WADENA -- Willmar rebounded from a 3-1 deficit, but couldn't get the go-ahead goal and eventually fell to Wadena-Deer Creek 6-5 in a non-conference boys hockey game Saturday.
Willmar peppered WDC goalie Tanner Muehler with 21 shots in the secondperiod, scoring twice.
"We got our chances and we buried them," said Willmar coach Reed Larson. "We've been playing well on the powerplay. But we need to make better decisions on defense. We're leaving the goalie out to dry sometimes with poor first passes."
Joel Jonsson and Joel Schendel each had a goal and two assists for Willmar. Mitch Schneider had a goal and an assist. Griffin Leitch and Josh Aslesen also scored for the Cardinals.
Jon Mattison made 18 saves in the Willmar net.
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Willmar will attempt to avenge a 4-0 loss Dec. 19 to Alexandria when they play at the Runestone Center on Tuesday.
Wadena 6, Willmar 5
Willmar (4-12-1).................. 1 2 2 -- 5
Wadena (14-5)......................1 2 3 -- 6
FIRST PERIOD - Wil: Mitch Schneider (Joel Schendel), 5:44... WDC: Zach Maas (Justin Wolden, Zach Lundgren) 8:46, pp
SECOND PERIOD - WDC: Wolden (Maas, Jascha Pettit), 3:35 ... WDC: Wolden (Maas), 7:28 ... Wil: Griffin Leitch (Schendel, M.Schneider), pp .... Wil: Aslesen (Joel Jonsson, Rory Schneider), 16:17
THIRD PERIOD - WDC: Wolden (J.Peters), 8:22, pp .... Wil: Jonsson (Adam Schow), 10:09 ... WDC: Maas (unassisted) 10:21 ... WDC: Pettit (Wolden), 10:43 ..... Wil: Schendel (Jonsson), 13:23
Goalie saves - Willmar: Jon Mattison 10-4-4--18; Wadena-Deer Creek: Tanner Muehler 7-21-7--35
