ROSEAU-It's hard to defeat a team three times in one season.
Roseau swept Brainerd during the regular season, but the third-seeded Warriors gained revenge when it mattered most by eliminating the No. 2 Rams 4-2 in the Section 8-2A semifinals Saturday, Feb. 23.
It will be the fourth trip to a section final for the Warrior boys, who lost title games to Roseau 3-2 in double overtime in 1991 and twice to Moorhead by scores of 3-1 in 2012 and 2-0 in 2013.
Jumping off to a quick 2-0 lead Saturday was Brainerd's key to beating Roseau, which defeated the visiting Warriors 3-0 Jan. 4, and earned a close 4-3 win Feb. 2, in Brainerd.
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Brady Anderson, assisted by Christian Kadolph, opened the scoring for the Warriors just 1:04 into the game. Wyatt Andres extended the lead to two goals at 6:00 with a tally assisted by Anthony Menghini.
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Warriors 4, Roseau 2
- Key: Brainerd builds early lead to surprise No. 2 Rams
- Overall: Warriors 18-9; Roseau 19-5-2
- Next: Brainerd vs. Moorhead in Section 8-2A final, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Sanford Center in Bemidji
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"In the playoffs, it makes the game easier when you score first," said Brainerd coach Dave Aus. "Roseau had outscored teams something like 25-1 in the first period. Then once they get the lead, they try to shut out down. So I would say it was imperative that we scored first.
"Roseau had a goal waived off and it was a good call by the officials. And then we took a 2-0 lead, and I felt pretty good."
The Rams cut the deficit in half when Gavin Gunderson scored at 15:10 of the opening period. But Brainerd answered just 47 seconds later when Mason Kruse scored, assisted by Riley Andres.
"Mason's goal was a key play in the game," Aus said. "In the second period, we only had a few shots, but I still think we dominated play."
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The second period was scoreless, but the Warriors built the lead to 4-1 with a power-play goal by Joe Klang, assisted by Anderson, at 3:27 of the third period.
Brainerd maintained a comfortable lead, although Roseau didn't quit as Tal Halliday scored with 29 seconds remaining to make the final 4-2.
Roseau 1 0 1-2
Brainerd 3 0 1-4
First period: Brd-Brady Anderson (Christian Kadolph) 1:04; Brd-Wyatt Andres (Anthony Menghini) 6:00; Ros-Gavin Gunderson (Aaron Huglen, Paul Huglen) 15:10; Brd-Mason Kruse (Riley Andres) 15:57
Second period: No scoring
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Third period: Brd-Joe Klang (Anderson) (ppg) 3:27; Ros-Tal Halliday (Aaron Huglen) (ppg) 16:31
Shots on goal: Brd 21, Ros 26
Goalies: Brd-Luke Saiko (24 saves); Ros-Oliver Lee (17 saves)
