Stadstad Classic: Quick start lifts Knights

The Bismarck Century boys hockey team's trip to Grand Forks on Thursday got off to a rocky start as poor road conditions forced the Patriots to push back the start time of their game against Grand Forks Central.

Then when they finally got on the ice, it was another rocky start that did in the Patriots. Central scored twice in the opening period and hung on for a 4-2 victory over the Patriots in the first round of the Herald Jason Stadstad Hockey Classic at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Central advances to today's semifinals against Fargo Davies at 5:30 p.m. at REA.

"(Slow starts) seem to be our M.O.," Century coach Troy Olson said. "This is our eighth game, so I'm pretty sick of seeing it. Against Central, or actually against any team, you can't dig yourself a hole like that."

Olson, though, wouldn't blame his team's late arrival for their poor start.

"(Tournament officials) were great about it and gave us a chance to stretch," Olson said, "so that didn't affect us."

Central started the scoring at 9 minutes, 38 seconds when Jordy Aamot scored on a wraparound. The Knights then made it 2-0 at 12:20 of the period on Alec Lazur's power-play goal.

"That was the tempo we wanted to set," Central coach Tony Bina said. "That was key to come out and get the lead, not have to battle uphill like we did (Tuesday night in a loss to West Fargo)."

The teams each scored twice in the second period. Century had goals from Tanner Megal and Alec Rauhauser, while Johnny Simonson, who was named player of the game, and Gage Salquist scored for the Knights.

Simonson's goal came just 100 seconds after the Patriots had cut the lead to 2-1.

Century had a number of chances to trim the lead to one goal in the third period. Most notably, Central goalie Derek Fuller dove to his back to make a sprawling save on a tremendous chance from Marcus Abfalter with 10 minutes to go to preserve the lead.

"What a save," Olson said. "Our defenseman had made a nice read to get in on that play."

Fuller finished with 18 stops for the Knights.

"That shot would have made it 4-3," Bina said. "Those last 10 minutes could have gotten very interesting."

Instead, the Knights improved to 4-1.

"It was one of those games that certainly wasn't pretty," Bina said. "Bismarck Century took away the middle of the ice and was able to slow us down. But we were gritty enough to get a good team win."

1/3: Grand Forks Central's Gage Salquist scores against Bismarck Century's Ryan Hanson during their game Thursday at REA. Herald photo by Eric Hylden.

2/3: Bismarck Century's Joey Fuher collides with Grand Forks Central's Matt Walters and Jordy Aamot during Thursday's game. Herald photo by Eric Hylden.

3/3: Grand Forks Central's Luke Johnson skates away from Century's Marcus Abfalter in the second period. Herald photo by Eric Hylden.