For the first time in franchise history, the Willmar WarHawks are playoff-bound.

The WarHawks clinched their first playoff berth when Breezy Point lost to the Wausau RiverWolves Feb. 16, locking up last place in the West Division for the North Stars. Breezy Point's loss proved to be Willmar's gain as the WarHawks secured the final open playoff spot in the West Division.

The playoff berth doesn't come as much of a surprise, as the WarHawks have hovered above the North Stars for most of the year, but the second-year squad has made an indelible mark nonetheless.

"The boys are obviously excited," said WarHawk forward Braden Shea. "It's something to do for the community that has supported us through everything."

It's been a season with plenty of challenges for the WarHawks that has featured four head coaches, including newcomer Doc DelCastillo, who is working as a co-head coach with Mike Bowman. Despite the turnover on the bench, the players have been able to maintain a playoff spot throughout the season and now sit at a 20-19-4 record with 44 points, just three points off last season's total with four games to play.

Shea has played a big part in steadying the ship with a team-high 45 points on 17 goals and 28 assists. His goal total so far is tied with Brandon Holt for team-lead and only defenseman Wyatt Toll has more assists with 29. Shea has been hot of late as well with 11 points in six February games, including a five-point game in a 7-0 victory over Rochester on Feb. 9.

The former captain has gone through his own ups and downs this season but is quick to praise the coaching staff for the team's recent improvements.

"Once Doc came I think we got back on track," Shea said. "We've lost a lot of close, one-goal games but we've been playing well and we have the confidence we need to win those games. Doc knows hockey, he knows what it takes to get to the next level and it's been good with him and Mike. They both bring different things to the ice and it works well."

Willmar netminder Luke Fry has appreciated the nuance of having a co-head coach system.

"It's good to have two coaches like this because they come in with different styles," Fry said. "Mike is a bit quieter and Doc will yell a bit and he's a bit more upfront, but they both know their stuff. It's like having tough parents, they have our best interest at heart. It's hard to change habits so we've had longer practices and we're always talking. They come in from different backgrounds and that creates a really good setup."

That new setup has helped keep things fresh in the locker room, according to the Willmar goaltender. Combine the new looks with the success of the West Division and the WarHawks could be looking at a lengthy start to their playoff careers.

New Ulm leads the West Division with 59 points, just three points ahead of last year's Silver Cup Champions Granite City. Alexandria is tied with the Lumberjacks in the point total but sits in third place with one fewer victory. The WarHawks would need to beat each of their West Division foes before reaching the round-robin portion of the Silver Cup tournament, but Fry feels confident with his team.

"The team that makes it out of the West can go far," Fry said. "We've beaten every team in the division so we know we can do that.We have some things to fix but we're playing good. We could be on a whole new level by the time we hit the playoffs, too. If we can get past the Division then the sky is the limit."

Friday's Result

Willmar 4,

Alexandria 3

The Willmar WarHawks have had some trouble this season allowing multiple goals in a period and losing a lead, but it was just the opposite on Friday in Alexandria.

Peyton Bolstad, Jordan Cooper and Riley Dixon scored third-period goals and the WarHawks erased a two-goal deficit to edge the Blizzard at the Runestone Community Center.

The WarHawks scored the game's first goal in the second period but then gave up three-straight Alexandria goals and trailed 3-1 after two frames.

But Bolstad scored his second goal of the game at 3:44 of the third and Cooper scored a short-handed goal about two minutes later to tie the game 3-3.

Dixon, who had an assist and Bolstad's first goal, got his own at 9:05 for the lead.

WarHawks goalie Luke Fry turned away 26 of 29 shots.

Willmar 0 1 3 - 4

Alexandria 0 3 0 - 3

FIRST PERIOD - No scoring

SECOND PERIOD - W: Peyton Bolstad (Max Oelkers, Riley Dixon) 3:22 ... A: Brenden Payne (Logan Nelson, Jake Hermann) ... A: Payne (Hermann, Nelson) 8:30 ... A: Nelson (Ryan Worley, Marshall Tschida) 11:29

THIRD PERIOD - W: Bolstad (Kevin Swope, Noah Roach) 3:44 ... W: Jordan Cooper (Brandon Holt) 5:29 sh ... W: Dixon (Wyatt Toll, Bolstad) 9:05

GOALIE SAVES/SHOTS - Willmar: Luke Fry 26/29 ... Alexandria: Brady Meyers 18/22