Sophomore Dallas Williamson had his first multi-goal game in a big way, scoring a hat trick in leading the Austin boys' hockey team to a 9-1 over Madison (Wis.) LaFollette in the opening round of the Granite City Classic Thursday night in St. Cloud.

Williamson scored both of Austin's power-play goals as the Packers (4-2) took advantage of a slower LaFollette team. Austin's opposition was whistled for 11 penalties in the 60-minute match. All games of the Granite City Classic are played with 20-minute periods.

"They were a pretty chippy team," said AHS coach Troy Holtz. "This was a good game to get out of the way."

Austin plays St. Cloud Cathedral (8-2) in tonight's 5 p.m. semifinal. Cathedral defeated St. Cloud Apollo 3-2 in overtime in the first-round finale Thursday night.

Brad Wiechmann's team-leading seventh goal game 17 seconds into the second period and the rout began. The Packers trailed 1-0 after the first intermission despite outshooting LaFollette 18-9 in the opening frame. For the game, Austin attempted 55 shots on goal.

"Even in the first period we dominated," Holtz said. "Their goalie made some nice saves but in the second we started moving the puck side-to-side on him and we got some goals."

Austin pounded home a number of rebounds in the lopsided win, moving the puck around its offensive zone and forcing LaFollette goalie Peter Gavinski to move laterally.

The Packers scored six goals in the second period, putting 27 shots on net.

Williamson added an assist to his first career hat trick as Wiechmann's line, including Quinn Ellingson, accounted for five goals and four assists. Wiechmann had a goal and two assists and Ellingson had a goal and an assist.

Senior defenseman Eric Hansen had a goal and three assists, taking the team lead with 14 points. Andy Swank, a senior center, scored his first two goals of the season.

Summary:

Austin063--9

LaFollette100--1

First Period--1, LAF, Kevin Matthews, 13:54 (pp).

Second Period--2, AUS, Brad Wiechmann 7 (Quinn Ellingson, Eric Hansen), :17. 3, AUS, Dallas Williamson 3 (Hansen), 4:30 (pp). 4, AUS, Williamson 4 (Wiechmann, Hansen), 11:42. 5, AUS, Andy Swank 1 (John Bastyr), 12:03. 6, AUS, Ellingson 4 (Wiechmann, Williamson), 14:38. 7, AUS, Swank 2 (Paul Leathers), 18:21.

Third Period--8, AUS, Kevin Madson 3 (Willie Granholm), 9:01. 9, AUS, Williamson 5, 11:30 (pp). 10, AUS, Hansen 7, 15:59.

Shots on Goal--Austin 18-27-10--55; LaFollette 9-5-5--19.

Penalties--Austin 7, LaFollette 11.

Goalies--Austin, Alex Petersen 1-1-0 (19 shots-18 saves); LaFollette, Peter Gavinski (55-46).