WILLMAR — Cole Smith netted the game winner with his third goal of the night as the Brainerd Warriors rallied with three third-period goals to edge the Willmar Cardinals 6-5 in Tuesday’s Central Lakes Conference game.
Chris Pohlkamp scored twice and Reno Fussy accounted for the remaining goal, an unassisted score to tie the game at 5-5 with 5:42 left to play.
Logan Rivard was credited with three assists and Jacob Ellingson two.
Goalie Kyle Helmberger registered 11 saves as the Warriors claimed a 35-16 shots on goal advantage of the Cardinals.
Brainerd improves to 11-2 in the conference, 16-5 overall.
Willmar 1 3 1 — 5
Brainerd 1 2 3 — 6
First period: Brd-Cole Smith (Logan Rivard) 4:56; W-Preston Peterson (Hunter Schneider, Ryan Woltjer) ppg 7:12
Second period: W-Preston Peterson 3:01; Brd-Smith (Thomas Stoxen) 4:29; W-TJ Mattson (Schneider, Cole Hagen) 5:16; Brd-Christopher Pohlkamp (Rivard) 12:37; W-Schneider 13:00
Third period: Brd-Pohlkamp (Rivard, Jacob Ellingson) 1:59; W-Schneider (Evan VanDenEinde, Zech Streed) 8:54; Brd-Reno Fussy 11:18; Brd-Smith (Pohlkamp, Ellingson) 12:01
Shots on goal: Brd 35, W 16
Goalies: Brd-Kyle Helmberger (11 saves); W-Joe Benson (26 saves)
Conference: Brd 11-2-0. Overall: Brd 16-5-0. Next: Brainerd hosts Buffalo 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5.
