Windom Area 2-3-2 = 7
Marshall 0-0-1 = 1
It was a historic night for the Windom Area boys hockey team Thursday, as the Eagles defeated Marshall 7-1 in the Section 3A playoffs at Marshall.
With the win, the Eagles advanced to the semifinal round of the section tournament for the first time since becoming a high school program.
The Eagles wasted little time jumping out to a lead. Wriley Haugen got the Eagles on the scoreboard 3:17 into the game off an assist from Karson LaCanne.
The Tigers then took a penalty, with the Eagles cashing it in. Zach Espenson intercepted a clearing attempt and blasted a slap shot into the net, giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead at the 8:18 mark of the first period.
Windom Area kept the pressure on in the second period, as Brady Espenson and Ethan Purrington each scored unassisted goals early in the period.
Then, with 24 seconds left on the second period clock and the Eagles killing off a penalty, Ethan Rabbe fed a pass to Cragen Porath, who fired a shot into the top shelf of the net for a shorthanded goal, giving the Eagles a 5-0 lead.
The Eagles were able to stretch the lead to 6-0 early in the third as Haugen scored his second goal of the game.
Marshall was able to break the shutout at the 4:15 mark of the final period, but a goal from Vance Koch two minutes later gave the Eagles a 7-1 victory.
Windom Area outshot Marshall 31-21 in the game. Eagle goalie Dan Stubbe finished with 20 saves.
With the win, the Eagles will face top-seeded New Ulm on Saturday in New Ulm, beginning at 4 p.m.
Next games: Check for updates after each game.
Windom Area: at New Ulm, Feb. 26
