(The Willmar Civic Center) 02-01-2012 -- The Willmar cardinals were just 1:33 from knocking off the Sauk Rapids Storm when things turned against them. Sauk Rapids two leading scorers rarely left the ice in the third period as the Storm staged a furious fore check and netted a pair of goals in the last minute and a half to beat the Cardinals 4-3. Luke Richardson scored at the 15:27 mark and Tyler Long at 16:36 to rally SR-R to the victory.

The Cardinals led for much of the game as they played smart tough hockey but came up just seconds short. No penalties were whisteld against the Cardinals while they scored a power play goal themselves off the stick of Trey Tollefson. that gave the Cards a 2-1 lead at the first intermission. Hunter Schneider and Cam Swenson would also score for the Cards, Swenson's tally midway through the second period gave the Cards a 3-2 lead.

With the loss the Cardinals are now 8-13 on the season and 3-9 in Central lakes Conference play. Sauk rapids is 10-9-1 overall and 6-5-1 in the loop.  The Cardinals travel to top five ranked Brainerd on Thursday night.