Williams, Nelson lead Brainerd

SAUK RAPIDS - Jake Williams and Joe Nelson had hat tricks as the Brainerd Warriors blanked Sauk Rapids 6-0 in Central Lakes Conference play Tuesday.

Williams and Nelson each had assists to complete 4-point games.

"Sauk Rapids is a first-year team, they're struggling as we did when we first started," Warriors coach Cahil Collins said. "In that sense, it was a little bit easier task, but Jake and Joe are both doing some nice things, getting themselves in good position to finish the ball."

Brainerd, which outshot the Storm 19-8, plays its first home game at 5 p.m. Thursday against St. Cloud Apollo.

Brainerd 3 3 - 6

Sauk Rapids 0 0 - 0

First half: Brd-Jake Williams (Joe Nelson) 2:00; Brd-Nelson (Alex Ryan) 5:00; Brd-Nelson, 12:00

Second half: Brd-Nelson (Jake Williams) 45:00; Brd-Williams (Zach Hoard) 64:00; Brd-Williams (Nick Oldham) 76:00

Shots on goal: Brd 11-8-19, SR 4-4-8

Goalkeepers: Brd-Matt Sather (8 saves), SR-Chris Rothstein (13 saves)

Conference: Brd 1-1. Overall: 1-1. Next: St. Cloud Apollo vs. Brainerd at Baxter 5 p.m. Thursday.