WILLMAR — The Willmar boys hockey team didn’t take long to make an impact on its home ice. The Cardinals scored two goals in the first period and added another in the second, helping them hold off a comeback attempt by visiting Breckenridge/Wahpeton. Willmar secured a 4-2 victory Saturday at the Willmar Civic Center Arena.
The win improves Willmar’s season record to 2-1-0. The Cardinals had beaten River Lakes 4-3 in overtime the previous night.
Senior Gibson Horyza opened the scoring for Willmar at the 6:46 mark of the first period. He battled through traffic in front of the net to net the game’s first goal. Later in the first period, Luke Larson extended the lead with a power-play goal at 10:59.
Horyza was back on the scoresheet in the second period with an unassisted goal, putting the Cardinals ahead 3-0. The Blades responded with goals from Jaxson Lopez and Easton Neppl, cutting the deficit to one.
With 5:36 remaining, Willmar’s Blake Grimsley provided insurance by scoring on the power play.
Horyza finished the game with two goals and an assist, while Grimsley also recorded an assist. Willmar goaltender Eli Ewert made 24 saves to secure the victory.
The Cardinals will begin a four-game road trip at 7 p.m. Thursday against Hutchinson at Burich Arena. Willmar is scheduled to return home on December 19 to face Redwood Valley.
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In other hockey action, Red Lake Falls built a commanding 4-0 lead in the first period en route to a victory over the Morris/Benson Area Storm at Cardin-Hunt Arena in Red Lake Falls. MBA’s only goal came late in the third period at 12:01, scored by Connor Hadfield with an assist from Gustav Holm.
Red Lake Falls outshot the Storm 45-30 in the game.
MBA’s next game is at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Wadena-Deer Creek at the Benson Civic Center.
https://www.wctrib.com/sports/prep/boys-hockey-roundup-willmar-cardinals-cash-in-early-in-home-win
