In an electrifying display of skill, Taevon Welle led the Bemidji High School Lumberjacks to a 6-5 victory against the Thief River Falls Prowlers on March 5, 2024. The senior forward’s five-goal performance was pivotal in securing the win during this closely contested road matchup.
Welle’s scoring spree included two goals each in the first and third periods, along with a single tally in the second. The game’s momentum shifted frequently, making each goal a significant event. Joel Prokop scored the decisive goal, breaking the 5-5 tie with just over seven minutes left in the third period, propelling Bemidji to their hard-fought victory.
Key Contributions and Game Highlights
Throughout the match, both teams showcased their offensive capabilities. Spencer Anderson and Hudson Brouse each contributed two goals for the Prowlers, with Johnny Rogalla also finding the net once. The scoring began with Welle’s first goal at 5:08 in the first period, assisted by Cal Mattfield and Quinn Niemi. The Prowlers responded quickly, with Anderson scoring a power-play goal at 7:51.
As the first period progressed, Brouse added two goals, one at 10:10 and another at 12:48, giving Thief River Falls a brief lead. However, Welle leveled the score again with his second goal just before the end of the period. The back-and-forth continued into the second, where Anderson scored another power-play goal, but Welle struck again at 16:44, ending the period with the teams tied at 4-4.
Final Period and Goalkeeping Efforts
The third period saw Welle open with two quick goals, marking his fifth of the night within the first minute of play. The Prowlers responded with Rogalla’s unassisted goal at 3:45, narrowing the score to 5-6. Prokop’s final goal, set up by Knott and Truax, solidified the Lumberjacks’ lead at 7:36, ultimately sealing the game at 6-5.
In goal, Jack Norgaard made 16 saves for Bemidji, while Cooper Roff faced a challenging night with 31 saves for the Prowlers. Thief River Falls converted on 3 of their 7 power-play opportunities, showcasing their offensive pressure throughout the match.
This thrilling victory adds to the excitement of the high school hockey season, highlighting Welle’s extraordinary talent and the competitive spirit of both teams. The Lumberjacks will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming games, while the Prowlers aim to regroup and bounce back from this narrow defeat.
