The main difference Thursday evening was that Bismarck High was opportunistic whereas Dickinson High barely had opportunities.
The Demons boys hockey team controlled the puck for much of the game and scored almost at will to beat Dickinson 11-1 at the West River Ice Center.
Bismarck built a 3-0 lead in the first period behind goals from senior Andrew Huber and juniors Eric Pladsen and T.J. Irey. Huber and Irey scored power play goals that came 9 seconds and 13 seconds into their respective advantages.
“We have some guys in our lineup that are very skilled individuals,” Demons head coach Mike Peluso said, “and when they want to turn it on, they turn it on. We want them to be a little more consistent, and if we can do that, we’ll be better off.”
Huber finished with four goals for Bismarck (14-3, 10-2 West Region), Irey also had a pair and Pladsen finished with five total points - two goals and three assists.
Dickinson (6-11, 4-10) got on the board with 39 seconds remaining in the first period when junior defensemen Matthew Tessier tipped a shot from Michael McChesney past Bismarck goalkeeper Hunter Lauer.
“It felt like we just had to keep going and get some shots on net,” Tessier said. “We had to keep working hard together. Bismarck kept going as hard as they can, and it was hard to get the puck off the glass or to our wingers on the boards.”
That goal would be Lauer’s only blemish though, as the Midgets rarely threatened for the rest of the game. While the Demons piled up 52 shots on goal, Dickinson managed only 13.
“Bismarck grinds like no team I’ve ever seen,” Dickinson head coach Dallas Kuntz said. “They’re probably the hardest-working team in the entire state, and with their speed, we got caught puck watching. We had a lot of players out there just watching the play around them.”
The Demons added to their lead with five goals in the second period - one each from Huber, Lucas Butts, Irey, Pladsen and Cullen Irey.
Huber scored his final two goals in the third period, sandwiched around a score from junior Ryan Clancy.
The Midgets were whistled for nine penalties in the game, making it more difficult for Dickinson to regain control.
“Speed and numbers is what they consistently roll on us,” Dickinson senior defenseman Tate Martel said. “They out-skated and out-hustled us the whole game.”
B 3 5 3 – 11
D 1 0 0 – 1
FIRST PERIOD: 1, B, Andrew Huber (Eric Pladsen), 7:10. 2, B, Pladsen (Jaxon Ford), 9:47. 3, B, T.J. Irey (Pladsen), 12:22. 4, D, Matthew Tessier (Michael McChesney), 16:21.
SECOND PERIOD: 1, B, Huber (Pladsen), 4:35. 2, B, Lucas Butts, 10:00. 3, B, Irey (Johnny Witzke), 12:33. 4, B, Pladsen (Witzke), 14:13. 5, B, Cullen Irey, 15:50.
THIRD PERIOD: 1, B, Huber (Ford), :40. 2, B, Ryan Clancy (Bryce Nybo, Witzke), 8:26. 3, B, Huber (Ford), 11:15.
SAVES: B, Hunter Lauer 5-5-3-12. D, Gabe Vaagen 16-13-12-41.
