Though the North Shore Storm boys hockey team has had a kind of rough start to the season, early bumps can sometimes be a blessing, giving the team a chance to adjust and find its rhythm.
The team opened on the road on November 24 against Superior at Wessman Arena. The Spartans scored four times in the first period before North Shore’s Isaiah Bertin put one past the goalie with an unassisted power-play goal. Superior responded quickly, leaving the score 1-6 heading into the third period.
Bertin, a senior, scored another unassisted power-play goal early in the final period to bring the score to 2-6, but the Spartans added two more before the night was over. Superior’s offense dominated, firing 49 shots on goal to the Storm’s eight, and the Spartans spent five penalties in the box, while North Shore had none.
The Storm’s home opener at Sonju Arena on November 29 resulted in a 6-0 shutout loss to South St. Paul. But the team rebounded at their next home game at Rukavina Arena on December 2, earning their first win of the season. Junior Nox Peterson scored the lone goal of the game unassisted in the second period. The matchup was physical, with Ely spending 23 minutes in penalties on six infractions, while North Shore had only two. Goalie Dax Krech, a sophomore, earned the shutout with 29 saves.
North Shore’s next home game, December 4 at Sonju Arena against Greenway, was a close contest. Bertin opened the scoring unassisted, with Greenway tying the game before the period ended. The Raiders pulled ahead in the third period and ultimately won 2-1. Despite the narrow score, Greenway outshot North Shore 26-11, with Krech stopping all but two attempts.
Kittson County Central proved another tough opponent on December 5 at Rukavina Arena. Senior Anders Hastings scored the Storm’s only goal of the first period at even strength, but Kittson County responded with two in the second and four in the third for a 6-1 final. North Shore was again outshot, 32- 12, with junior Haydn Stahl stepping in net and stopping 26 shots.
The Storm played Ashland at Ashland on December 9 and will face them again at home at Rukavina Arena on Saturday, December 13, at 1 p.m., following a December 11 game at Proctor.
Though the season is moving quickly, there’s still plenty of time for the North Shore Storm boys to build their offense and find their stride on the ice. Fans are encouraged to come out and cheer them on at Rukavina Arena in Silver Bay on the 13th!
