WILLMAR -- The Willmar Cardinals remained winless in the Central Lakes Conference falling to Brainerd 4-1 at the Civic Center on Thursday.
Brainerd led 2-1 after one period, outshooting the Cardinals 22-10.
Willmar goalie Jon Mattison stopped 20 shots in the first 18 minutes and ended up with 38 saves for the game. Willmar was outshot 42-23.
But Willmar scored first when Joel Schendel found the twine on a power play chance, assisted by Matt Kroneberger, at 4:24 of the first stanza.
Warriors' goalie Landon Snider handled every shot after that and finished with 22 saves.
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Willmar stayed close until Bronson Sheperd made it 4-1 with a goal at 14:48 of the third.
Willmar dropped to 0-9-1 in the loop; Brainerd went to 8-2 to stay within a game of league-leading Little Falls.
Brainerd 4, Willmar 1
Brainerd (8-2, 11-6-1) 2 1 1 -- 4
Willmar (0-9-1, 4-11-1) 1 0 0 -- 1
FIRST PERIOD - Wil: Joel Schendel (Matt Kroneberger) 4:24, power play ... Brd: Austin Shiltz (Drew Olson) 6:31 .. Brd: Olson (Chris Engel) 12:45
SECOND PERIOD - Brd: Sam Holland (Luke Swanson) 9:41
THIRD PERIOD - Brd: Bronson Shepherd (Joe Frazer) 14:48
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Goalie saves - Brainerd: Landon Snider 9-7-6-22; Willmar: Jon Mattison 20-11-8-38
