Ahlschlager, Bluejays dominate RW Valley

An already fantastic season for senior forward Kyle Ahlschlager received the icing on the cake when the he hit the century mark in a Bluejay boys’ hockey win over Redwood Valley Tuesday, Jan. 24. Ahlschlager became the first ever Waseca Bluejay hockey player (boy or girl) to reach the hundred-goal mark. 

But there were other reasons to celebrate. The game at home against the Cardinals could not have gone much better for the Jays. A little over a minute into the game, Ahlschlager got an unassisted goal. He earned his second goal of the night 10 minutes later.

It also was a great night for fellow senior Griffin Krautkremer. In the first minute of the second period, he had an even strength goal with sophomore Hunter Anderson scoring 25 seconds later. After Anderson scored another goal 6:46 into the period, Krautkremer supplied two more for a hat trick.

Ahlschlager completed his hat trick 5:40 into the final period.

Waseca outshot Redwood Valley 52-11, with senior goaltender Eli Wetzel denying all of the Cardinals’ shots.

 

Marshall 7, Waseca 2

It was a much tougher day for the Bluejays when they traveled to Marshall Friday, Jan. 27.

Things looked promising when Ahlschlager scored the first goal of the game 6:12 into the first period. When there was only a few minutes left, Marshall replied with back-to-back shots in the net within a minute of each other, making it 2-1 after the first.

Marshall found more success on offense, scoring three goals within six minutes of the second period. Although Charles Cariveau scored a goal to give the Bluejays a chance, Marshall’s Owen Renslow called it a night with a goal 10:24 into the second and 3:22 into the third.

Waseca had far less chances at the net, getting outshot 40-14. 

Wetzel was pulled after allowing six goals. He faced 29 shots, stopping 23 for a .793 save percentage. Carter Martens, who took Wetzel’s place stopped 10 of 11 shots for a .909 save percentage, which was better than Marshall goalie Gavin Welsh’s percentage of .857.

With the 1-1 week against conference opponents, Waseca is 9-10 overall (7-5 in-conference) and currently third place in the Big South behind Luverne and New Ulm. The Bluejays  hosted Minnesota River Tuesday, Jan. 31 and will travel to Fairmont the following Thursday.