By Mark Harder
The Luverne Boys High School Hockey team earned 4 points in the Big South Conference this past week with wins over Worthington and New Ulm.
The Cardinals travelled to Worthington last Tuesday for a match up with the 2 and 20 Trojans. Declan Beers got the Cards on the scoreboard at the 5:42 mark of the first period. Assist on the goal was credited to Nick Harder. From there the Cardinals kept rolling for the remainder of the period putting up 5 more goals. Declan Beers tallied again followed by markers from Colby Crabtree, Kasyn Kruse and Mark Sterrett. Declan Beers closed out the scoring and completing his hat trick for the final goal of the period.
The Trojans were able to get on the board in the second period, scoring the first goal of the middle frame at the 3:32 mark. From there Luverne took over scoring two more goals. Declan Beers picked up his fourth goal of the game and was followed up by Kasyn Kruse netting his second of the contest. With two periods in the books the Cardinals were sitting on an 8 to 1 lead.
The final period featured only one goal. The Card’s Kasyn Kruse completed his hat trick by finding the back of the net at the 10:03 mark of the period. With the victory the Cardinals moved to 15 and 5 on the season and remained undefeated in the Big South Conference at 12 and 0. They would now sets their sites on their upcoming matchup with the New Ulm Eagles.
Cardinals contain Eagles to remain perfect in Conference
Last Thursday’s matchup with New Ulm was expected to be a nice test for the Luverne Cardinals hockey team. The Cards came out flying on Senior recognition night and never allowed the Eagles to take flight.
Nick Harder got the Cards on the board quickly with his blast from the blue line at the just 40 seconds into the game. Assists on Harder’s goal went to Trey Roberts and Coy Gonnerman. Gage Nath kept the large crowd on their feet as he buried his first of the game just 13 seconds after Harder, scoring at the 53 second mark. Trey Roberts picked up his second assist of the game on Nath’s tally. Colby Crabtree ignited the crowd again at the 3:53 mark putting the Cards up 3 to 0. Tyler Roberts and Mason Steensma received assists on the Crabtree goal. Declan Beers moved the lead to 4 at the 10:13 mark of the period with an unassisted goal.
Leading 4 to 0 after the first period, the Cards seemed to take their foot off the gas in the second. The period was back and forth with neither team able to put anything up on the scoreboard. So, just like the first, the score read 4 to 0 Cardinals heading to the third and final 17 minutes.
Luverne came out flying and increased the lead to 5 to 0 just 20 seconds into the third period. Declan Beers beat the Eagles goal-tender for his second of the contest. From there the Cards skated hard but were unable to put up any more goals. With the win the Cardinals moved to 16 and 5 overall and 13 and 0 in the Big South Conference.
