LITCHFIELD -- Junior goalie Lucas Johnson rejected 34 shots to propel Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato past Willmar 3-2 in non-conference boys hockey on Saturday.
The two-game Cream Can series of a rivalry that dates to 1972-73 finished in a dead heat with each team scoring eight goals. Willmar won on its ice 6-5 on Dec. 9.
Josh Aslesen gave Willmar a 1-0 lead early in the second period, but the Dragons answered with a natural "hat trick" on two goals by goals by Brett Danielson and one by Nate Adams for a 3-1 lead 5:27 into the third period.
Willmar got one back at 9:24 when Richie Norris scored assisted by Aslesen, but Johnson stopped all 12 other shots off the Willmar sticks.
"Litchfield played well," said Willmar coach Reed Larson. "I thought we controlled play most of the time and had a lot of opportunities, but the puck isn't bouncing our way."
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Willmar netminder Jon Mattison finished with 20 stops before leaving late in the game to a knee injury after a pile-up in front of the net. Kevin Maxfield took over with the Cardinals trailing 3-1 and made three saves.
Willmar (5-16-2) hosts Sauk Rapids on Tuesday in its last home game and one day prior to Section 4A seeding.
LDC will take a 7-15-1 mark into 6A seeding.
Litchfield/DC 3, Willmar 2
Willmar (5-16-2) 0 1 1 -- 2
Litchfield/DC (7-15-2) 0 1 2 -- 3
FIRST PERIOD - no scoring
SECOND PERIOD - Wil: Josh Aslesen (Andrew Kleven, Eric Bangen) 3:25 ... LDC: Brett Danielson (Nate Adams) 12:47
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THIRD PERIOD - LDC: Danielson (Jordan Lecher) 3:13, pp ... LDC: Adams (Tim Wold) 5:27 ... Wil: Richie Norris (Aslesen) 9:24, pp.
Goalie saves - Willmar: Jon Mattison 7-9-4-20, Kevin Maxfield *-*-3-3; Litchfield/Das-sel-Cokato: Lucas Johnson 14-8-12-34
