Riley Schneider iced a pair of goals and Bryton Carlson collected 12 saves as Willmar ousted Prairie Centre from the Section 6A hockey playoffs Thursday with a 3-1 victory.
After a scoreless first period the fourth-seeded Cardinals took a 1-0 lead on a Schneider goal at the 10:34 mark of the second period. Hannah Kobienia earned the first of her two assists on the play. Schneider tacked on the game's second goal 3:31 into the third period with help again rom Kobienia. Bailey Olson made it a 3-0 game with assists from Schneider and Rachel Swanson at the 12:33 mark.
The fifth-seeded Blue Devils were finally able to cash in at the 13:39 mark of the final period when Shelby Otte scored. Sara McCoy and Abby Ecker were credited with assists.
"We were really pressing offensively and we took quite a few shots from bad angles, which played right into the hands of our opponent, as it allowed them to make a considerable amount of odd man rushes going the other direction," Prairie Centre head coach Bob Bergman said.
Bergman gave the start in goal to Isabelle Hovel. The sophomore netminder kicked out 19 shots.
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The Blue Devils, who split with Willmar during the regular season, ended the season at 11-12-2.
Willmar 0 1 2 - 3
Prairie Centre 0 0 1 - 1
First Period
No Scoring
Second Period
W: Riley Schneider (Hannah Kobienia) 10:34
Third Period
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W: Schneider (Kobienia) 3:31
W: Bailey Olson (Schneider, Rachel Swanson) 12:33
PC-Shelby Otte (Sara McCoy, Abby Ecker) 13:39
Saves
Isabelle Hovel (PC) 19; Bryton Carlson (W) 12
