GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Goaltenders Kyle Helmberger and Jared Stearns teamed up for a shutout as the Brainerd Warriors defeated Bismarck High 6-0 for third place in the Jason Stadstad tournament Friday.
Helmberger played the first period and a half, stopping 13 shots. Stearns entered with 8:51 left in the second and finished with 16 saves.
Cole Smith scored twice for the Warriors. Matt Pohlkamp, Aaron Rich, Reno Fussy and Mitch McLain each added goals as the Warriors improved to 10-2 overall.
Brainerd finished the tournament winning two of three games.
“Overall, we still have steps to make in order to be the type of team we want to become when the end of February comes,” Warriors assistant coach Jim Ernster said. “(Thursday’s) loss exposed some of the holes and weaknesses in our game that now we will have an opportunity to work on. We need to work on the types of things that will make us tighter defensively and stronger in our defensive zone.”
Bismarck 0 0 0 — 0
Brainerd 1 3 2 — 6
First period: Brd-Matt Pohlkamp (Logan Rivard, Cole Smith) 3:10
Second period: Brd-Aaron Rich (Mitchell McLain, Reno Fussy) 4:51, Brd-Smith (Rivard) 7:15, Brd-Smith 7:52
Third period: Brd-Fussy (McLain, Rich) 9:53, Brd-McLain (Rich, Fussy) 12:53
Shots on goal: Brd 35, Bis 29
Goalies: Brd-Kyle Helmberger (13 saves in first 25:49), Jared Steams (16 saves in final 25:49); Bis-Brett Malkmus (29 saves);
Overall: Brd 10-2. Next: Brainerd vs. River Lakes at Richmond 7:15 p.m. Thursday.
