MARSHALL – For the first time in the 22-year history of the program, the Windom Area boys hockey team has advanced to the semifinals of the Section 3A boys hockey tournament.
The fifth-seeded Eagles scored two goals in the first period, three in the second and two more in the third for a 7-1 win over fourth-seeded Marshall Thursday at Red Baron Arena. Windom won the season series between the Big South Conference rivals 2-1, with the road team winning each game.
Senior Dan Stubbe, one of four Jackson County Central student-athletes on the Windom Area roster, was the winning goalie, making 20 saves. He had seven stops in the first period, five in the second and eight in the third.
The Eagles had a 6-0 lead before the Tigers scored their lone goal at 4:15 of the third period. Windom Area got the goal back two minutes later at the 6:15 mark and the game would end under running time.
Wriley Haugen scored two goals for Windom Area. Vance Koch had a two-point game on a goal and an assist.
Scoring one goal apiece were Zach Espenson, Brady Espenson, Ethan Purrington, and Cragen Portath. Also recording assists for the Eagles were Karson LaCanne, Ethan Rabbe and Sonny Heil.
Other JCC student-athletes playing for Windom Area are junior Chase Hamlett and sophomores Brad Gentry and Luke Anderson.
The Eagles, now 12-13-1, play at top-seeded New Ulm (20-6) Saturday. Puck drop is 4 p.m. at New Ulm Civic Center.
New Ulm won both regular-season meetings, 6-1 at Windom on Jan. 24 and 4-3 at New Ulm on Feb. 4.
Saturday’s other semifinal has third-seeded Luverne (15-10) playing second-seeded Mankato East/Loyola (15-10-1) at 4 p.m. at All Seasons Arena in Mankato. The championship game is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Mayo Health System Events Center in Mankato.
SECTION 3A BOYS HOCKEY
Wednesday, Feb. 23
First round
Fairmont 5, Minnesota River 2
Mankato West 10, Redwood Valley 0
Thursday, Feb. 24
Quarterfinals
Windom Area 7, Marshall 1
New Ulm 10, Fairmont 1
Mankato East/Loyola 6, Mankato West 0
Luverne 7, Worthington 1
Saturday, Feb. 26
Semifinals
Windom Area (12-13-1) at New Ulm (20-6), 4 p.m.
Luverne (15-10) at Mankato East/Loyola (15-10-1), 4 p.m.
Wednesday, March 2
At Mayo Health System Events Center, Mankato
Championship
Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.