Photo by Sam Thiel Marshall’s Landon Frost controls the puck during their game against Waseca on Saturday. The Tigers fell to the Bluejays 2-1.

MARSHALL — After winning six of its past nine games, the Marshall boys hockey team looked to close its regular season on a high note with a final matchup against Waseca. The Tigers were able to battle back from an early deficit, but a late goal by the Bluejays in the third period was just enough to be the difference as Marshall fell 2-1 on Saturday at the Red Baron Arena and Expo.

Marshall coach Michael Weiss felt they played well overall, but just couldn’t capitalize on their chances when they needed to most.

“I thought we played a good game, we just didn’t capitalize on the chances that we had and we missed the net a few too many times and just didn’t put the puck in enough to win the game,” Weiss said.

The Tigers found their backs against the wall early, as Waseca got on the board in the first period to take a 1-0 lead. In search of a spark, Marshall was able to capitalize in the second frame when Tristan VanDeVere scored on the assist from Kaleb Welvaert to tie things at one goal apiece with roughly 11 minutes left.

Weiss said in the second frame, they did a better job of making sharp passes in the neutral zone as well as taking more shots on net.

“In the second, I thought we came out and we were connecting on passes through the neutral zone a little bit better,” Weiss said. “In the zone, we were getting more shots, more rebound opportunities and created a few more chances for ourselves.”

After neither team could find the back of the net for the next several minutes, it appeared the two Big South foes were ready to decide things in overtime. But Waseca had other ideas, however, and the Bluejays found the back of the net one final time, scoring with a little more than two minutes left to take a 2-1 lead before holding off a late offensive attack by the Tigers to earn the victory.

Marshall outshot Waseca 27-18 on the game. Dominik Caspers recorded 16 saves in net for the Tigers.

‘A good learning

opportunity’

Just like the Marshall girls team and several other hockey teams around the state, the Tiger boys team helped raise money for Waseca police officer Arik Matson. On Saturday, Marshall raised $1,430 for donation and Weiss said being able to give back to the Matson family and the Waseca community was a good opportunity for their players to do something that extends beyond the ice.

“It’s a good opportunity to show our boys that sometimes it’s bigger than the game and the hockey community is something where teams are going to help each other out when they fall on hard times,” Weiss said. “It’s a good learning opportunity for the kids and a good chance to help out a community and a family that needs it.”

Up next

Marshall (16-9) will begin Section 3A tournament play on Thursday when it hosts No. 5 seed Luverne at 7 p.m. Weiss said with the next loss meaning the end of the season, they need to make the most of their opportunities when they are presented in order to keep their season going.

“It’s win-or-go-home now,” Weiss said. “When you get your opportunities, you’ve got to make sure you’re making the most of it and getting pucks on net, getting second opportunities and putting the puck in the net.”

Waseca 2, Marshall 1

Waseca 1 0 1 – 2

Marshall 0 1 0 – 1

SCORING SUMMARY

First Period

Waseca: Nordquist, 15:16 (Hansen, Priebe).

Penalties

No penalties.

Second Period

Marshall: VanDeVere, 5:23 (Welvaert).

Penalties

Waseca: Priebe, 6:35 (Slashing, 2 min.)

Third Period

Waseca: Ahlschlager, 14:57 (Johnson, Huttemier).

Penalties

No penalties.

SOG: Marshall 27; Waseca 18.

Saves: Caspers 16; Diedrich 26.