Hockey roundup: Boys cruise to five goal victory, girls fall 2-0

The Alexandria boys hockey team found itself in a 3-0 hole in the first period on the road against the Willmar Cardinals.

Alexandria (9-6-1, 5-2-1 CLC) dug itself out of the hole in the second period and crushed Willmar (4-11, 0-6 CLC) in the final two frames to secure an 8-3 victory Tuesday.

All eight of the Alexandria goals came in the final two frames.

Senior forward Brycen Berg led the Alexandria attack with a hat trick and an assist. Berg has 13 goals and nine assists this season.

Junior forward Nicholas Peterson had two goals, both of which came in the second period.

Senior forward Josiah Gronholz had one goal and two assists, while junior forward Jack Breitzman and senior defender Brennan Lattimer each had one goal and assist.

Junior forward Tyler Kludt led Alexandria with three assists, while junior forward Joe Lamski dished out two assists. Sophomore forward Leo Kompeilen and senior forward Mason Stennes each dished out one assist.

Alexandria finished with a whopping 58-21 shots-on-goal advantage. Senior Gabe Evink earned the win in net for Alexandria with 18 saves.

Alexandria has scored eight goals or more three times this season, most recently on Jan. 4, against Monticello. Alexandria fell one goal short of tying it’s season-best goal outing of nine which it set on Dec. 14, 2022, against Sauk Rapids-Rice.

Sauk Rapids-Rice (5-12, 2-5 CLC) hosts Alexandria at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday.

Also in action at Willmar, the Alexandria girls hockey team couldn’t find the back of the net in a 2-0 defeat.

Both Willmar (12-10, 3-8 CLC) goals came in the third period. Lauren Ellers scored about a minute and half into the final frame on an assist from Makenna Larson. Nina Dawson scored the game’s final goal, short-handed, with 2:01 remaining.

Tuesday marks just the second time this season in which Alexandria has been held scoreless (Nov. 27 at Maple Grove). Alexandria (9-9-1, 5-4 CLC) played a clean game, finishing with zero penalties.

Willmar’s Halle Mortensen got the win with 28 saves, while Jordan O’Kane took the loss in net with 20 saves and the two goals allowed. In both meetings this season, the road team has been shut out, as Alexandria shut out Willmar in a 5-0 win on Dec. 9, 2021.

For the seventh time in eight games, Alexandria has held its opponent to two goals or less.

Alexandria is on the road at River Lakes (13-9, 3-6) Thursday. Puck drops at 7:15 p.m.