WILLMAR -- The Cardinals got off to a flying start behind the "Delta Line."
Center Hunter Schneider and wingers Hunter Mottinger and Zech Streed accounted for five goals to lift Willmar to a 7-3 victory over Morris/Benson Area on Tuesday night in the season opener for both teams.
Someone suggested the first line might be called the Delta Line since "They're always flyin' " up and down the ice.
Schneider scored three times and Mottinger and Streed once each. Graham Dahl and Cole Hagen also scored.
The Cardinals, who lost 4-3 in the Benson arena a year ago this week, led 6-0 before brothers Brody and Tanner Gimberlin scored 40 seconds apart starting in the 13th minute of the second period. Storm forward Luke Schwarz had the only marker of the third period.
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"We jumped out (6-0) and that was good for us," said Dan Tollefson starting his fifth season as Willmar's head coach. "We tightened up after that. This is a big win for us against a good, well-coached team. It's a section win and they're going to help us in (seeding) by beating some teams."
Both Willmar and MBA roster five seniors and are remodling after losing their scoring leaders and starting goaltending from senior-heavy squads that each won 16 games in 2010-11.
Willmar goalie Derek Baker stopped 16 of 19 shots on goal, including several key saves in the first period. MBA keeper Matt Huot made 21 saves.
"We had a lot of opportunities tonight," added Tollefson. "Graham Dahl, Preston Peterson and Cam Swenson all got some nice chances."
Willmar hosts Litchfield/DC on Friday, the first meeting in four seasons, while MBA will host Spring Lake Park in Morris on Thursday.
Willmar 7, MBA Storm 3
MBA (0-1) 0 2 1 -- 3
Willmar (1-0) 4 3 0 -- 7
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FIRST PERIOD - Wil: Hunter Mottinger (Hunter Schneider) 4:09 ... Wil: Schneider (unassisted) ... Wil: Graham Dahl (Preston Peterson) 11:23 ... Wil: Schneider (Matt Eddy) 15:16
SECOND PERIOD - Wil: Cole Hagen (Tyler Pendill) 2:20 ... Wil: Hiunter Schneider (Mottinger) 9:30 ... MBA: Brody Gimberlin (Kelly Engquist) 13:51 ... MBA: Tanner Gimberlin (unassisted) 14:31 ... Wil: Zech Streed (Schneider) 16:04
THIRD PERIOD - MBA: Luke Schwarz (B. Gimberlin) 10:00
GOALIE SAVES - Morris/Benson Area: Matt Huot 2-9-10-21 ... Willmar: Derek Baker 3-8-5-16
