Continuing a six-game road trip to open their season, the Willmar WarHawks made a second trip to Breezy Point on Saturday. Unlike the season opener, Willmar managed to take two points from their NA3HL West Division foe.
A solid start by the WarHawks had the visitors with an early 7-1 shot advantage. Breezy Point responded and at 19:43 of the first scored the opening goal of the game. At first intermission the North Stars led on the scoreboard and shot total (19-11).
At 3:41 of the second the WarHawks got even when Riley Dixon (Mequon, WI) scored to tie it at 1-1. The teams then played fairly evenly before the Stars took the lead again at the 12:22 mark.
Momentum quickly turned just 2:31 later when Kyle Wendorf (Richfield) scored on assists from Brody Surette and Jacob Dobberstein. The score remained 2-2 after two periods of play.
In the third Willmar came out of the locker room with purpose taking their first lead just 1:09 into the final frame as Wendorf scored his second of the game. Just 2:49 later the WarHawks were on top 4-2 when Wendorf found Max Oelkers (Warroad) for his first goal of the season.
Far from done, Breezy Point scored two goals within :37 to tie the game 4-4. With over eight minutes to play the North Stars seemed poised to spoil the Willmar effort.
One final momentum change came in a hurry. With the home crowd still celebrating, Willmar took the faceoff and streaked down the ice scoring the game winner before the arena announcer had finished the North Stars fourth tally. Dixon scored his second of the night, assisted by Leonardo Ewald.
Not to be outdone – Willmar wins the faceoff and races down the ice to score again! 5-4 WarHawks lead! #NA3HL
— Willmar WarHawks (@WillmarWarHawks) October 9, 2016
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The victory was the fourth in-a-row for Willmar, who had shut out the Rochester Ice Hawks 7-0 the previous night. The WarHawks (4-1-0-0) will look to extend that streak on Friday when they take on New Ulm Steel (3-3-0-0) in the first of a two-game weekend set.
Willmar will make their long-awaited home debut on Saturday hosting New Ulm. Game time at the Civic Center Arena is scheduled for 7:10 PM.
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