Cardinals top Warriors in season finale

ALEXANDRIA - Whitney Joyce scored Brainerd's first goal, but the Warriors already spotted the Central Lakes Conference leading Alexandria Cardinals a 2-0 lead before falling 5-3 in their final regular-season girls' hockey game Tuesday.

Joyce's goal came off assists by Jess Bye and Carolyn Sneep.

Elle Adams also scored in the second period and Bye added an unassisted goal in the third.

Kayla Helmberger kicked away 11 shots for the Warriors.

Brainerd 0 2 1 - 3

Alexandria 2 1 2 - 5

First period - Alx-Abby Williams (Kaitlyn Murphy) 6:10; Alx-Kathryn Delzappo (Williams) 7:26

Second period - Brd-Whitney Joyce (Jess Bye, Carolyn Sneep)ppg 11:23; Alx-Nikki Ecklund (Michelle Anez, Ashley Holmes)ppg 13:00; Brd-Elle Adams (Bye) 14:07

Third period - Alx-Ecklund (Williams, Delzappo)ppg :53; Alx-Anez (Williams, Delzappo)ppg 5:59; Brd-Bye 10:31

Shots on goal - Brd 28, Alex 16

Goalies - Brd- Kayla Helmberger (11 saves); Alex- Danielle Justice (25 saves)

Conference - Brd 11-5, Alex 15-1. Overall - Brd 13-11, Alex 23-2. Next game - No. 7-seeded Brainerd hosts No. 10-seeded Sartell in Section 8-2A play-in game 6:30 p.m. Thursday.