Tigers finish as BSC tri-champions after tying Minnesota River
LESEUER –The Marshall girls hockey team’s regular-season ended in a scoreless draw on Saturday afternoon. After falling to Luverne to lose sole possession of first place in the Big South, the Tigers settled for their second draw of the season against Minnesota River, finishing with a 0-0 tie to conclude the regular season tied with Luverne and Minnesota River for first place with 27 points.
The result marks the second consecutive year in which Marshall got a share of the conference title after finishing with sole possession last season. It was the Tigers’ first conference title since 2006.
Marshall outshot Minnesota 38-34 in the game and 35-28 in regulation. Through two periods, the Tigers held a 21-13 advantage in shots on goal but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Lily Stelter again stepped up when it mattered most for Marshall, recording 34 saves and posting her sixth shutout of the season to salvage the draw. For the Bulldogs, Annika Magelee saved each of the 38 shots she faced for her eighth shutout of the year.
Marshall wraps up its regular season at 20-3-2, a step up from last year’s 16-8-1 mark. The Tigers will start their postseason run on Saturday when they host the winner of No. 4 New Ulm and No. 5 Windom. A time is yet to be determined.
PREP BOYS HOCKEY
Marshall 8, Minnesota River 1
LESEUER — The Marshall boys hockey team got some comeuppance on Saturday afternoon. After falling 7-0 to Minnesota River on Dec. 21, the Marshall Tigers made a statement on Monday with an 8-1 victory over the Bulldogs on the road.
Easton Larsen and Owen Renslow each scored in the first period to give the Tigers an early lead. Larsen’s goal was assisted by Jacob Allen and Tate Mellenthin while Renslow’s was assisted by Brenden Weller and Jacob Johnson.
Allen, Johnson and Weller each scored goals of their own as well. Allen’s and Johnson’s came consectutively in the second period after Luke Ehlers nettd a power play goal to start the frame, while Weller’s came at the start of the third period.
Ehlers also assisted Allen’s goal and scored an even-strength goal off a feed from Easton Greenwood and Renslow.
Renslow finished the night with five points for Marshall while Ehlers was second on the team with three.
Nathan Lenz saved 18 of the 19 shots he faced in the win. Marshall outshot Minnesota River 39-19.
The Bulldogs’ lone goal came in the final minue while trailing 8-0.
Marshall improves to 10-11-0 overall and 8-5-0 in the Big South Conference with the win, putting them in third place. Their 16 points puts them behind Luverne’s 23 and Waseca’s 21, and ahead of New Ulm’s 14.
Marshall will next compete tonight at 7 p.m. when it hosts Luverne.