BRANDON, S.D. – Two late goals by Brandon Valley were not enough as Watertown held on for a 5-4 victory in high school boys hockey Friday night.
The Lakers jumped to an early 3-0 lead with first-period goals from Colin Solheim (16:05), Jake Root (14:46), and Aidyn Melville (11:54). The Ice Cats’ Ryler Harms (5:50) made it 3-1 heading into the second period.
Bailey Dorneman extended the Watertown lead to 4-1 with an unassisted goal at 7:55 of the second. Maxwell Peters pulled the Ice Cats closer with a goal at 8:38 of the third to make it 4-2. Colton Kasuske then scored for Watertown on a power play at 7:18.
The Ice Cats’ Justin Pederson scored at 5:26 of the third to make it 5-3, and Max Miller added a late goal with 10 seconds remaining for the 5-4 final.
Hunter Kloos earned the win in net for the Lakers, stopping 30 of 34 shots. Cole Clites took the loss, stopping 35 of 40 shots. Assists for Watertown went to Quinten Jorgenson, Solheim, Kasuske, and Melville.
Watertown continues South Dakota Amateur Hockey Association play Jan. 24 at Brookings.
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