CROOKSTON, Minn. – A Mark Sanchez power play goal eight and a half minutes into the third period proved to be the game-winner as the Minnesota Iron Rangers went on to double up the Thief River Falls Norskies 4-2 Friday in a Superior International Junior Hockey League neutral site preseason contest at the Crookston Sports Center.
Each side would score once in the opening 20 minutes with Riley Bergland connecting for Thief River Falls on a power play while Clayton Brown countered at even strength for Minnesota.
Up a man in the middle session, the Iron Rangers collected the lone tally of the frame compliments of Max Sturko at 14:26.
Bryan Miller would knot the affair for the Norskies seven minutes into the third, only to see Sanchez strike for the eventual difference maker a minute and a half later.
Minnesota’s Harrison Bjorgo would then round out the night’s scoring in the late going to wrap things up offensively.
Brandon Woodward dished out two assists for the Iron Rangers in the triumph.
Tyler Thompson was stellar in net for the winners making 45 saves en route to the victory.
Tate Johnson meanwhile faced 26 shots in defeat for Thief River Falls.
The same two teams will meet again Saturday at 7 p.m. back in Crookston.