FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – In their second State Tournament appearance in the last three years, the Jamestown Blue Jays boys hockey team ran into a buzz saw and dropped the opener 8-2 to the East Region’s one seed Grand Forks Red River.

Red River dominated the game from start to finish but Jamestown hung around through two periods. Despite allowing two first period goals Jamestown clawed their way back into the game early in the 2nd period via the power play. Hunter Nelson scored off his own miss to cut the deficit to one goal at the 3:03 mark of the 2nd period. Penalties continued to harm Red River and allow Jamestown to hang around.

Even with the penalties, Nelson’s goal was the only show of life over the final two periods.

Jamestown would go on to get out shot 23-2 in the 2nd period, 33-3 over the last two periods, and Red River’s Connor Arel added a power play goal later in the period to expand the lead back to two goals. Arel’s goal sparked a 6-0 run that carried into the 3rd quarter.

Jays goalie Riley Gerhardt held sturdy through two periods allowing three goals on 45 shots but failed to hold the 3rd period down and gave up five goals on 10 shots in the final frame. In total, Gerhardt was bombarded by 55 shots in the quarterfinals loss.

Nolan Nenow added a power play goal late but the game was all wrapped up at that point.

A quest for a state championship ended for Jamestown Thursday night but the state consolation bracket kicks off tomorrow. Jamestown will play fellow West Region foe Bismarck in the second game around 1:30 from Farmers Union Insurance Center located inside Scheel’s Arena. Coverage can be heard on ESPN Jamestown and newsdakota.com