WILLMAR -- The Willmar girls hockey team seemed to solidify its chances at getting the No. 1 seed for the upcoming Section 2A tournament after the Cardinals blanked Mankato West 2-0 Saturday to snap a five-game losing streak.
"All of the girls knew the importance of this game," said Willmar coach Lee Wierschem.
Willmar sophomore goaltender Baylie Young made 20 saves in the shutout as the Cardinals (9-9) outshot Mankato West 29-20.
"(Baylie) was just phenomenal again," said Wierschem. "We finally outshot (an opponent) and the shots are finally going in. Our forecheck had them bottled up all night and we are peaking at the right time."
KyLee Huschler scored 58 seconds into the game on a power-play goal that was unassisted. Ali Sing also scored unassisted late in the second period to give Young a little breathing room.
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Willmar's hope of receiving the section's top seed should have a greater chance now by having beating Mankato West (12-6) and Hutchinson (7-10). The top two seeds receive a first-round bye in the six-team bracket.
The Cardinals' next game is at section rival Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Willmar 2, Mankato West 0
Mankato West (12-6) 0 0 0 -- 0
Willmar (9-9) 1 1 0 -- 2
FIRST PERIOD - Wil: KyLee Huschler (unassisted) :58 (pp)
SECOND PERIOD - Wil: Ali Sing (unassisted) 12:52
THIRD PERIOD - no scoring
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GOALIE SAVES - Mankato West: Therese Coughlan 27 ... Willmar: Baylie Young 20
