Randy Volkmuth started the Brainerd Warriors off with the first goal in a 5-1 victory over the winless Maple Grove Crimson in Monday’s game at Riverside Elementary.
“We’ve been trying to do things differently in practice, “filming the games and watching them to learn some new things and to show them what can happen when you’re in the right place,” said Warriors coach Todd Person. “For (Volkmuth’s) first goal, the puck came right where he was and he was waiting and it’s great to show them that what can be there if they’re in the right spots.”
Volkmuth scored another goal in the second period along with Ray Borg and Zachary Denny, each of whom knocked in a goal.
Brock Saatzer scored the Warriors’ final goal and added three assists and Cody Vleck and Nate Engelmann each added assists.
Warriors goalie Harlee Annable, who played Monday’s game in a new set of wheels thanks to the Brainerd Sports Boosters Club, saved six shots.
“(Annable) did a great job in the goal, the sports boosters bought us a new chair, which came today, and he was in his new wheelchair for the first time tonight, which is really awesome,” said Person. “It’s so much faster than what he’s been using. It spins quicker and it’s really nice.”
Maple Grove 0 0 1 - 1
Brainerd 1 3 1 - 5
First period: Brd-Randy Volkmuth (Brock Saatzer) 14:30
Second period: Brd-Ray Borg (Brock Saatzer) :30, Brd-Randy Volkmuth 13:30, Brd-Zachary Denny (Cody Vleck, Brock Saatzer) 13:15
Third period: Brd-Brock Saatzer (Nate Engelmann) 11:25, MG-Olivia Maccoux (Laura Nelson) 11:59
Shots on goal: Brd 32, MG 7
Goalies: Brd-Harlee Annable (6 saves); MG-Daniel Bruechert (27 saves)
Overall: Brd 3-1-0. Next: Brainerd hosts Wayzata at Riverside Elementary 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
