UPDATE: In a nail-biting finish, the Grand Forks Central Knights defeated Fargo Davies 4-3 in overtime on Thursday night, showcasing resilience after relinquishing a late two-goal lead. The victory, secured at Purpur Arena, marks a pivotal moment in the season as the Knights aim to solidify their standing in the competitive East Region.
With just under eight minutes left in regulation, Central held a promising 3-1 lead before a series of penalties turned the tide. A major penalty assessed to Trey Clauson for contact to the head opened the door for the Eagles, allowing them a crucial 5-on-3 advantage. Within moments, Mason Pederson capitalized, scoring off a wrist shot that rattled the bar and found the net, narrowing the gap. Just minutes later, Dom Diebert tied the game with a rebound goal, sending the match into overtime.
Knights’ coach Grant Paranica highlighted the importance of this tight game for team character. “Hopefully, it’s a character builder for us to be in a tight game like that,” he stated. “We were able to come back from that and get the win.”
The decisive goal came from Gavin Wockenfuss, who knocked in a pass from Rylan Spicer, sealing the victory after a tense back-and-forth. “They played hard and we hadn’t done that through the first three games consistently,” Paranica noted, emphasizing the team’s improved performance.
Throughout the game, the Knights demonstrated offensive prowess early on, with Nolan Marto scoring the team’s first goal less than two minutes in. Despite this, the Knights struggled on special teams, scoring only one goal on ten power play attempts this season while surrendering five short-handed goals.
The overtime win brings the Knights’ points total to five, placing them second in the East Region standings, just behind Sheyenne. Meanwhile, Fargo Davies now sits with just one point in their season, highlighting the pressure as the teams head into a crucial stretch.
Looking ahead, the Central Knights will face their rivals, Red River, on Tuesday at Purpur Arena. This upcoming match is expected to be intense, as both teams seek to assert dominance in the region.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Central aims to build on this momentum and refine their special teams strategy in the coming matches.
