ALEXANDRIA -- Willmar scored twice in the first two minutes in a Central Lakes Conference clash with Alexandria, but the hometown Cardinals kept the visitors scoreless for the remainder of the game en route collecting a 3-2 in the CLC opener Thursday.
Grant Schow scored 22 seconds into the game on a feed from Tom Chester to give Willmar (0-1, 0-3) a quick 1-0 lead. Liam Johnston then struck less than two minutes later as the senior got a pass from Landon Peterson to score on a power play.
But Garrett Skinner and Alexandria (1-0, 2-1) answered just 34 seconds after Johnston's goal to cut the deficit to one. Nick Swanson then tied the game at 2-2 by converting a power play 4:11 into the game.
The teams then played scoreless hockey for the remainder of the period and the entire second period. After being outshot by one in the first period, Willmar outshot Alexandria 13-9 in the second period.
Skinner found the back of the net again early in the third period to break a scoreless drought and give Alexandria a 3-2 lead 3:48 into the period.
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Willmar fired off eight shots on the Alexandria net in the final period, but Erich Murphy turned away every shot and finished with 26 saves in the win. Christian Yrttimaa made 23 saves in the Willmar net.
Willmar killed four of Alexandria's five powerplays on defense while the offensive special teams unit converted on one powerplay in four attempts.
Willmar hosts Hutchinson for a late matinee at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Alexandria 3, Willmar 2
Willmar (0-1-0, 0-3-0) 2 0 0 -- 2
Alexandria (1-0-0, 2-1-0) 2 0 1 -- 3
FIRST PERIOD - Wil: Grant Schow (Tom Chester) :22 ... Wil: Liam Johnston (Landon Peterson) 2:04, pp ... Alex: Garrett Skinner (Nick Swanson) 2:38 ... Alex: Nick Swanson (Skinner, Jordan Domine) 4:11, pp
SECOND PERIOD - no scoring
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THIRD PERIOD - Alex: Skinner (Domine) 3:48
GOALIE SAVES - Willmar: Christian Yrttimaa 23 ... Alexandria: Erich Murphy 26
