The Huskies, made up of the combined schools of Big Lake & Zimmerman hosted the Section 8A playoff game at Big Lake High School on Tuesday, May 27th for a six o’clock face off.
Number 15 Andy Soldner scored first to put the Spartans on the board at the 3:17 mark while man up, assisted by #1 Zac Shurman. The defense started strong and #35 Parker Roske had two glorious saves to keep ROCORI up by one in the first quarter. The Huskies did finally score with 5:39 left to tie the game.
After another tough defensive possession, #4 Maddox Abel found #18 Zack Vogt, who tickled the twine to put ROCORI back on top with 2:12 to go. The Huskies scored two more, both after missed calls by the referees to go back on top by one. At the end of one, ROCORI 2, Big Lake/Zimmerman 3.
The Spartans had two rough penalties in the second quarter, putting the Spartans defense down by two men. #13 Landyn Einarson snagged a pass and took it down field! ROCORI scored! Shurman found the cage while still down one man. Tie game! Shortly after, #21 Gavin Olson ripped the go ahead shot in with six minutes to go. After two, ROCORI 4, Big Lake/Zimmerman 3.
The Huskies scored while man up just a minute into the third, but the good guys got a call shortly after for their own advantage possession. Unfortunately, the Spartans could not capitalize. The Huskies scored again at the four minute mark to go up by one.
ROCORI answered. Vogt made a cut and scored his second of the game to tie the game once again. After three, ROCORI 5, Big Lake/Zimmerman 5. There was no scoring in the beginning of the fourth quarter, largely due to Roske’s fierce goal tending, until Abel dodged and made it happen! ROCORI then won the face off and Vogt scored again! Spartans go up by two with 7:16 left in the contest.
On a scramble for the ball with just over two minutes remaining, the Huskies goalie left the crease and coughed up the ball, #25 Brayden Wente won the ground ball and took a shot from about half field, and scored! Time expired and the Spartans win their first playoff game in program history. ROCORI 8, Big Lake/Zimmerman 5.
The Spartans celebrate their playoff win in Big Lake.
