Faribault Boys Hockey Ties with Mankato West

The Faribault Falcons boys hockey team traveled to Mankato Tuesday night and came home with a 2-2 tie against the Mankato West Scarlets.

Unfortunately it was a nonconference game according to the Big Nine Conference rules for the COVID-19 season. Each team's first game is the conference contest the second is not. Faribault's defeat of Albert Lea at home last Saturday also did not give the Falcons a two point win.

Mankato West is the best team in the Big Nine according to the standings so the tie should give Faribault some confidence although they were 31 seconds away from a win when the Scarlets tied the game to send it to overtime.

Mankato West scored the first goal 2:56 into the game. Faribault tied it 8:20 of the second period on a unassisted even strength goal by sophomore Owen Nesburg (6).

The Falcons took the lead 2:45 into the final period on a even strength Grady Goodwin goal. His fifth of the year assisted by Luke Vinar (2) and Zack Slinger (3).

The Scarlets tying goal came with 31 seconds left in regulation.

Not one whistle was blown against Mankato West. Faribault had two penalties in the game and killed off both.

Shots on goal were 12-3 first period in favor of West. 10-8 second period in favor of Faribault and 3-1 in the overtime, West with the edge. Total shots on goal Faribault 23, Mankato West 30.

Sophomore Maclain Weasler had 28 saves for the Falcons and the league's best goalie statistically in goals against average senior Caleb Cross 21 saves.

Cross has 4 shutouts this season and a 1.21 GAA which ranks 6th in the state. Cross is 5th in save percentage in the state at .947.

Weasler is 14th in save percentage in the state .932 and 38th in GAA 2.25.

2020-21
Big 9 Boys Hockey Standings

Conference Overall
School Wins Losses Ties Points Wins Losses Ties

Mankato West	8	1	1	17	9	1	2
Mankato East	8	1	0	16	9	1	0
Northfield	7	2	0	14	7	3	0
Owatonna	6	1	1	13	6	3	1
Rochester Mayo	6	3	0	12	8	3	0
Faribault	4	4	0	8	5	5	1
Albert Lea	4	4	0	8	4	6	0
Rochester Century	4	6	0	8	5	6	0
Red Wing	1	6	1	3	1	8	1
Winona	1	7	1	3	2	7	1
Rochester John Marshall	1	6	0	2	1	7	0
Austin	0	9	0	0	0	11	0

*Conference champion determined by team with greatest number of points. First game of the season between two schools is considered the conference game.

Faribault hosts Winona Saturday at Noon. The Hockey Day Minnesota event will be broadcast on KDHL Radio 920 AM and 97.9 FM.

Read on to find out how to boost your immune system naturally.