Dodge County 1, Lourdes 0
ROCHESTER — The Dodge County boys hockey team has plenty of guys who can score.
Wes Wegner is forcing hockey watchers in southern Minnesota to take notice of the Wildcats’ defense now, too.
The junior goalie has gotten better and better as the season has gone along, and he is playing his best when it matters most.
Wegner stopped all 22 shots he faced Thursday at Graham Arena 1, recording his second shutout of the season as Dodge County earned a huge victory against Section 1, Class 1A rival Rochester Lourdes, 1-0.
The win is a big one for the Wildcats, as they are likely battling with Lourdes for the No. 3 seed in the upcoming section playoffs. Lourdes beat Dodge County in their first meeting this season — a 5-1 victory for the Eagles on Jan. 10 in Kasson.
But the Wildcats turned the tables this time, thanks to Wegner and an unassisted goal by standout sophomore forward Camryn Koch, his 15th of the season. It came 7:43 into the second period and held up as the only goal in the game.
Lourdes senior goalie Anton Ackley was equally tough at the other end of the ice. He stopped 22 shots and kept the Eagles in it to the final buzzer.
This night belonged to Wegner, though. The junior has found a comfort zone in the second half of this season. He has allowed a total of five goals in the past five games — all Wildcats victories — and has surrendered more than three goals in a game just one time since Dec. 12. That was the 5-1 loss to Lourdes nearly a month ago.
Lourdes is now 14-5-2 overall and will host Breck (15-6-1) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Graham Arena.
Dodge County improves to 14-6-1 and hosts Tri-Metro Conference opponent Minneapolis at 4 p.m. Saturday at Dodge County Ice Arena in Kasson.
DODGE COUNTY 1, LOURDES 0
Dodge County 0-1-0 — 1
Lourdes 0-0-0 — 0
Dodge County: Camryn Koch 1 goal. Goalie: Wes Wegner 22 saves (22 shots).
Lourdes: Goalie: Anton Ackley 22 saves (23 shots).
La CRESCENT-HOKAH 9, WEST SALEM 2
West Salem 1-0-1 — 2
La Crescent-Hokah 3-4-2 — 9
West Salem (Wis.): Kayden Tauscher 1 goal; Cade Donahue 1 assist; Coen Knutson 1 goal; Joey Hermanson 1 assist. Goalie: Colin Devine 33 saves (42 shots).
La Crescent-Hokah: Turner Boettcher 1 assist; Cooper Johnston 1 goal, 2 assists; Kole Trapp 2 assists; Asher Voves 1 goal, 3 assists; Camden Alfson 1 goal; Ben Schoepel 2 goals; Cooper Hill 4 goals, 1 assist; Ceegan Hollon 1 assist; Archer Semling 1 assist. Goalie: Charlie Wieser (34:00) 18 saves-19 shots; Nadia Woodard (17:00) 15 saves-16 shots.
• • •
ALBERT LEA 9, WINONA 0
Albert Lea 3-5-1 — 9
Winona 0-0-0 — 0
Albert Lea: Nate Herr 2 assists; Fletcher Pirsig 1 goal, 1 assist; Casey Ulve 2 goals, 1 assist; Drake Sternhagen 2 goals, 2 assists; Brock Scott 1 goal; Zaden Brua 1 goal, 2 assists; Ethan Stieler 1 goal, 2 assists. Goalie: Owen Hansen 15 saves (15 shots).
Winona: Goalies: Seth Watkins (28:59) 13 saves-18 shots; Cayden Lingen (22:01), saves not available.
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