WILLMAR -- The Willmar Cardinals got just what they needed -- and what was expected -- out of their home invitational: three wins while piling up 19 goals.
The Cardinals whipped Luverne 6-2 early Wednesday night at the Civic Center to conclude the three-day Willmar Bus event.
The wins upped Willmar's record to 4-5, after a 1-5 start.
"It's a good way to get back on track and score some goals," said senior Gabe Amon, who assisted on Grant Schow goals in the second and third periods. "We got a lot of people involved and different people scoring. We stayed greedy (today), threw the puck on net and looked for rebounds. Nothing fancy."
Willmar and Luverne, a varsity program in its 12th year and playing in the Southwest Conference, were meeting for the first time on ice. It was a struggle for the southern Cardinals to match Willmar's tempo.
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"(Willmar) worked hard and was flying around," said their coach Tony Sandbaulte. "They got the puck deep. We had a tough time with their speed and quickness and they don't give you much space, but we were pleased with our hard our kids played."
Luverne (4-3) took out Becker/Big Lake and the Mansfield (Texas) Tigers to reach the final. Willmar crumpled River Lakes 8-3 and the Pierre (SD) Capitals 5-1.
Willmar put two scores up in every period with a 48-15 shot margin.
Liam Johnston spin and hard wrist shot from the top of the right ring provided a 1-0 lead in the first two minutes. Austin Pakola followed at 15:10 from the same spot, a quick one-touch 30-footer after Johnston had carried from center ice and drove a shot into the chest pad of Luverne goalie Nathan Thompson that caromed out to Pakola. It proved the game-winner.
Schow and Hunter Schneider tallied in the middle frame.
Zach Dingmann ended a shutout bid by Christian Yrttimaa by scoring on a rush with Jonny Solma at 1:06 of the third. Landon Peterson and Schow wrapped up the scoring as Willmar continued to apply relentless pressure at the Luverne end.
Willmar returns to Central Lakes' clashes Jan. 7 hosting Fergus Falls.
Willmar 6, Luverne 1
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Luverne (4-3) 0 0 1 -- 1
Willmar (4-5) 2 2 2 -- 6
FIRST PERIOD - Wil: Liam Johnston (Landon Peterson) 1:49 ... Wil: Austin Pakola (Johnston) 15:10
SECOND PERIOD - Wil: Grant Schow (Matt Eddy, Gabe Amon) 7:47 ... Wil: Hunter Schneider (Tom Chester) 13:34
THIRD PERIOD - Luv: Zach Dingmann (Jonny Solma) 1:06 ... Wil: Landon Peterson (unassisted) 3:27 ... Wil: Schow (Peterson, Amon) pp, 6:03 GOALIE SAVES - Luverne: Nathan Thompson/Kendall Meyer 42 ... Willmar: Christian Yrttimaa 14
