Nostdahl leads Bulldogs past Vikings

SANDPOINT — Two teams that know each other well, but don’t particularly get along all that great, renewed old acquaintances Tuesday night in a very physical Inland Empire League battle under the lights of War Memorial Field.

After waging a pair of 1-1 ties in the first two meetings of the season, Sandpoint downed Coeur d’Alene 3-1 in the rubber match, claiming the unofficial season series and building some much-needed momentum for the stretch run.

Anders Nostdahl blasted back-to-back goals within a span of two minutes late in the first half, his 7th and 8th tallies of the season, quickly erasing a 1-0 deficit and giving the Bulldogs (9-1-2) the lead for good.

“We let No. 4 (Nostdahl) go unmarked twice and had two goals scored against us,” said Vikings coach Eric Louis of the difference in the game. “Anders is real crafty, we knew we needed to be aware of him.”

The Vikings (7-2-4) took an early 1-0 lead when Shelby Barrera put a shot on goal that Bulldogs keeper Erik Wehse, who returned to action after missing a spate of games with a concussion, misplayed when he slipped and had the ball bounce off his arm and into the net.

The Bulldogs were attacking the goal for most of the first half, and the work rate finally paid off when Nostdahl found the back of the net twice after squandering several close chances. Adam Crossingham would add the final goal late in the second half, beating his man with a slick move and then poking the ball past the sliding keeper a split second before leaping over his head.

“We finally finished some chances,” said Sandpoint coach Randy Thoreson of the difference between the first two ties. “A great team effort; the best all year. We put consistent pressure on the ball and had some golden opportunities. Anytime we play Coeur d’Alene, it’s going to be physical.”

Sandpoint plays Lakeland on Thursday night, also under the lights at War Memorial Field.

First half — 1, Cd’A, Shelby Barrera (Casey Shellman), 5:00. 2, Spt, Anders Nostdahl (Zac Linscott), 34:00. 3, Spt, Nostdahl (Tanner Williams), 36:00. Second half — 4, Spt, Adam Crossingham (Williams), 78:00.

Shots on goal — Cd’A 5, Spt 14.

Saves — Cd’A, Jimmy Keith 8; Spt, Erik Wehse 4.