The Warhawks extended their winning streak to three coming out of the pause with a 6-1 victory at Alexandria last Wednesday night. For the third straight game Willmar came out on fire scoring three goals in the 1st period. Tommy Raith opened the scoring two minutes into the game with assists from Lewis Rowan and Nate Cox. Michael Sweetland scored his 10th of the year with assists from Jack Willis and Ethan Light to make it 2-0, then Alex Kupka notched his 3rd of the season with assists going to Hendry Andres and Cole Wigestrand. The Warhawks extend their lead in the second with Kupka’s second of the game, and led 5-0 early in the third when Sweetland scored his 2nd of the game. Austin Jozwick closed out the scoring for the Warhawks with his 4th of the year. Jeremiah Konkel and Lewis Rowan got the assists. Lukas Haugen stopped 29 of 30 for the victory in net. Sweetland, Kupka, Jozwick and Willis all had 2 point nights.
On Saturday Willmar traveled to North Iowa for another shot at the Bulls, but came up just short in a 5-3 loss. After North Iowa opened the scoring midway through the first Cole Wigestrand tied it up with his 4th of the year on assists from Austin Jozwick and Alex Kupka. The Bulls rattled off the next 3 goals for a 4-1 lead early in the third period. Willmar came alive with two power play goals late in the 3rd to pull within a goal at 4-3. Kupka scored his 5th on assists from Ben Johnson and Hunter Bjorge, and then Lewis Rowan scored his 1st as a Warhawk. Dylan Gajewski and Kupka picked up the assists. That’s as close Willmar got though as the Bulls sealed the game with an empty netter.
Willmar (8-10 – 16 pts) is tied for 2nd place in the West with Granite City, and one point ahead of Alexandria who they will host Friday night. The Warhawks will then host New Ulm on Saturday. Tickets are available at tickets.willmarwarhawks.com
