Mankato West Secures Hard-Fought 3-1 Victory Over New Ulm in Section 3A Playoffs

Mankato West advanced in the Section 3A playoffs with a 3-1 victory over New Ulm, powered by a two-goal performance from Jaeger Zimmerman and a strong defensive effort led by goaltender Mason Schreiber. Despite New Ulm’s late push in the third period, Mankato West controlled the game with a steady offensive attack and lockdown defense.

First Period: Defensive Battle

Neither team was able to generate much offense in the opening period, as both defensive units held firm.
Mankato West outshot New Ulm 8-6, but both goalies stood tall, keeping the game scoreless heading into the second period.

Second Period: Mankato West Breaks Through

At 8:26, Jaeger Zimmerman opened the scoring for Mankato West, finishing a setup from Keaton Dorzek to give the Scarlets a 1-0 lead.
Just 37 seconds later (9:03), Sean King doubled the lead, scoring off assists from Brodie Cox and Jaden Reddy, putting New Ulm in a 2-0 hole heading into the final period.

Third Period: New Ulm Rallies but Falls Short

Just 38 seconds into the third, Brody Nordby got New Ulm on the board, beating Schreiber off a feed from Ian Brudelie, cutting the lead to 2-1.
New Ulm continued to push, but Mankato West’s defense held strong, and Schreiber made key saves to preserve the lead.
At 9:31, Zimmerman struck again, scoring his second goal of the night off assists from Grady Hatlestad and Grady Schmidt, restoring a two-goal cushion at 3-1.
The game ended with a flurry of penalties at 16:55, but Mankato West successfully ran out the clock to secure the win.

Key Stats & Takeaways

✅ Zimmerman Delivers: Jaeger Zimmerman led the way with 2 goals, including the game-winner.
✅ Schreiber Stands Tall: Mankato West goalie Mason Schreiber stopped 15 of 16 shots (.938 SV%), keeping New Ulm’s offense at bay.
✅ Special Teams Struggles: Both teams failed to convert on power plays, with New Ulm going 0-for-3 and Mankato West 0-for-2.
✅ Scarlets Control the Pace: Mankato West outshot New Ulm 31-16, maintaining offensive pressure throughout the game.