NUHS to go up

against nemesis

Lourdes in final

By ANDY ROGERS

Journal Sports Editor

ST. PETER -- Chris Reinarts scored two goals as the Eagle defense down the Albert Lea Tigers 4-2 and advanced to the Section 1A finals Thursday.

"It was a hard a fought game," Eagle coach Tom Macho said. "They're physical. They beat us up. And right at the end we really had a couple guys clobbered. But we put up enough points on the board to win the game."

Reinarts' two goals in the final period sealed the victory over the Tigers, who came with a late run of its own in the third.

"Reinarts is a fun player to watch," Macho said. "He moves the puck around, he's a dangler and he's a scorer -- I can't teach that."

The Eagles' defense came up big in the game.

"We played pretty solid," Macho said. "(The Eagles) didn't give them that second shot, and that's what we were concerned with."

New Ulm got on the board first when the Albert Lea's goalie Matt Tubbs couldn't get possession of the puck. Brett Burgau took the third rebound in for the goal two minutes into the first period to go up 1-0.

At the 3:39 into the second period, it looked like New Ulm was going to score, but they were in the crease and the goal was called off.

New Ulm started the third period with an opportunity to pull ahead with a power play. But, Albert Lea's Matt Bracker evened the score 48 seconds in.

"We coughed one up there," Macho said. "Those are the hazards of the game."

Shortly after, New Ulm took advantage of the power play. Adam Macho passed to Jay Geisthardt, who scored as the Eagles regained the lead 2-1.

New Ulm got some insurance when Scott Stueber and Kyle Marti assisted Reinarts for his first goal of the third period.

With 5:27 to play, Albert Lea's Wade Westland got the credit for the Tigers' goal to come within one goal.

But Reinarts sealed the victory with 1:46 left.

Albert Lea pulled its goalie, but couldn't come back.

New Ulm will meet top-ranked Rochester Lourdes 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter for the final. The Eagles are 0-2 versus Lourdes this year.

"I'm hoping the third time's the charm," Macho said. "Three time in a year a team can't beat you. We really have to be at the top of our game. But it's the state tournament so our kids will be ready."