WILLMAR -- The River Lakes Stars busted out of a seven-game slump in style by stunning Willmar 3-1 at the Cardinals' own tournament on Thursday evening at the Civic Center.
Blake Williamson, Josh Engquist and Reggie Fraley scored goals for the Stars, who hadn't won since a 4-3 victory over Prairie Centre on Nov. 28. Alex Naujokos assisted on all three goals.
The Stars, who come mainly from Rocori, Paynesville and New London-Spicer, have now won three straight over Willmar.
Willmar outshot the Stars 35-25, but didn't solve River Lakes' goalie Brian Skluzacek until a power-play goal by Griffin Leitch 5:13 into the last frame.
That made it 3-1.
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The Stars beat Willmar twice last year 5-1 and 3-0.
In the early game, Prairie Centre (4-6) put 69 shots on Redwood Valley goalie Matt Hanson and defeated the Cardinals (0-8) by a 7-1 score.
Eight penalties were whistle on Willmar and 10 on River Lakes.
Enquist's power-play goal 19 seconds into the third period gave the Stars a 2-0 lead. Willmar rained 14 shots on Skluzacek in the third period.
The tournament continues today with River Lakes and Redwood Valley at 6 p.m. and Prairie Centre and Willmar following at about 8:15 p.m.
Note: The 13 goals scored by Willmar on Wednesday versus the fledgling Redwood Valley program were the most since the third game of 1983 season, a 16-0 romp against Buffalo.
River Lakes 3, Willmar 1
River Lakes (2-7).....................................0 1 2 -- 3
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Willmar (3-5).........................................0 0 1 -- 1
FIRST PERIOD - No scoring
SECOND PERIOD - RL: Blake Williamson (Josh Enquist, Alex Naujokas)_10:37, pp
THIRD PERIOD - RL: Engquist (Naujokas, Brett Savelkoul) :19 ... RL: Reggie Fraley (Naujokas, Engquist) 3:31 ... Wil: Griffin Leitch (Richie Norris) 5:13, pp
Goalie saves - River Lakes: Brian Skluzacek 11-10-13-34; Willmar: Jon Mattison 8-8-6-22
