Falcon Boys Hockey Wins Playoff Opener

The Faribault Falcons did just enough to get by their first-round Section 1 Class A opponent, the Austin Packers, on Tuesday night. Faribault won 2-1 at the Faribault Ice Arena and will be home again Thursday and on Power 96 Radio.

After a scoreless first period where each team collected just eight shots each, Faribault got on the board first 3:50 into the second period with an even strength goal by Austin Lewis, assisted by Christian Von Ruden. The Packers answered just a couple of minutes later and it was tied at 1 heading into the final period.

Austin Lewis notched the game-winner at 14:12 on a power play assisted by Tyler Becker and Von Ruden. The Falcons outshot Austin 24-23.

Adam Johannsen was in net for the Faribault win and tallied 22 saves. Faribault plays Lesueur-Henderson/St. Peter/Tri-City United on Thursday. They had a 5-3 win over Winona; No. 8-seed Rochester Lourdes beat Mankato East 3-2 and plays top-seeded New Prague on Thursday night. No. 7-seed Albert Lea bested Lacrescent 7-1 and plays at second-seed Mankato West; No. 3-seed Northfield will face No. 6-seed Red Wing, a 5-4 victor over Waseca. The semi-finals are Saturday at the Rochester Recreation Center. If Faribault advances, they'll play the 5:30 p.m. game.