Girls beat Rangers, then fall to Wolfpack in OT

The Hastings girls hockey team turned in a dominating performance in a 4-1 win over Forest Lake last Tuesday.

Hastings actually fell behind, 1-0, before coming back to score four unanswered goals.

“The girls had some misfortune with a puck that stuck to the ice right in front of the goalie and they scored early on it,” coach Jeff Corkish said. “After that our kids dominated the game, only giving up 11 shots total. We were relentless all over the ice, moving their feet all night, playing a full 51 minutes. Pressure caused them to get frustrated going to the penalty box more than a few times and allowing us to capitalize. It was a fun game to coach seeing the girls enjoy the feeling of controlling the game each shift.”

Hastings eighth-grader Kiki Radke scored her first varsity goal during the game.

“She took home the Mortel Hard Hat Award with her effort, causing lots of turnovers and scoring her first goal, which was short-handed,” Corkish said. “Some kids score their first goal off their melon or backside, but she decided to dangle the defenseman, then make a nice move on the goalie that took more than a little skill.”

Corkish said the team’s defense was especially strong against the Rangers.

“The entire team played good on defense this game,” he said. “We battled hard to get out of the corners on the forecheck, which ultimately led to us being on top of the puck most of the night and not scrambling back chasing odd-man rushes. We are used to cleaning up how many odd-man rushes we allow early in the season since we play very aggressively on the forecheck and this year is no different. We worked hard in practice to get back in good defensive position and our girls transferred what they learned right into the game for 51 minutes. The coaches were very impressed with their commitment to the team and their focus shift after shift.”

Jackie Stark scored the first Hastings goal, assisted by Hailey Lundquist. Later in the second period, Natalie Simons scored, assisted by Josie Stepan.

In the third period, Sami Claussen scored, assisted by Kaitlin Stark.

Radke added the fourth goal.

Brooke Weber played in goal for Hastings. She made 10 saves on 11 shots.

Vs Park

Hastings lost to Park on Tuesday night in overtime, 3-2.

“We came out playing about 75 percent and controlled the entire first period, outshooting them 12-2,” Corkish said. “We made one mistake in the first and it cost us a goal.”

Radke’s second varsity goal meant the two teams entered the first intermission at a 1-1 tie. She was assisted by Kit Ruedy.

In the second period, though, Hastings fell behind 2-1.

“When we came out in the second period we forgot to bring our work ethic with us,” Corkish said. “The team, from top to bottom, were very lazy and showed very little emotion – we got ourselves down 2-1 and came into the third period looking like someone kicked our puppy. The mood changed by the time we stepped on the ice for the third period and we played quite a bit better but nowhere near the level we saw against Forest Lake when we controlled the game all 51 minutes.”

The girls worked hard enough to get the equalizing goal to tie the game 2-2. The game-tying goal was scored by Danielle Duffy, who was assisted by Mikayla Minnaert.

Park entered the overtime period on the power play and they capitalized on the opportunity.

Weber played in goal and made 21 saves on 24 shots.

“This game was another example of the roller coaster a team will go through throughout a season,” Corkish said.

“Now we have to bounce back through practice, get back to having fun and loving to compete. Mounds View is here on Friday and is a game we will want to show up in so we don’t get too far back in conference play.”

Tags: raider hockey, sports, prep, hastings, minnesota, spiral