The Alexandria boys' hockey team overcame a slow start against Central Lakes Conference rival Willmar to earn a 3-2 win over the visiting Cardinals at the Runestone Community Center last Thursday night.
Willmar shocked Alexandria, scoring two times within the first couple minutes of the game. Grant Schow did the damage, scoring 22 seconds in and at the 2:04 mark to give his team a 2-0 lead.
The home Cardinals bounced back by the end of the period. Garrett Skinner cut the deficit in half just 34 seconds later off an assist from Nick Swanson. Less than two minutes later, Skinner returned the favor as he and Jordan Domine assisted on a goal by Swanson that evened things up before five minutes had run off the clock.
Things would settle down the rest of the way. Both goalies stepped up in the second with a combined 22 saves to send the game into the third tied at two apiece.
Alexandria did not wait long to strike for what turned out to be the game-winning goal. Skinner was again the hero as he took a pass from Domine and lit the lamp less than four minutes into the final frame. Willmar pulled goaltender Christian Yrttimaa in the final minute but the Alexandria defense held strong to secure the team's second win of the early season.
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Erich Murphy had his best game of the season in net for the home Cardinals. He got the win by turning aside 27 of the 29 shots he faced.
GAME SUMMARY
WILLMAR 2 0 0 - 2
ALEXANDRIA 2 0 1 - 3
SCORING SUMMARY - FIRST PERIOD - Willmar - Grant Schow (Gabriel Amon), 0:22; Willmar - Schow (PPG) (Peterson Landon, Liam Johnston), 2:04; Alexandria - Garrett Skinner (Nick Swanson), 2:38; Alexandria - Swanson (PPG) (Skinner, Jordan Domine), 4:11; PENALTIES - Alexandria - Jacob Smith, two minute minor for roughing, 1:41; Willmar - Hunter Schneider, two minute minor for tripping, 3:53; Alexandria - Charlie Wensman, two minute minor for interference, 6:16; Willmar - Liam Johnston, two minute minor for elbowing, 11:35
SECOND PERIOD - No scoring; PENALTIES - Willmar - Zech Streed, two minute minor for interference, 1:49; Alexandria - Andrew Hittle, two minute minor for interference, 7:48
THIRD PERIOD - Alexandria - Skinner (Domine), 3:48; PENALTIES - Willmar - Schneider, two minute minor for high sticking, 5:34; Willmar - Tyler Bredesen, two minute minor for interference, 10:51; Alexandria - Wensman, two minute minor for tripping, 11:10
GOALTENDING - Alexandria - Murphy - W, 27 saves, 29 shots faced; Willmar - Yrttimaa - L, 23 saves, 26 shots faced
