WILLMAR -- The Willmar Cardinals offense didn't find the opponent's team's goal until the third period on Thursday in a Central Lakes Conference meeting with St. Cloud Apollo.
But it was too late as the Eagles left the Civic Center with a 5-3 victory.
Willmar had three shots on Apollo netminder Dan Ritter over the first two periods to trail 2-0.
Adam Schow caught Ritter napping early in the third frame, driving in a 40-footer to make it a new game.
But the Eagles snapped back taking advantage of Willmar penalties to go up 4-1. With Willmar a man-up, Tyler Wahl skated out of his zone, made several quick moves to beat the defense then went in and beat Ritter to make it 4-2 at 13:32.
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Apollo responded shorthanded. Josh Aslesen scored with two seconds left for Willmar's third goal.
Kevin Maxfield had 21 stops in the Willmar goal. The teams combined for 17 penalties all in the last two periods.
The Cardinals allowed three powerplay goals and another shorthand4ed.
The Cardinals host Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato at 3 p.m. Saturday.
St. Cloud Apollo 5, Willmar 3
SC Apollo (2-5, 4-9) 0 2 3-- 5
Willmar (0-5, 3-6) 0 0 3-- 3
FIRST PERIOD - no scoring
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SECOND PERIOD - Apo: Bob Roseland (Chad Hockemeyer) 6:27 pp ..... Apo: Dan Rhode (Tyler Keller) 15:21
THIRD PERIOD - Wil: Adam Schow (unassisted) 1:26... Apo: Hockemeyer (Rhode) 6:24, pp.... Apo: Joe Hartman (Steve Theis) 10:07, pp ..... Wil: Tyler Wahl (unassisted) 13:32, pp... Apo: Hartman (unassisted) 15:37, sh ... Wil: Josh Aslesen (Wahl) 16:58, pp:
Goalie saves - St. Cloud Apollo: Dan Ritter 3-0-10-13; Willmar: Kevin Maxfield 9-6-6-21
NEXT -- Willmar: Saturday, home vs. Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato, 3 p.m.
