Good Gally: 'Jacks best East

With three goals - including one in overtime to win it - Cloquet junior Christan Galatz was the difference maker as Cloquet defeated Duluth East in overtime 5-4 last Thursday in Cloquet.

In addition to his three goals, Gally (as he's called by his teammates and coaches) also had an assist, giving him four points on the night.

"He's really coming around as a player," Cloquet head coach Walters said. "He's playing a more complete game. You know, seven goals in two games, that says a lot about him."

"It was no secret who the best player in the rink was," Duluth East head coach Mike Randolph added, referring to Gally. "He's a heck of a player."

After the first period, the Greyhounds seemed to be controlling the game. Outshooting the Lumberjacks 10-6 and with a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission - thanks to a goal by senior Nolan Aleff - Randolf was happy.

"We felt pretty good. We thought that was our best period," Randolph said. "We limited them, and we got chances."

The second period brought a lot more action than the first.

After two goals in under two minutes by Galatz, the Lumberjacks led 2-1 halfway through the period. The lead was short-lived.

A few minutes later, the Greyhounds scored a pair of goals of their own to regain the lead at 3-2. Before the end of the period, the Lumberjacks tied it back up after a goal by senior forward Kole Ketola.

It was 3-3 heading into the third.

"It seemed like we started off slow," Walters said. "We weren't doing the little things right but, fortunately, we picked it up and took advantage of some opportunities."

The Greyhounds jumped out early in the third period after a goal by Junior Dylan Gray, giving the Greyhounds a 4-3 lead with 11:55 left in the game. Then Cloquet junior Brock House netted a goal with 3:57 left.

"He gave us that spark in the third period when we were kind of down and out," Walters said. "For him to put one home was huge for us."

After an intense third period, there was still more hockey to be played. With the score locked at four apiece, Cloquet had a game plan going into overtime on the powerplay.

"We kind of saw some things that were going on during previous power plays that we were not successful in," Walters said. "We just made a little bit of an adjustment."

The Lumberjacks executed perfectly. Just 24 seconds into overtime, Gally buried the puck in the top shelf to end the game.

"It was a great play at the end of the game," Walters said. "Gally really made a beautiful shot."

The Lumberjacks are now 5-1-1 on the season, with four straight wins.

On the road Tuesday, CEC bested Hibbing/Chisholm 3-1.

Speaking of home, the 'Jacks have won their last six home games, dating back to last February. That includes a playoff win, two shutouts, and a 4-0 home record to begin this season.

"It's easier to play at home," Walters said. "You always want to perform well in front of your hometown."

Last Thursday's game was just another great game played between the two teams in a rivalry that has spanned decades.

Walters mentioned how it has been a back-and-forth through the years.

"One year one's better than the other," Walters said. "But no matter what, it's always going to be a battle."

Randolph agreed.

"When East and Cloquet play, it's always a good game, regardless of records," he said. "The rivalry brings out the best of both teams."