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Ely’s high school hockey team is scrapping its way back into contention.
After losing four of their first five games, the Timberwolves rebounded with a pair of one-goal wins - including the program’s first victory over section rival Greenway in more than a decade.
Senior goaltender Ben Leeson had 40 saves and junior Jayden Zemke’s second-period goal held up in a dramatic, 1-0 shutout of visiting Greenway in a Dec. 19 contest at the Ely Arena.
Two days later, the Wolves shook off a four-hour bus ride and sophomore Owen Marolt scored twice as they hung on to beat Wadena-Deer Creek 4-3.
Following a difficult start, the winning streak gave the Wolves a 3-4 record, some momentum going into this week’s home holiday tournament and perhaps some newfound confidence.
“Those were huge wins,” said Ely Head Coach Jake Myers. “I think it shows the team and the community that we can win on any given night if we play a simple, hard hockey game.”
Leeson helped right the Wolves’ ship, turning back every shot he faced against Greenway and helping to secure Ely’s first win against the Raiders since Jan. 30, 2012.
“It wasn’t really a surprise,” said Myers. “The boys worked hard and they scrapped out a win. Honestly, Ben Leeson was playing so well and had rebound control, I didn’t see a goal coming at all.”
The teams played through a scoreless period before Zemke broke the ice in the second.
He went end-to-end, slicing through the Raider defense and putting the puck into the net to put Ely on top.
Greenway applied some pressure late, pulling its goaltender with under two minutes to go and getting another advantage when the Wolves drew a late penalty.
Leeson kept the Raiders at bay and the Wolves cleared the puck out of their own end with 15 seconds left to wrap up the upset.
Greenway, which owns 7A wins against both Moose Lake and North Shore, is now 3-5 for the season.
Ely got a boost from the win and took that to Wadena, but early penalties knocked the Wolves back on their heels.
The host Wolverines took a 2-1 lead six minutes into the second period on their second power play tally of the afternoon.
“On Saturday we finally were able to kill off a penalty after their second goal and that helped turn things around,” said Myers.
Sophomore Stig Majerus scored the equalizer midway through the second period and Marolt’s second goal of the day - assisted by Evan Leeson - put the Wolves in front to stay with 1:48 left in the period.
Junior Hunter Halbakken added what proved to be a key insurance goal in the third. Classmate Rhett Johnson assisted and it was 4-2.
The Wolves needed the cushion as W-DC closed the gap with 1:36 left on a goal Cooper Ness.
That would prove to be it as Leeson made 17 saves in the final period and 39 in the game as Ely held on.
Johnson, Evan Leeson, Jace Huntbatch and Sean Merriman all had assists for the Wolves, while Peyton Mithun had a goal and two assists for Wadena-Deer Creek.
• Ely is in the midst of its annual holiday tournament, with a Saturday afternoon (2:30 p.m.) battle with Moose Lake Area closing out the event. May-Port (N.D.) and Kittson County Central are also part of the four-team tournament.
• The Wolves host a rare weekday afternoon contest on Tuesday, Dec. 31. International Falls comes to the Ely Arena for a game that starts at noon. The game was originally set for Dec. 10 but postponed.
• Ely’s annual home game in Babbitt takes place on Friday, Jan. 3. Bagley- Fosston is the opponent and the drop of the puck is slated for 6:30 p.m.
