Hunter Moreland sparks Central to win over Fargo South-Shanley

Grand Forks Central senior defenseman Hunter Moreland helped his uncle earn a unique coaching victory Tuesday night.

Moreland scored twice in Central's five-goal third period to lead the Knights to a 6-1 win over Fargo South-Shanley at Purpur Arena.

With Central head coach Grant Paranica serving a one-game suspension for taking a game misconduct penalty in his team's 4-2 win over Fargo Davies last Thursday, assistant Matt Moreland took the reins to face the Bruins.

The Knights outshot South-Shanley 13-0 in the first period and 19-2 in the third period but an even second period led to a 1-1 tie at the second intermission.

South-Shanley's John Harvey scored a power-play goal midway through the second to draw even with the Knights.

Bruins goalie Zach Sandy, a freshman, stopped 37 shots.

"Their goaltender made some saves and our guys got back on their heels in the second," Matt Moreland said. "South did a good job clogging lanes. We had to get back to what we're good at and that's moving the puck and moving our feet. We had a little chat before the third period and the guys started to play like they're supposed to."

At 3 minutes, 21 seconds of the third period, Hunter Moreland scored moments after a South-Shanley power play expired to give the Knights a 2-1 lead.

Moreland also scored during a three-goal Central flurry thanks to a five-minute major on the Bruins late in the third period.

"We were playing slow at the start, but then I think we started to want it a little more," Hunter Moreland said. "We started to get back to the puck and back check, then get pucks deep and work hard down low."

The two-goal game for Moreland doubled his season total to four goals on the year.

"He played great," Matt Moreland said of his nephew. "He's usually a simple, stay-at-home defenseman. He's a big, rugged kid. But he's got a heck of a shot. That's nice to see when we can get him on the scoreboard."

The Knights (13-1-2) also received goals from Lucas Kanta, Brandon Holt, Michell Idalski and Cole Hanson.

Central, which also beat the Bruins 3-0 earlier this season, hasn't lost to a North Dakota opponent this season.

The Bruins dropped to 4-9-2 and are now winless in their last four games.

1/3: Central forward William Lawson-Body Jr. drives the puck towards the Fargo South goal Tuesday night at Purpur Arena. Nick Nelson / Grand Forks Herald

2/3: Central forwards William Howard (left) and William Lawson-Body Jr. pursue Fargo South's Carson Dean in the second period of Tuesday's boys hockey game at Fido Purpur Arena. Nick Nelson / Grand Forks Herald

3/3: Central forward Will Eagleson fires a shot down the ice to a teammate in the second period of Tuesday's boys hockey game against Fargo South. Nick Nelson / Grand Forks Herald