ST. PAUL — The St. Paul Johnson Governors edged the Fairmont Area Cardinals boys hockey 5-3 Thursday night at Como Arena in St. Paul.

The Governors came out swinging with a two-goal first period to set the tone for the game.

Jozef Cunningham got the scoring started for the Governors off an assist from Alex Themmes four minutes into the opening period. Eight minutes later, Joaquin Ochoki scored another goal for the Governors off a feed from Elijah Towle.

The Cardinals would strike back however. Two minutes into the second period, Eric Determan scored a goal off an assist from Barret Scholl to cut the Governors’ lead in half.

It was the Governors retaliating first with Matthew Corniea unassisted goal.

Nine minutes into the second, Gavin Kester scored a power-play goal for the Cardinals off an assist from Jace Teveldal to cut the lead to 3-2.

Joaquin Ochoki struck again unassisted before Matthew Corneia joined the party notching his second goal six minutes later off an assist from Alex Themmes.

The Cardinals attempted a comeback with a Connor Gronewald goal off an assist from Luke Kester with less than three minutes remaining.

Goalie Brandon Hector finished with 33 saves for Fairmont Area, while the Governors’ Justin Kasper ended with 37 saves and the win.

The Cardinals (1-9) return to action at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 27 against the Baldwin-Woodville Hawks at the Red Wing Invite.

Girls Hockey

Windom Area 4, Fairmont Area 1 — Ella Dockter collected one goal and one assist to guide the Eagles to a three-goal Big South Conference win over the Cardinals on Thursday night in Windom.

Dockter opened the scoring off an assist from Marenna Bang 14 minutes into the opening period before teammate Marissa Becker scored off a feed from Dockter to extend their lead to two goals.

Just 13 seconds later however, the Cardinals struck back with their lone goal. Maia Goerndt found the back of the net off an assist from Karissa Newville to get the Cardinals on the board.

Three minutes into the final period, Madyson Fredin found space and scored an unassisted goal for the Eagles. Then, four minutes later it was Reagan Haugen playing copycat with a solo goal of her own.

Windom Area climbed to 5-8 overall and will look to continue its success at 2 p.m. Dec. 27 against Prairie Centre on the road.

Fairmont Area (2-10) will be looking to get back in the win column at 7 p.m. Jan. 2 against Luverne at Martin County Arena.