YOUTH HOCKEY: Pee Wees run into stiff competition in Winona

WINONA — The Worthington Pee Wee B hockey team ran into some tough competition at the “Fire on Ice Classic” last weekend at the Bud King Ice Arena in Winona.

The Trojans finished sixth out of seven teams, going 1-2 on the weekend.

In its first tournament game Saturday, Worthington lost 5-3 against the Mason City Mohawks.

Worthington started off well in the first period, outshooting the Mohawks 6-3 and gaining a 1-0 on a Karter Honius goal, with an assist awarded to Max Carlson.

But the Mohawks dominated the second period, scoring three goals on 15 shots.

Worthington fought back in the third period with goals from Carlson (assist Seth Voss) and Ryan Newman (assist Bryce Olsen), but it was not enough to overcome two additional Mason City goals.

Mason City outshot Worthington 27-18 in the game.

Goalie Carter Ponto had 22 saves in net for the Trojans.

In its second tournament game, Worthington was overwhelmed 16-0 by an excellent Lakeville South Pee Wee B1 team.

The Cougars, one of nine Pee Wee teams in the south metro Lakeville Hockey Association, brought a level of play to the game that the Trojans had not seen this season.

Despite being outplayed on the ice, the Trojans matched the Cougars’ grit and determination, exceeded them in sportsmanship and never stopped competing the entire game. Their effort was noticed by the Lakeville fans, who respectfully applauded the Trojans as they skated off the ice at the end of the game.

The Trojans managed to hold the Cougars to only a 3-0 lead in the first period, despite being outshot 19-1. The pace of play caught up to Worthington in the second and third periods and Lakeville did not let up, keeping the play in the Trojans’ end most of the game.

All of the Trojans stepped up in the defensive zone, led by goalies Sam Fellows (33 saves on 40 shots), Carter Ponto (16 saves on 25 shots), forward Gage Anderson (four shots blocked or altered), and defensemen Olsen, Voss, Parker Valen, and Lance Hibma.

Worthington had a couple of opportunities to score in the third period, but was unable to push a goal past the Lakeville goalie.

Lakeville outshot Worthington 58-3.

The Trojans returned to action Sunday, defeating the Luverne Cardinals 6-0 in the sixth-place game.

Scoring for Worthington were Anderson (assist Olsen), Anthony Fogelman (two goals, second assisted by Tom Bauman), Honius (two goals), and Valen (assist Honius).

Worthington outshot Luverne 28-11.

Ponto earned the shutout for Worthington with 11 saves in net.

The Trojans’ overall record is 10-5-2 and 4-2-2 District 4 (first place). Worthington is back in action at 1:15 p.m. Sunday in a key league game at Windom.

Tags: sports, youth, hockey, trojans