GRAND FORKS -- The East Region boys hockey tournament didn't feature many close games. In fact, the tournament was characterized by six games decided by six or more goals.
Fargo South and Grand Forks Red River made up for the lack of excitement in the championship game.
Senior forward Jake McDougall broke a 1-all tie with a power-play goal in the third period to lift South to a 2-1 victory against Red River in the region final in Purpur Arena.
"We're happy with how were playing," said South goalie Sean Deichert, who stopped 31 shots. "We want to keep progressing toward state."
With South leading 2-1, Red River pulled goalie Pat Arnason with a minute left. However, the Riders couldn't manage many good looks at Deichert with the man advantage.
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"There were quite a few whistles (in the last minute)," Deichert said. "They didn't get many chances."
The Bruins started the scoring with a goal at 4:04 of the first period. South defenseman Parker Metz scored on a blast from the right point that beat Arnason, who was screened by traffic out front.
The Riders evened the score in the second period when Ryan LaDouceur made a nice feed across the slot to Bryan Scholler, who put it home at 15:33 of the second period.
McDougall knocked in his own rebound for the game-winner at 2:33 of the third period.
"He has a feel for the net," South coach Dean Wilson said. "He's played hard and well for us all season."
Red River missed a number of chances in the second period. The Riders failed to score on 1:20 worth of a 5-on-3 power play, hitting pipe twice.
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