The Luverne Cardinals completed regular season play last Friday night with a trip to Le Sueur to take on the Minnesota River Bulldogs. Luverne entered the game having secured the Big South Conference title as well as earning the Section 3A number one seed for the upcoming Section Tournament. The host Bulldogs, however, were locked in a tie for second place in the Big South Conference with Marshall. The Bulldogs also did not know their seeding position for the upcoming section tournament. While the Bulldogs are members of the Big South Conference, come playoffs they compete in Section 1A. That section had not yet had their seeding meeting to determine playoff matchups.
With post season questions still remaining the Bulldogs had plenty of inspiration for Fridays game. Luverne on the other hand, was short two players and had their post season path already determined. The first period failed to decide much. The Cardinals were whistled for two minor penalties, while Minnesota River skated off one minor penalty of their own. Both teams put 7 shots on goal and when the horn sounded to end the period scoreboard read 0 to 0.
The Bulldogs ingnited the near capactity home fans by scoring the first goal of the game just 4 minutes into the second period. The excitement of a lead was short lived as just two minutes and 20 seconds later Colby Crabtree evened the score. From there it was scoreless until the Cards gained the lead with Kaysn Kruse scoring at the 14:29 mark. The Cardinals led on the scoreboard 2 to 1 when the second period ended, as well as outshooting Minnesota River 23 to 16.
Minnesota River again sparked the home crowd, tying the score at 2 just 3:47 into the final 17 minutes. The Cardinals battled to keep the score even, but being down 2 players, fatigue could be noticed in their play. The Bulldogs kept the fans on their feet and were able to take the lead at the 10:57 mark. Luverne pulled their goalie with a little over a minute left for an extra attacker. Unfortunately they were unable to get one more by the Bulldog netminder. When the final buzzer sounded Minnesota River had the victory and possibly the biggest win in program history 3 to 2. Final shots showed the Cardinals with 46 and Minnesota River 26.
