Winless skaters show progress

by Tom Coombe
Ely’s high school hockey team remains without a victory, but the Timberwolves’ fourth straight defeat was their most competitive yet.
The Wolves put up a season-high 31 shots on goal in a 1043 loss to Moose Lake Area, in a Dec. 13 contest at the Ely Arena.
Ely’s final game before a holiday break was very competitive for two periods, and came on the heels of a lopsided 12-0 defeat against section contender Eveleth-Gilbert just three days earlier.
Senior Luke Olson, who had all four goals for Ely, scored twice in the first 10 minutes of play to give the hosts an early 2-1 lead.
The Rebels, who had a size advantage against an Ely team that includes several freshmen and eighth-graders, were more physical and got to the Wolves as the contest progressed.
Rebels Jordan Fjosne and Henry Ribich both scored in the final five minutes of the opening period on the way to hat tricks of their own.
Moose Lake grabbed a 4-2 lead after one frame, and goals by Ribich and Fjosne, which came about a minute-and-a-half apart midway through the second period, gave the Rebels some cushion.
Shots on goal were nearly even after two periods, with Moose Lake holding a 28-26 edge, and the contest ended with the Rebels having a 37-31 margin.
Winning goalie Henry Dammer had 28 saves and the Rebels had to work off seven penalties, compared to just two for the Wolves.
Olson had all three Ely goals and the forward remains the Wolves’ only goal scorer this season.
Dalton Schreffler added two assists while Jimmy Zupancich and Seann Prigge had one apiece.
Ben Cavalier recorded 27 saves in goal.
Fjosne had a whopping seven points for Moose Lake, finishing with four goals and three assists. Ribich had an assist to go with his three goals and Adam Olson assisted on five Rebel tallies.
Ely takes on Mora at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, at Two Harbors, in the opening round of the three-day North Shore Holiday Tournament.