Weasler’s Hat Trick Lifts Faribault to Overtime Win

Sophomore Leighton Weasler finished off a hat trick with a game-winning, overtime goal as Faribault beat Winona 4-3 Monday afternoon in a makeup game at the Faribault Ice Arena. Weasler found the back of the net through a crowd of players gathered around the Winhawks goalie. Winona rallied with a pair of goals late in the third period to force overtime.

Winona's late third period momentum carried over into the opening seconds of the overtime session with a sharp shot from the left boards five seconds into overtime. Falcons' goaltender Spencer Ell gloved the shot. It was the only one Winona got in overtime. Noah Murphy assisted on the game winner at 3:41 of overtime as Faribault earned the season sweep of Winona.

Weasler opened the scoring at 3:02 of the first period with a power play goal. Jordan Nawrocki and Zach Siegert provided the assists. FHS has struggled on the power play this season. Coach Dean Weasler said before the game that the unit worked better in their tie against John Marshall Saturday. Even though they didn't score that day, he liked the improved play with the man-advantage.

Braden Schoeder scored at 6:52 of the first off a feed from Dylan O'Neil for a 2-0 lead. Winona's Evan Carney netted a goal 12:19 into the second period. Weasler answered for the Falcons 30 seconds later on a rebound of O'Neil's shot for a 3-1 lead after two periods.

Winona's rally included a short-handed breakaway goal by Matt Thesing and an unassisted marker from Tyler Fegre. Faribault out shot Winona 30-17. The Falcons (8-9-2, 4-7-2 Big Nine) hosts Rochester Century Tuesday at 7:30PM. The Faribault girls host Northfield in a 5:30PM game also at the Faribault Ice Arena.