The Oahe Capitals scored two late third period goals to defeat the Brookings Rangers in the first game of the season on Friday night at the Expo Center in Ft. Pierre.
Ashton Griese would score the first goal of the game in a chaotic scramble around the night to give the Caps a 1-0 lead after the first period. Griese would assist Jarron Beck’s first goal in the second to reclaim the lead for the Capitals at 2-1 but the period would end with a 2-2 tie. Brookings would take its first lead in the third period with around 10 minutes to play, but the Capitals were able to find an answer. Griese from behind the net, back handed a pass out front for Beck to one-time passed the Rangers goalie Addison Ronning to tie the game at 3-3 with four and a half minutes to play. Then Griese would add his third assist of the game as he passed the puck from the corner to Devin Dodson in front of the net to score the eventual game winner just a minute and a half later. Colin Lee was impressive in the net stopping 42 of 45 shots the Rangers tried to pepper. The Capitals were outshot in the game 45-17, but found a way to get the win over the defending state champions in the first game of the year.
Oahe will face Brandon Valley on Saturday and Sunday with games at 7:00 and 3:00. Coverage will start at 6:30 and 2:30 on Capital City Rock and on YouTube at Capital City Rock Sports.
