WILLMAR -- Willmar sophomore forward Erin Sheehan picked a great time to score her first goal of the season.
From the side of the net, Sheehan poked a rebound by Detroit Lakes' goalie Janaye Johnson to give the Cardinals a 3-2 win in overtime on Friday in the championship game of the Willmar Girls Hockey Classic at the Civic Center.
Linemate Chelsey Wierschem carried the puck into the Lakers' zone. Taylor Sandberg got off a shot that was stopped but Sheehan pounced on the carom.
"I don't know of anyone who's had more chances this year than Erin," said Willmar coach Rick Dahle. "There's not a better time for her to break the ice."
Willmar's third win of the Civic Center ice fest brought their record to 7-7.
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Allison Johnson made 17 saves for the win in goal. Willmar outshot the Lakers 29-19.
Defense dominated the first period with neither team getting good looks on goal.
The scoring drought ended when Lakers' senior forward Molly Braun punched the puck by Willmar's Johnson at 2:10 of the middle frame, a powerplay.
Willmar tied it 1-1 at 13:36 when Ali Sing, from Wierschem, scored with Willmar on a 5-on-3 advantage.
Wierschem, who figured in all three Willmar goals, put Willmar up 2-1 at 4:44 of the third but Ally Nielsen tied it with a tally at 12:03.
Sheehan ended the tension 3:15 into the extra frame.
Willmar 3, Detroit Lakes2
Detroit Lakes (5-8) 0 1 1 0 -- 2
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Willmar (7-7) 0 1 1 1 -- 3
FIRST PERIOD - no scoring
SECOND PERIOD - DL: Molly Braun (unassisted) 2:10, power play ... Wil: Alexandra Sing (Chelsey Wierschem) 13:36, pp
THIRD PERIOD - Wil: Wierschem (unassisted) 4:44 ... DL Ally Nielson (Danica Maloney) 12:03
THIRD PERIOD - Wil: Erin Sheehan (Taylor Sandberg) 3:45
GOALIE SAVES - Detroit Lakes: Janaye Johnson 7-9-7-2-25 ... Willmar: Allison Johnson 5-7-5-0-17
