MARSHALL -- Dawson Duangpai’s goal with 7:33 remaining in the second overtime period gave Worthington a 5-4 victory over host Marshall Tuesday night in the Section 3A boys high school hockey opener.
The Trojans, seeded ninth in the tournament to the Tigers’ eighth, almost won the game in regulation. But the Tigers pulled their goalie late in the third period and scored with under a minute remaining, knotting the game at 4-4.
Despite that disappointment, the Trojans were ready for action in overtime.
“Credit to the guys, they just battled their butts off,” said head coach Tyler Nienkerk. “To us, it was just a tie game. We’ll just go get another one. Nobody was down, everybody was confident. We believed we could get one in overtime.”
The win places WHS in the sectional quarterfinals against top-seeded Hutchinson, at Hutchinson, Thursday at 7 p.m.
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On Tuesday, Worthington scored the only goal of the first period on a shot from Alec Langerud, and Andrew Benson was credited with the assist.
Both teams scored three times in the second period. Worthington’s goals were by Blake Langerud on a power play (Benson assist), Ahrenstorff (Konner Honius assist), and Langerud (Nick Schneider and Logan Powers assists).
Duangpai, a freshman forward, ended the game with a shot from the top of the circle. It made its way through traffic and into the net.
WHS goalkeeper Preston Thavixay played a strong game, making 44 saves.
Nienkerk said that no matter what happens against Hutchinson, the Trojans will give it their all. Win or lose, no one can take away Tuesday night’s joy.
“It feels good to be in Marshall’s building and send them home,” said the coach.
Worthington 1 3 0 1 -- 5
Marshall 0 3 1 0 -- 4
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