WILLMAR — The River Lakes girls hockey team’s special teams stifled host Willmar before a large crowd and the home squad’s band on Thursday night. River Lakes scored a power-play, an even-strength and a short-handed goal in its 3-1 win against the Cardinals at Willmar Civic Center Arena. The Stars, who went 2-for-2 on penalty kills, improved to 2-3.
Willmar, which has been outscored 15-4 through six games, is 0-6. Bria Larson, who was one of two skaters to record a mutli-point night for River Lakes, snatched the game’s opening goal seven minutes into the first period. Her tally came on the power-play and off a feed from Addie Olson, who recorded two first-period primary assists.
Olson’s second primary assist came on Madi Wendlandt’s first goal of the season, which gave the Stars a padded lead 3:25 after Larson’s goal. Willmar, facing a 2-0 deficit, entered the third period on the power-play with an opportunity to find its footing. But, Sophia Hess, one of the area’s top players, quickly stalled any momentum.
Hess rifled the puck past Cardinals senior goaltender Erin Eilers for a short-handed goal 27 seconds into the third period. The senior captain, who is committed to the NCAA Division III University of Wisconsin-River Falls, has five goals and an assist in five games. For the first time this season, a Willmar skater not named Avery Olson scored a goal.
Ryah Gorans buried the first goal of her sophomore season. Her goal came at 11:56 of the third period from Gabrielle Revier. One of the area’s top goaltenders, Kaydence Roeske, made 20 saves for the Stars.
She is committed to the NCAA Division I Minnesota State-University Mankato. River Lakes hosts Cloquet/Esko/Carlton at 3 p.m.
Saturday at River Lakes Civic Arena in Richmond. Willmar hosts New Ulm at 7 p.m.
Tuesday back at Willmar Civic Center Arena. River Lakes 3, Willmar 1 Prairie Centre 3, MBA 0 Natasha Ludwig netted a pair of goals and Bryn Gramentz added another in the Prairie Centre Blue Devils’ shutout of the Morris/Benson Area Storm at Benson Civic Arena. Elsa Knoblauch stopped all 27 shots in goal for Prairie Centre.
Goaltender Ava Breuer had 21 saves for MBA. MBA plays International Falls at 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 29 at International Falls Ice Arena..
Sports
Girls hockey roundup: River Lakes finds ways to score in win at Willmar
Stars score short-handed and on the power-play in 3-1 victory. Also Thursday, Prairie Centre downs MBA Storm.