DETROIT LAKES -- Grant Schow scored 14 seconds into overtime and Ben Leitch made 37 saves as Willmar outlasted Detroit Lakes 4-3 Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Section 6A tournament in boys hockey.
"We have a certain play that is a gamble play where we shoot our forwards through their line," said Willmar coach Dan Tollefson about the quick goal in overtime. "There was a scrum for the puck in the corner and it came to Grant Schow and he just banged it home."
The win avenges a 4-2 loss to the Lakers on Jan. 8 in Willmar and propels the No. 5 Cardinals (15-10) into Saturday's semifinals against top-seeded Alexandria (19-6-1) at 7 p.m. in Alexandria.
Alexandria and Willmar split two meetings this season with Willmar winning 3-2 Dec. 15 in Willmar and Alexandria winning 5-2 Jan. 26 in Alexandria.
"Our goal was to get into the semifinals and we've done that," said Tollefson. "We feel we match up with Alexandria."
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Willmar forced an extra session against Detroit Lakes after Landon Peterson's second goal of the game with 6:18 left in the third period stood up.
"It was one of those games that could have gone either way," said Tollefson. "They were having a hard time with our forecheck. And Ben came up really solid and played a good game for us."
Detroit Lakes junior forward Tanner Lane was held without a goal. He entered the game tied for the state lead in points with 49 goals and 41 assists. He left with an injury to his shoulder in the third period in a collision with Grant Schow. "We put a shadow on him," said Tollefson about being able to control Lane. "Landon Peterson shadowed him all night. Not only did he not get any points, but Landon scored two goals."
Willmar had two penalties to five for Detroit Lakes.
Willmar 4, Detroit Lakes 3
Willmar (15-10) 1 1 1 1 -- 4
Detroit Lakes (15-9-2) 1 1 1 0 -- 3
FIRST PERIOD - Wil: Landon Peterson (Grant Schow) 16:21 ... DL: Nate Baker (Brett Prevo) 16:33
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SECOND PERIOD - Wil: Paul Schrupp (Jake Tone) pp, 2:31 ... DL: Ryan Berg (Andy Schupp, Chad Martinson) 9:42
THIRD PERIOD - DL: Baker (Alex Phelps, Prevo) pp, 9:02 ... Wil: Peterson (James Johnston, Liam Johnston) 11:22
OVERTIME - Schow (Gabe Amon) :14
GOALIE SAVES - Willmar: Ben Leitch 37 ... Detroit Lakes: Andrew Friesen 34
