Photo by Jake McNeill: Marshall forward Brendan Price (17) threads a pass between a pair of defenders during a prep boys hockey game against Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato on Saturday at Red Baron Arena in Marshall.

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MARSHALL — A career day by goaltender McCoy Guenther wasn’t enough to lift the Marshal boys hockey team to victory against Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato on Saturday in Marshall’s Thanksgiving tournament. Guenther logged a career-high 39 saves, including 31 of the first 32 shots he faced, but the Tigers fell 3-1.

Prior to Saturday’s effort, in which Guenther saved 39 of the 41 shots he faced, his career-high save total was 27 in a 5-3 win over Litchfield last year. LDC’s third goal on Saturday was an empty-netter as time expired.

The game was tied at one goal apiece heading into the final frame. Mason Karnik fired off a shot in goal from close range, which Guenther deflected, but Anton Haataja recovered the rebound and shot it into the back of the net for the go-ahead goal before Guenther could shift his momentum. Brody Berggren was also credited with an assist on the play.

Riley Pfaanschmidt came up with the game’s first goal, capitalizing on a feed from Jacob Allen for a 1-0 lead just over a minute into the game. The goal was Pfaanschmidt’s first of the season and second of his varsity career.

Marshall’s lead was short-lived, however. LDC responded less than two minutes later when Berggren scored the equalizer off an assist from Karnik and Goose Christianson.

Litchfield outshot Marshall 42-9 in the game, and 27-3 after the first period. Griffin Niska buckled down to save eight of the nine shots he faced for Litchfield.

Marshall worked its way into the attacking zone in the final minute but was unable to capitalize. Haataja cleared the puck from goalline to goalline to convert the empty-netter as time expired.

After spending 24 minutes in the penalty box in Friday’s win, Marshall played more disciplined hockey on Saturday and was called for four penalties for eight minutes on the box. LDC was charged with four penalties for 11 minutes, including a game misconduct in the second period.

Marshall falls to 1-2-0 with the loss and returns to action on Thursday when it goes on the road to take on Luverne (3-0-0) at 7 p.m.