The Detroit Lakes boys’ hockey team faced a tough challenge on December 15, 2023, as they battled Fargo Davies in a closely contested match that culminated in a 2-1 overtime loss. This game, marked by intense defensive play and physicality, showcased the resilience of both teams but ultimately saw the Lakers fall short after a hard-fought contest.
Game Overview and Key Moments
Entering the match with a three-game winning streak, the Lakers were eager to extend their success. They began the first period with strong puck control, aiming to set the pace. Despite their efforts, clean shot opportunities were scarce. Coach Ben Noah noted, “We came out with a lot of jump in the first five or six minutes of the game. We had back-to-back shifts in the first period that killed the momentum, and we weren’t able to maintain control after that.” The period concluded without goals or penalties, reflecting the rapid pace of play.
As the second period unfolded, the tide began to turn. The Eagles put pressure on Griffin Lindberg, the Lakers’ goaltender, who faced a staggering 39 shots throughout the game. Despite the heavy testing, Lindberg demonstrated exceptional skill, allowing only two goals, both on breakaways. Coach Noah highlighted Lindberg’s performance, stating, “He’s one of our best players, so we expect that type of performance from him moving forward.”
Midway through the second period, momentum shifted following an icing call in the Lakers’ zone. From the ensuing faceoff, Lawsen Justesen seized an opportunity, receiving a pass from Hank Schlauderlaff and firing a wrist shot into the top shelf, giving Detroit Lakes a 1-0 lead. “We caught Fargo Davies during a line change beforehand, so they were still figuring things out,” Noah explained. “Lawsen read the situation well and was in the right place at the right time.”
Defensive Struggles and Overtime Drama
The game remained physical yet clean, with the Lakers successfully killing off two penalties, maintaining their perfect penalty kill rate for the season. However, a breakdown led to a breakaway for the Eagles, who tied the game at 1-1 when they beat Lindberg on the glove side. The Lakers had a power play opportunity late in the period but managed only one shot, which was not enough to regain the lead.
The third period mirrored the first, characterized by fast-paced action and limited opportunities for sustained possession. A high-sticking call against Rhett Walter put the Lakers on the defensive, yet they managed to kill the penalty. As time wound down, the Eagles intensified their pressure, capitalizing on Lakers’ turnovers with quality scoring chances that Lindberg expertly thwarted.
In the overtime period, Detroit Lakes came out aggressively, controlling play in the Fargo Davies zone. However, around the six-minute mark, a failure to maintain puck possession allowed an Eagle player to break away and score the game-winning goal. Coach Noah remarked, “Overtime is tough because it’s sudden death and scoring chances are critical. We didn’t capitalize early, and it ended up biting us, but I’m proud of how we fought tonight.”
With this loss, the Lakers’ record now stands at 3-2-1. They will remain at the Kent Freeman Arena, preparing to host Alexandria on Tuesday, December 16, 2023.
Final Score Summary
Fargo-Davies 2, Detroit Lakes 1
FD – 0 1 0 1 – 2
DL – 0 1 0 0 – 1
First Period Scoring: No Goals
Second Period Scoring: DL Goal, Justesen, 4:42, 1-0 DL; FD Goal, Pederson, 11:00, 1-1
Third Period Scoring: No Goals
Overtime Scoring: FD Goal, Lindstaedt, 2:51, 2-1 FD
Saves: DL: Lindberg 42; FD: Metcalf 26
