HUTCHINSON -- The Worthington High School boys hockey team performed marvelously on Tuesday when they hopped into the frying pan. But things didn’t go so well on Thursday when they hopped into the fire.
The Trojans, seeded ninth in the Section 3A tournament, survived a late third period goal to defeat eighth-seeded Marshall in overtime in their first-round game on Tuesday. But with that win, they faced a much bigger challenge on Thursday when they traveled to Hutchinson to take on the top-seeded Tigers.
In that one, Hutchinson scored three first period goals, two second period goals, and three more in the third for good measure en route to an 8-1 win.
“Those guys are big and fast and physical. A little too much for us,” said WHS head coach Tyler Nienkerk.
For the game, Hutch (11-6-2) out-shot Worthington 52-10. Hutchinson’s K.K. Starrett had the hat trick, all of his goals coming in the first period.
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With 9:37 gone in the third period, Worthington junior forward Blake Luinenburg scored to break up the shutout. Blake Ahrenstorff and Alec Langerud were credited with assists.
Despite the loss, Nienkerk said the Worthington boys accomplished their goal, which was to play hard no matter what.
“They wanted to end in some positivity. They gave it their all,” he said.
Nienkerk said that the program might be able to build on the Marshall victory. Though the players were generally disappointed with their 4-16 record this season, they were involved in a lot of close games. A strong junior group will return next year and lead the team, Nienkerk said.
In other section games Thursday, Willmar defeated Windom Area 3-0, New Ulm topped Redwood Valley 7-1, and Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato beat Luverne 8-0.
Worthington 0 0 1 -- 1
Hutchinson 3 2 3 -- 8
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