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Munoz powers Blazers by Cardinals in hockey clash

NO ACCESS — Fairmont Area defender Macy Militello challenges a shot by Visitation’s Cecilia Wheaton during non-league hockey action Tuesday night at Martin County Arena in Fairmont. Cardinals netminder Hadley Artz looks on. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — Visitation forward Gracia Munoz spoiled Fairmont Area’s final game of the regular prep hockey season, scoring four goals and an assist to guide the visiting Blazers to a 6-0 nonconference victory over the hometown Cardinals on Tuesday night at Martin County Arena in Fairmont.

Despite the loss, the Cardinals are still set to head into their postseason matchup on the road against the Windom Area Eagles on Thursday night. The team added Tuesday night’s game as a late addition to the regular-season schedule specifically to prepare for the upcoming playoffs.

“This was a good game for us to get on the schedule right before the playoffs,” Fairmont Area head coach Eric Householder said. “They played hard and physical, that’s what we asked them to do. If we take that into Thursday against Windom and we capitalize on our offensive opportunities, there’s no doubt we’ll come home with the win.”

While the Blazers were held to one goal in the first period, they would take control in the second with a pair of tallies less than three minutes into the period. Visitation kept the momentum going into the final frame to push its lead out of reach, doubling their goal output and providing Munoz with her 10th hat trick of the season.

Blazers defender Abigail Hemauer also earned a multi-point performance, picking up two goals and two assists in the victory, while fellow defender Daniela Krech captured a pair of assists as well.

“We weren’t on the puck when we were supposed to be, we just weren’t clicking at all,” Householder said. “We had some shots and that’s what we needed, but we weren’t capitalizing on our offensive possessions.”

Blazers goaltender Cady Pagel earned her third shutout of the season with 23 saves on 23 chances in the win, while Cardinals goaltender Hadley Artz made 29 saves on 35 shots.

The No. 5-seeded Cardinals (7-13-2) travel to Windom Area on Thursday night for a 7 p.m. Section 3A quarterfinal playoff game against the No. 4-seeded Eagles, while the Blazers (12-12) travel to Chisago Lakes for a nonconference tilt on Saturday.

Visitation 1-2-3–6

Fairmont 0-0-0–0

Scoring Plays

1st Period

VIS–Gracia Munoz (unassisted), 8:57.

2nd Period

VIS–Gracia Munoz (Abigail Hemauer, Hannah Allen), 0:08.

VIS–Abigail Hemauer (Daniela Krech), 2:33.

3rd Period

VIS–Gracia Munoz (Daniela Krech), 4:05.

VIS–Abigail Hemauer (Gracia Munoz), 11:34.

VIS–Gracia Munoz (Kate Killian, Abigail Hemauer), 16:40.

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