Jan 2, 2026
Staff Photo by Jake Olson: Fairmont’s Klay Beemer flicks a shot on goal during the opening period of Friday night’s 2-1 loss to the Faribault Falcons at Martin County Arena.
FAIRMONT – The Faribault boys hockey team took advantage of both power plays on Friday night, scoring twice in the second and third periods to jump past Fairmont 2-1 at Martin County Arena.
The Cardinals were unable to capitalize on their own opportunities at the net throughout the contest, outshooting the Falcons 27-16.
“We were a little rusty,” Fairmont co-head coach Paul Carlson said. “It’s been two weeks since we have had a game, so it just took a little time to shake the rust off.”
It was apparent early on that both teams were fighting to get back into game rhythm during the first period, mustering a combined 11 shots on goal while trying to jostle for consistent puck possession.
Fairmont finally got on the board after taking full advantage of its third power play of the game midway through the second period. Passes from Gavin Kester and Noah Meixell led to a wide open Klay Beemer on the right side of the net, who took care of the set up to give his team the early cushion.
The Cardinals had a couple more chances later on in the period to blow the game out of proportion for Faribault, but were ultimately unable to get past the padding of goalkeeper CJ Callan at the net. Falcon defenders withstood clean shots from Preston Cepress, Preston Geerdes and Hunter Olson to keep the contest within one.
“Their goalie played really well. He did this to us last time too, where we couldn’t get anything going,” Fairmont co-head coach Scott Nuss said, referring to the Cardinals last game against Faribault on Dec 2. “Finally, we got more people into the play, where the first guy is taking the shot and there is a better choice to pass to the guy in the center. We did that better last time.”
Faribault’s stern defense opened the door for an equalizing goal late in the second period.
A cross-check penalty from Meixell gave the Falcons a slight advantage with one minute to play. Faribault’s Thomas Kunze took care of the rest, slicing in from the left side of the ice before pushing the puck past goalkeeper Kaden Olson. Momentum swung back into the Falcons grasp.
“Their number eight [Kunze] is a really good player,” Nuss said. “Last time we played him he had a hat trick. They were on the power play and he just walked in with nobody on him. He’s very good at dribbling, got around our boys and had a nice shot.”
Carlson and Nuss’s team roared out of the third period with multiple strong looks at the net from Meixell and Cepress that couldn’t crawl past the scoring line.
However, Faribault again took advantage of strong defensive play with another power play score to take its first lead of the night, with David Wagner charging the puck into the net after a face-off on the left side.
The Cardinals had one more chance with just under 10 minutes to play after earning their fifth and final power play for too many men on the ice. Despite getting two solid looks from Dayton Draper and Jase Meade, Fairmont never got the goal to tie things up.
“We had some great hockey plays but just didn’t finish,” Carlson said. “It either went wide or the goalie made a save, but we had some really good chances, especially at the end of the third period.”
Fairmont (3-4) will play on Saturday against Morris/Benson Area starting at 6 p.m. at the Benson Civic Center.
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