WILMAR -- It was a tough way to start 2010 for the Willmar Cardinals.
The Sartell Sabres cut the Cardinals down a notch winning a clash of Central Lakes Conference unbeatens 6-0 at the Civic Center on Tuesday evening.
"They just got on us and we didn't have our 'A' game," said Willmar coach Dan Tollefson. "They're a strong team, a big team, and according to their coaches that's the best they've played all year."
The Cardinals played a strong first period and trailed just 1-0 but the visitors posted four scores in the middle stanza to put the victory on ice.
The Sabres (5-0-1, 6-3-2) outshot Willmar (4-1, 8-2) by a margin of 23-11.
ADVERTISEMENT
Two of the Sabres' big playmakers, Matt Nahan and Austin Plaine, each scored a pair of goals in the second period.
The Sabres shut down Willmar's high-scoring first line and skated off four Cardinal power plays while twice scoring shorthanded.
The Cardinals are at St. Cloud Tech for a conference clash on Thursday and at home against section rival Detroit Lakes on Friday.
Sartell 6, Willmar 0
Sartell (5-0-1, 6-3-2) 1 4 1 -- 6
Willmar (4-1, 8-2) 0 0 0 -- 0
FIRST PERIOD - Sar: Kjell Mann (Matt Nahan, Sean Mann) 2:34
SECOND PERIOD - Sar: Nahan (unassisted) 4:31 ... Sar: Nahan (unassisted) 7:57 ... Sar: Austin Plaine (Matt Husmann, Chris Murray) 11:52 ... Sar: Plaine (unassisted) sh, 15:14
ADVERTISEMENT
THIRD PERIOD - Sar: Husmann (Andrew Deters) sh, 4;06
GOALIE SAVES - Sartell: Alex Halupczok 11 ... Willmar: Ben Leitch 17
