WILLMAR-A late-season turnaround continued for the Willmar girls' hockey team on Tuesday night against Marshall. Now, they hope that will carry over into the postseason.
The Cardinals scored three first-period goals en route to a 5-1 win over Marshall in the final game of the regular season.
On Monday, Willmar will learn its seeding and matchup for postseason play, which will begin on Thursday.
After losing 18 of their first 21 games, the Cardinals are 3-0-1 in their last four.
"We're definitely playing our best hockey and feeling good," Willmar head coach Eric Setrum said. "Tonight was a continuation of that. We're excited to begin the second season now that we're picking it up."
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On senior night, two eighth graders led the way as Madison Garberding and Bailey Olson scored two goals each. There was a senior showcase, however, as Riley Schneider scored the Cardinals' last goal on a power play.
Willmar out-shot Marshall, 35-27 and converted two of three power plays.
In front of the net, Bryton Carlson had another standout performance, saving 26 of the 27 shots she faced.
"She was fantastic," Setrum said. "It's what we've gotten a little used to here. And we got some support in front of her, which was big."
Willmar 5, Marshall 1
Marshall 0 1 0 - 1
Willmar 3 2 0 - 5
FIRST PERIOD - W: Madison Garberding (Mya Monson, Rachel Swanson) 4:25, pp ... W: Bailey Olson (Riley Schneider, Serena Monson) 6:50 ... W: Garberding (Mya Monson, Rachel Swanson) 12:34
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SECOND PERIOD - M: Rachel VanKeulen (Sydney Mauch) 1:35, pp ... W: B. Olson (Natalie Amon, Riley Schneider) 3:49 ... W: Riley Schneider (Bailey Olson, Sydney Olson) 6:30, pp
THIRD PERIOD - No scoring
GOALIE SAVES - Marshall: Alexis Moat 13, Emma Klenken 17 ... Willmar: Bryton Carlson 26
