For the first time in over two months the Mason City Toros lost a road game as they fell to the Willmar WarHawks, 3-2, on Friday night at the Willmar Civic Center Arena.
Shota Kaneko and Carter Newpower scored for Mason City but the Toros suffered their first road loss since Oct. 9 against the Rochester Grizzlies. Newpower’s goal tied the game up less than a minute after Willmar took a 2-1 lead in the second period. It also was his eighth goal in the last five games and his team-leading 23rd of the season.
Kaneko tallied the game’s first goal at the 7:40 mark of the first period but the Toros suffered just their second loss in 18 instances where they have scored first. It also marked the first time this year that Mason City lost when leading after the first period.
The Toros outshot the WarHawks, 35-31, but allowed the game-winning goal 4:30 into the third period and could not get the equalizer.
Mason City will get an opportunity to start a new streak Saturday night as it faces the Rochester at 7:05 p.m. at the Rochester Rec Center.
