson (Adam Gustafson, Calvin Hanson)
Second period- KCC, Gunner Klein (Hayden Hennen)
Third Period – PR, Cody Sagen (Jack Slagle) KCC, Hanson PP EN (unassisted); KCC, Hanson EN (Gustafson, Hennen)
Shots- KCC 8-12-17 – 37, PR 12-8-6 – 26
Penalties KCC 4 (8 minutes) PR 7 (14 minutes)
Saves – KCC Wyatt Olsonawski- 25; PR, Brendan Kruchowski -33.
Kittson County Central (14-7) was away on Tuesday, Feb. 12 for their final regular season game at Bagley/Fosston.
