Bulldogs down Badgers in home opener

SANDPOINT — The reigning 4A state champs made their home debut a success Tuesday afternoon, blanking Bonners Ferry 4-0 at beautiful new Great Northern Park in Sandpoint.

Junior Tanner Williams had a goal and two assists, and teamed with Anders Nostdahl and Daniel Anderson, each of whom added a goal and assist of their own, to mount a persistent attack on the offensive end.

The Bulldogs ripped 18 shots on goal, including freshman Raleigh Hanson’s first varsity goal, which put the Bulldogs (1-0-1) up 1-0 in the 30th minute. It was all fellow freshman Eric Wehse would need, as he saved eight shots to notch his first shutout in goal.

Head coach Randy Thoreson thought his team, which has a lot of new faces in new places on varsity, made strides after a 1-1 tie at Coeur d’Alene to open the season. He had high praise for the play of Hanson, but still sees some areas that can be improved.

“We were ragged against Coeur d’Alene and didn’t combine well,” he said. “We really need to work on combination play and hitting people’s feet.”

Junior goalie Mat Evans made 18 saves to lead the Badgers (0-2), who lost 2-1 to Moscow in their first game and will soon face Coeur d’Alene as they look to improve by playing up.

“Sandpoint has more depth and more skill, and we knew that coming in,” said Badgers coach Ed Moe, whose team had a few breakaway chances, one of which was shut down by a stellar defensive play by Peik Wahl. “We played with them, just had a couple of breakdowns.”

Sandpoint plays at Lakeland Saturday night at 7 p.m.

First half — 1, Spt, Raleigh Hansen (Anders Nostdahl), 30:00. 2, Spt, Nostdahl (Tanner Williams). Second half — 3, Spt, Williams (Daniel Anderson), 70:00. 4, Spt, Anderson (Williams), 75:00.

Shots on goal — Sandpoint 18, Bonners Ferry 8.

Saves — Eric Wehse, Spt, 6; Mat Evans, BF, 8.