Cardinals drop season opener to Windom Area 5-2

The Luverne boys’ hockey team battled but could not dig themselves out from an early 3-0 deficit against Windom Area on Saturday, Jan. 16.
That early lead held for the Eagles as they defeated the Cardinals 5-2 in the season opener at Blue Mound Ice Arena.
“It was great to finally be able to play our first game of the 2021 hockey season,” Luverne head coach Phil Paquette said.
“I was very happy with our team’s drive to compete and their will to battle back from down 3-0 early in the second period. Unfortunately we weren’t able to complete the comeback.”
Windom struck first in the first period off a goal from Brady Espenson. Alex Espenson recorded the assist on the goal.
The Eagles added one more goal in the opening period off an unassisted goal from Chase Hamlett.
The Eagles opened the scoring in the second frame with a goal from Ben Purrington. Cragen Porath recorded the assist on the goal.
Sophomore Brock Behrend got the Cardinals on the board at the end of the second quarter to cut Windom’s lead to 3-1.
Behrend tallied his second goal of the game when he opened the scoring in the final quarter to trim Windom’s lead to 3-2.
Brady Espenson scored his second goal of the game for the Eagles to give Windom a 4-2 lead.
Borath wrapped up the scoring with a goal with 40 seconds left in the game to make the final score 5-2.
The Cardinals will be back on the ice on Friday, Jan. 22, when they travel to Redwood Falls to take on Redwood Valley.
“We have plenty to work on and tighten up as we look ahead to our next game against Redwood Valley,” Paquette said.
Redwood Valley dropped their season opener to Minnesota River 7-4.
Luverne swept Redwood Valley last season, winning the first matchup 5-2 and then completing the season sweep with a 7-1 victory.