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Tharaldson scores twice as West takes Red Flint title

By Michael Trzinski, 11/29/14, 3:45PM CST

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Sophomore defenseman Kellen Tharaldson scored twice as the Wausau West Warriors defeated Eau Claire Memorial 4-1 in the Red Flint Rock and Stone Meltdown championship game Saturday afternoon at Eau Claire Hobbs Ice Arena.

Adam Parsells started the scoring for West when his bullet from the left point flew over the glove of Old Abe goalie Connor Urdahl to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead just 3:21 in, with an assist to Nick Techel.

Tharaldson scored a fluke goal with just under four minutes left to give West a 2-0 lead.

His blast from the blue line flew over the net, hit the glass, and bounced back over the net and off Urdahl's back, ending up in the net for the two-goal lead. 

The lead got extended to 3-0 a couple minutes into the second period with a Tharaldson rush, deke, and score from in close. Friday night hero Alex Gessler earned a helper on the play.

Austin Phippen breathed a little life into the Old Abe team and faithful when he tipped a point shot by Bret Schwengler past West goalie Paul Weise at the 5:35 mark to cut the lead to 3-1.

Midway through the period, West's Cale Bowman tried to score on a breakaway, only to be denied by Urdahl's quick reactions.

Unfortunately for ECM, West got a goal inside of two minutes (1:43 left) by Andrew Lee on a semi-bustout to make it 4-1. Gessler and Bowman were marked down for assists on the scoring play.

Freshman Trevor Hudecek came in to play the final period in goal for Eau Claire Memorial.

Each team had a power play chance in the final period but neither squad could take advantage of the man-advantage.

Weise stopped 19 shots for West in the victory, while Urdahl (19) and Hudacek (9) combined for 28 saves for ECM.

AFTER THE GAME WITH WEST COACH BRIAN BRANDT, JR.

  • To see (West) come out and perform well against two very good opponents, that means a lot to them and certainly to our coaching staff.
  • I think you're going to see a little difference in our balanced attack this year. That's where our experience is. That's where our strength is so far this year (On the fact that three goals were scored by defensemen).
  • The nice thing is that Pete Susens has been a mentor for me my whole life: as a player, and in college, and to study under him for eight years you learn the tricks of the trade.
  • It feels good to come over here and do well in the tournament, but it is just two wins in November. It's a good start.