ALBERT LEA – A two-game hockey series held across the border in Minnesota had a local flair.
The Waldorf Warriors Hockey team battled the Iowa State Cyclones D3 team this weekend in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Both teams showcased three former Mason City Mohawk hockey players. Derek Barnes, CJ Weber and Spencer Popinga all play for Waldorf, while Kinsey Cornick, Justin Metli and Isaac Gribben all play for ISU. Barnes scored the game-winning goal in game 1 for the Warriors.
The teams split their games, with Waldorf winning 3-2 on Saturday and Iowa State winning 2-1 on Sunday. The two teams split last year, as well.
Waldorf is in only its second full season with a hockey team.
Waldorf fell behind 1-0 after one period of play in game one, but were able to post two goals scored during the second period.
Aaron Bevers (Fr-Fridley, MN) scored the power play goal at the 10:50 mark to tie the game at 1-1. They used the momentum to score the go-ahead goal at 12:37 off the stick of Brent Putney (So-White Bear Lake, MN). The Cyclones would net the equalizer at the 16:04 mark. After two periods, it remained knotted at 2-2.
Waldorf would emerge with a 3-2 victory after Derrick Barnes (Fr-Mason City, IA) netted the game-winning goal at 12:33 in the third period. The Cyclones held the advantage on the offensive attack racking up 46 shots, but goalie, Robert Cordes (Fr-Polk City, IA) was able to record 44 saves on the night.
Iowa State jumped ahead early in the second game of the series, played Sunday.
The Cyclones’ Ludvicek netted a power play goal just 1:28 into the first period. The Warriors would not answer until the second period when Jesse Orttel (So-Isanti, MN) scored on a power play at the 2:24 mark. Following the goal the Cyclones sought the equalizer, as the Warriors skated two players down due to penalties. Waldorf was able to kill most of the power play, but the Cyclones snuck in their second goal before the power play ran out. That goal would be the difference as Iowa State took the 2-1 victory.
Michael Nelson (So-Blaine, MN) got the start in goal and collected 33 saves on 35 shots from the Cyclones.
After the weekend the Warriors move to 20-6-1 on the season and will begin WCCHA tournament play on Friday in Blaine, Minnesota.
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Saturday, February 2nd
#14 Waldorf College 3
#4 Iowa State University 2
Scoring summary:
1st Period:
14:12 ISU Salaman (Foerstel, Ludvicek)
2nd Period:
10:50 WC A Bevers (C Weber, Taylor) PP
12:37 WC Putney (A Bevers)
16:04 ISU Ludvicek (unassisted)
3rd Period:
12:33 WC Barnes (Frost, Palmer) GWG
Goaltending summary:
ISU – Rice (23 shots-20 saves)
WC – Cordes (46 shots-44 saves)
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Sunday, February 3rd
#4 Iowa State University 2
#14 Waldorf College 1
Scoring summary:
1st Period:
1:28 ISU Ludvicek (Salaman) PP
2nd Period:
2:24 WC Orttel (Popinga) PP
12:01 ISU Werner (Ludvicek) PP GWG
Goaltending summary:
ISU Ness (24 shots-23 saves)
WC Nelson (35 shots-33 saves)
