The Brookings Rangers opened their run in the 2024 USA Hockey-Chipotle High School Division 1 National Championship Tournament with a 4-1 victory over Oakdale (Md.) on Wednesday afternoon.
The win gives the Rangers a 1-0-0 record in pool play and helped them improve to 34-1-1 overall this season.
The Rangers fell behind early as Eli Corridon-Crum scored from Cameron Horan to put the Bears up 1-0 at 6:30 of the first period. Brookings responded just before the first intermission, however, as Ren Jacobsen scored from Jackson Heller and Jay Harris at 15:54 to tie the game at 1-1.
Owen Schneider gave the Rangers the lead with his goal from Chase Karch and Luke Honkomp at 3:24 of the second period and Brookings added two more goals in the third period to put the game away.
Harris scored 24 seconds into the third period with assists from Honkomp and Riley Linstad and Talon Hyde scored with assists from Jacob Kahle and Schneider at 5:44.
Addison Ronning made 13 saves to earn the win for the Rangers. Brookings out-shot Oakdale 44-13.
The Rangers will continue pool play when they face North Broward (Fla.), who defeated Jesuit (Texas) 2-1 in its opening game on Wednesday. Thursday’s game between Brookings and North Broward is scheduled for an 11:15 a.m. CT puck drop.
