The Mankato West Scarlets came into Thursday night's game with Faribault unbeaten in Big Nine Conference play, but went home with their first conference loss of the season.  Faribault got the game winner with just over two minutes to go in regulation on Austin Lewis's second goal of the night after a terrific assist from Tyler Becker and a nice pass to Becker from Koy Payne. Mankato West Senior Goalie Conor Wollenzien was keeping tabs on Becker coming down the slot when he made the quick pass to Lewis and he quickly slammed it into the net.  The goal came just a couple minutes after Mankato West looked like they were going to get the go ahead goal and Falcon Junior Defenseman Alex Dunn reached behind Goalie Adam Johnannsen after the puck got past him and just before it crossed the line put it on his stick and sent it out of there.  Johannsen had 22 saves on the night.  Mankato West led 2-1 after the first period with both goals coming in the slot.  Christian Von Ruden got another highlight reel goal when he and linemates Lewis and  Becker hustled the puck out of their zone and created a breakaway with Von Ruden's finish totally fooling the Goalie.  He was flying toward the net and looked like he was going to shoot straight on, then quickly moved the puck a little to the left and backhanded it into the net. Becker and Lewis each tallied assists on that goal.  Faribault's second goal was the only goal of the second period.  A power play goal scored by Lewis again assisted by Becker.  Lewis now has 10 goals on the season and 7 assists, Von Ruden's goal was his 5th and Becker had three assists and now has 12 on the year.  Mankato West dominated the first period in terms of puck control and outshot Faribault 11-4.  Faribault turned the tables on them with 15 second period shots to the Scarlets 5 and both teams shot 8 on goal in the third period.  Faribault's total shots on goal was 27 and Mankato West 24.  Faribault had a number of chances to score in the second when West was whistled for 5 penalties and twice Faribault had a two man advantage but couldn't get the puck in the net.  The Lewis Power play goal in the second came in the final minute of the period.  The Faribault State Farm Insurance players of the game were Seniors Lewis and  Becker with three points each and Juniors Goalie Johannsen and Alex Dunn.  The Falcons had just two penalties in the game.  Faribault will participate in a holiday tournament in Roseau the 29th through the 31st.  Other teams participating include Shakopee, Princeton, Lake of the Woods, Park Rapids and Devils Lake and Minot, North Dakota. The Falcons are 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the Big Nine heading into the holiday break and Mankato West  falls to 4-1-1 in the league and 4-3-1 overall.

                                      Falcons Win !

 

 

 

 

 

 

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