Boys hockey: Sabres bounce Willmar to bottom
WILLMAR — Defensive mistakes and not much punch on offense cost the Willmar Cardinals on Thursday night at the Cardinal Arena.
Sartell (1-5-2, 5-6-4) took home a 3-1 win that left Willmar (0-6-1, 7-7-1) alone on the bottom of the Central Lakes roll.
It also cost Willmar a chance to advance its case in the Section 6A rankings where they fell to 3-4-1.
Willmar came out hard and dominated the puck the first 8 minutes. Hunter Schneider scooted across the top of the lane and unleashed a precise wrist shot from the right circle that found the
upper left corner for a 1-0 lead.
But in the next minute, Sartell rushed the Willmar goal and Spencer Zwiener pounded the puck past Joey Benson to tie the score 1-1.
Willmar’s defense faltered allowing the Sabres several good opportunities and forcing big saves by Benson. A 2-on-1 Sabres rush broke the tie in the second period, Andrew Lindmeier getting the eventual game-winner.
The last Sabre goal was open net when a blue-line shot by Willmar was deflected back-up ice allowing Tyler Minkel to pounce.
“It was pretty even and they just found a way to win tonight,” said Willmar coach Dan Tollefson.
Willmar is at Paynesville on Tuesday to play CLC rival River Lakes.
Sartell 3, Willmar 1
Sartell (1-5-2, 5-6-4) 1 1 1 — 3
Willmar (0-5-1 7-6-1) 1 0 0 — 1
FIRST PERIOD – Wil: Hunter Schneider (Ryan Woltjer) 8:55 ….. Sar: Spencer Zwiener (Tyler Minkel) 9:44
SECOND PERIOD – Sar: Andrew Lindmeier (Aaron Randall, Matt Bakken) 12:58
THIRD PERIOD – Sar: Minkel (Matt Ringhand, Sam Zwiener) 16:02 open net
GOALIE SAVES – Sartell: Elliott Brookins 19-20 … Willmar: Joey Benson 20-22
