Kuhl, Anderson power Fairmont Area boys’ hockey victory
FAIRMONT — Carson Kuhl produced two goals and Eli Anderson generated one goal and distributed two assists to help guide Fairmont Area to a 5-2 victory over the LaCrescent-Hokah Lancers during the Cardinals’ regular-season hockey finale on Saturday.
Trailing 2-1 after one completed period, the Cardinals used a 31-17 shots-on-goal edge to net two goals each in the second and third frames to seal the winning effort.
Alec Reutzel converted a double-assist from Alexander Moeller and Kaiden Musser into the Cardinals’ game-tying goal at 2-2 just 2:43 into the second period.
Kuhl, who cashed in an Anderson assist for the game’s initial goal 4:05 into the first period, netted his second goal of the afternoon as he combined with Anderson and Hudson Artz on a short-handed goal 9:57 into the second frame for a 3-2 Fairmont Area lead.
Anderson delivered an unassisted insurance goal 3:49 into the third period for the Cardinals, while Carter Olson found the webbing of an empty net with only 1 second remaining in regulation to close out the scoring.
Goaltender Tyson Geerdes turned away 24 Lancer shots to earn the victory for Fairmont Area.
Ryan Booth made a game-best 36 saves for the Lancers between the pipes.
Cooper Carlson scored the Lancers’ first goal in the first period off an assist from Owen Davison. Davison netted an unassisted goal only 48 seconds later to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
Fairmont Area (5-19) awaits the results of an upcoming Section 3A seeding meeting for its first-round postseason opponent and the location of its opening playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
LaCrescent-Hokah 2-0-0–2
Fairmont Area 1-2-2–5
Scoring Plays
1st Period
FA–Carson Kuhl (Eli Anderson), 4:05.
LH–Cooper Carlson (Owen Davison), 9:04.
LH–Owen Davison (unassisted), 9:52.
2nd Period
FA–Alec Reutzel (Alexander Moeller, Kaiden Musser), 2:43.
FA–Carson Kuhl (Eli Anderson, Hudson Artz), SH, 9:57.
3rd Period
FA–Eli Anderson (unassisted), 3:49.
FA–Carter Olson (unassisted), SH & EN, 16:59.
Shots on goal: Fairmont Area 10-10-21–41; LaCrescent-Hokah 9-13-4–26.
Saves: Tyson Geerdes (FA) 24; Ryan Booth (LH) 36.