Fargo North reaches state tournament for the first time since 2013
Feb. 17—GRAND FORKS — The Fargo North boys hockey team might have been a little tired Saturday after losing in double overtime late Friday.
The motivation of snapping a decade-long drought at the North Dakota state tournament, however, provided plenty of energy.
Gavin Connor scored an empty-net goal and Ray Walen scored twice as Fargo North beat West Fargo 4-2 on Saturday in a state qualifier at the East Region tournament at Purpur Arena.
Fargo North hadn't qualified for the state tournament since 2013.
"Everyone wanted it," said North goalie Parker Dosch, who stopped 32 shots including 16 in the third period. "We try not to talk about (the state drought) too much because we like to take it game by game but going into that third period, it was definitely talked about. We wanted to go out there and be part of history."
Dosch's biggest save might have been with 2:17 to go in the third period, hanging on to a one-goal lead.
West Fargo's Zach Kasin penetrated through the Spartan defense and had a backhand attempt at the top of the crease. After a Dosch save, Ian Skari had a jab at the rebound but couldn't put it in the net.
After Dosch's saves on Kasin and Skari, the Packers called timeout to draw up a late-game plan and get standout forward Bryce Mattern back on the ice.
Mattern scored twice in the second period to set up the late-game drama.
The Packers pulled goalie Gaven Norton with a little more than 2 minutes to go but struggled to get into areas for quality scoring chances for the equalizer.
Then with 1:01 left in the game, Connor winged the puck from just across the red line into the empty net.
When the final horn sounded, North players celebrated next to their student section, knowing the Spartans were finally headed back to state.
"Our guys kept saying the right things and asking the right things of each other," North coach Tyler Klein said. "You knew West Fargo is going to throw the sink at you. I liked the way we managed it and got it done. There's been a lot of heartbreak here for this team over the years. I'm really proud of the fact we got it done."
In addition to Walen's two goals, he also set up Max Watson for a goal.
Walen now has 17 goals and 31 assists on the season for a team-high 48 points.
West Fargo outshot Fargo North 34-28. The Packers never had a chance on the power play as the Spartans didn't take a penalty.
"We played great," West Fargo coach Jason Triplett said. "It was a hard game. I give Fargo North all the credit in the world. They're a good team, and I hope they do well at state. We just couldn't get a puck in the net. It was a great game, back and forth."
