FARGO-Brandon Holt wasn't even sure if he would take the ice in a shootout Friday. But as the first shooters for Grand Forks Central and Fargo Davies didn't score, Holt had an idea he would be called on.
Holt put a move on Davies goalie Jared Winter and found the net to give the returning state champion Central a 1-0 shootout victory over the Eagles at Farmers Union Insurance Center in Scheels Arena. Davies was the first team Central did not beat in regulation or overtime since Feb. 26, 2016, ending the Knights' 31-game win streak as the game goes as a tie for both teams.
"It surprised me a little bit," Holt said. "When coach picked me, I knew I was going to go with that move."
Winter and Central goalie Kaleb Johnson didn't give up a goal on the first three attempts in the shootout. Holt made his shot and Johnson made the final stop to put the finishing touches on a shutout.
Winter finished the game with 40 saves while Johnson totaled 30.
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"The guys battled hard the whole game and gave me a chance to stay in it," Johnson said. "I just had to stay confident, battle through every move, stay square to the puck and just stop it."
Both teams had power plays in the first period, but neither could convert. Central dominated possession early on, but Davies rallied midway through the first period to end the period with 12 shots on goal.
Both the Eagles and Knights had more power plays in the second period, but both teams played tough defense. Both Johnson and Winter showed off quick reflexes to stop opportunities at the net.
"We're a defensive team, and I feel like we have one of the best goaltenders in the state," Davies head coach Scott Petersen said. "People forget about him, but don't sleep on Jared."
Central totaled 11 shots on goal in the third period, but Winter and the Eagles defense stood strong and forced overtime.
Central got seven more shots on goal, but again Winter proved too quick in net. Johnson also stopped all four shots on goal by Davies in overtime to force the shootout.
"The tension definitely gets higher when the game gets going," Winter said. "I was just hoping we could get one in, but it ended up going to a shootout."
Central (3-0-1, 2-0-1 East Region) had scored 26 goals in its previous three games, but the Knights said they were prepared to face a strong test from the Eagles (4-0-1, 2-0-1). Davies started the season on a four-game winning streak, and Petersen believes the Eagles could keep the momentum alive.
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"The boys played a little bit smarter than they have the last couple games," Petersen said. "This is all about learning and getting better and stronger."
FIRST PERIOD: No scoring.
SECOND PERIOD: No scoring.
THIRD PERIOD: No scoring.
OVERTIME: No scoring.
SHOOTOUT: GFC, Hanson miss; FD, Parrett miss; GFC, Murphy miss; FD, Stibbe miss; GFC, Briske miss; FD, Wold miss; GFC, Holt goal; FD, Kleven miss.
SAVES: GFC, Johnson 12-9-5-4--30; FD, Winter 9-13-11-7--40.
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