EYE ON THE PRIZE — Fairmont Area’s Jace Teveldal (right) tracks down the loose puck as Cardinal teammates Connor Gronewald (14) and goaltender Carson Johnson look on during Big South Conference hockey action at Martin County Arena in Fairmont. Luverne defeated Fairmont Area, 11-3, during a game shortened due to injuries to both of Fairmont Area goaltenders. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — The Fairmont Area Cardinals boys hockey squad lost its final regular-season game to the Luverne Cardinals 11-3 in a shortened Big South Conference game Monday night at Martin County Arena.

In a dramatic turn of events, Fairmont Area had to turn to a surprise goalkeeper after both of its own tenders — starter Carson Johnson and backup Brandon Hector — went down with injuries in the first two periods.

With Johnson already out due to an injury suffered in the first period, Hector exited the ice in the second frame with an apparent collarbone injury forcing Luverne backup keeper Xander Remme to switch sides.

Remme did a great job in his short stint — the final 5:17 of the middle period — between the pipes, saving 7 of 8 shots faced.

Fairmont Area got the game started with the first goal of the night when junior Eric Determan received a feed from senior Jace Prindle with 15:38 remaining in the opening period.

Luverne responded quickly to even the score at 1-1 just a minute later when senior Owen Sudenga scored off an assist from senior defender Henry Hartquist.

Luverne didn’t turn back the rest of the way.

Six minutes later, Sudenga found a streaking Benjamin Hartquist to give Luverne the early 2-1 lead.

Following a minor penalty against Fairmont Area, Luverne senior forward Elliot Domagala scored off a feed from Maddux Domagala to push the lead to 3-1 during a power play.

Thirty seconds later, sophomore Blake Sauer got involved for Luverne scoring off a find from Marcus Vortherms.

With 5:49 remaining in the first period, Blaik Bork scored off an assist by Henry Hartquist to push the advantage to 5-1.

With 4:04 remaining in the first, Sudenga scored his second goal of the night off an assist from fellow senior Patrick Kroski while they were short-handed to make the score 6-1.

Three minutes later, Sudenga scored again during a power play off a feed from Elliot Domagala to net his hat trick and push the advantage to 7-1.

Just nine seconds after, Sudenga struck once more for his fourth goal of the night off another assist from Elliot Domagala to make the score 8-1 at the end of the first period.

With 12:15 remaining in the second period, Luverne’s Maddux Domagala struck with a nice shot off an assist from Kroski during a power play.

Freshman forward Carter Como provided an encore with a goal off an assist from Maddux Domagala with 10 minutes remaining in the period for a 10-1 Luverne lead.

Fairmont Area came to life when senior Luke Kester converted during a power play. He received a nice pass from sophomore Gavin Kester to cut the score to 10-2.

A minute later, senior forward Tyson Pankow found the back of the net off an assist from Determan to make the score 10-3.

Luverne Junior Levi Gonnerman snuck one by Remme off a feed from junior Alexander Schlosser to put the game away, 11-3.

Due to the goalie injuries, the game was ended after the second period.

Fairmont Area (2-23) will await its upcoming seeding for the Section 3A Meet.

Luverne      8-3-x–11

Fairmont    1-2-x– 3

Scoring Plays

1st Period

FA–Eric Determan (Jace Prindle), 15:38.

LU–Owen Sudenga (Henry Hartquist), 14:18.

LU–Benjamin Hartquist (Owen Sudenga), 8:04.

LU–Elliot Domagala (Maddux Domagala), PP., 7:08.

LU–Blake Sauer (Marcus Vortherms), 6:32.

LU–Blaik Bork (Henry Hartquist), 5:49.

LU–Owen Sudenga (Patrick Kroski), SH., 4:04.

LU–Owen Sudenga (Elliot Domagala), PP. 0:44.

LU–Owen Sudenga (Elliot Domagala), 0:35.

2nd Period

LU–Maddux Domagala (Patrick Kroski), PP., 12:15.

LU–Carter Como (Maddux Domagala), 10:00.

FA–Luke Kester (Gavin Kester), PP., 8:24.

FA–Tyson Pankow (Eric Determan), 7:12.

LU–Levi Gonnerman (Alexander Schlosser), 1:42.

No 3rd Period

Shots–Luverne 30; Fairmont Area 10.

Saves–Carson Johnson (FA) 14, Brandon Hector (FA) 5, Xander Remme (FA) 7; Gavin Hoven (LU) 7.