WILLMAR -- Willmar celebrated what could be its final home game of the season with a 2-1 victory over Central Lakes Conference rival River Lakes on Tuesday.
The Cardinals could get a home playoff game depending on the outcome of Section 3A seeding, which is today.
Willmar jumped out to a 2-0 lead but the Stars hung tight, despite the Cardinals edge in puck control.
The game was scoreless until Matt Odom skated across the blue line and made a goal-mouth pass through a defenseman allowing Rory Schneider to one-time it past River Lakes goalies Spencer Thies, who had no chance on the lightning assault.
Jordan Baker, one of 11 Willmar seniors, made it 2-0 in the second period, scoring from deep in the zone with an assist to Andrew Kleven and Jacob Tone.
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Reggie Fraley's power-play goal in the last minute of the second period made it a 2-1 game.
Theis kept it close by making 42 saves. Ben Leitch faced 15 shots in the Willmar net, stopping 14.
Willmar 2, River Lakes 1
River Lakes (0-14, 1-22-1) 0 1 0 -- 1
Willmar (2-10, 7-15) 1 1 0 -- 2
FIRST PERIOD - Wil: Rory Schneider (Matt Odom, Adam Olson) 10:43
SECOND PERIOD - Wil: Jordan Baker (Andrew Kleven, Jacob Tone) 5:13 ... RL: Reggie Fraley (unassisted) 16:41, powerplay
THIRD PERIOD - no scoring
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GOALIE SAVES - River Lakes: Spencer Theis 11-19-12-42 ... Willmar: Ben Leitch 6-2-6-14
