Hastings wins season opener over Eastview in overtime, 5-4

The girls hockey season got off to a great start for the Hastings Raiders on Thursday night with a 5-4 overtime win over Eastview.

The Lighting took a 1-0 lead in the second period, then added to that lead with a goal at 9:08 of the third period.

“We got off to a slow start, showing little energy and aggression,” coach Jeff Corkish said. “This was somewhat surprising since it was the first game of the year and we expected more get up and go from the girls. It may have been nerves or just a bad dinner that they all ate, either way we knew we were going to be in trouble if they did not eventually show up. Eastview got the lead 1-0 and held on to that into the third when they eventually made it 2-0.”

The momentum started to turn at 9:47 of the third, when Kiki Radke scored on a faceoff, assisted by Natalie Simons, on the power play.

“This goal gave us a spark and got us playing hard and more aggressive, finally get in on the forecheck and having some support on the puck as well as on the back check,” Corkish said.

Eastview, though, came back with a goal two minutes later to take a 3-1 lead.

“Even though we started to play much better we still found ourselves down 3-1 after another Eastview goal that they got on a lucky bounce,” Corkish said.

Hastings made it 3-2 with a goal by Jackie Stark at 13:05, assisted by Kit Ruedy.

The game was tied at 14:22 when Radke scored again.

Eastview scored with just 30 seconds remaining, taking a 4-3 lead.

Hastings, though, came back and tied the game 4-4 with a goal by Stark, coming with just seven seconds left to play. She was assisted by Erin Moes and Radke.

“Going into overtime our bench gave off the feeling that there was no way we were going to tie or lose that game,” Corkish said. “They might have held us to seven shots in the first two-plus periods but the last eight minutes of the third and in overtime we ended with another 17 shots.”

Hastings got the game-winner at 5:12. Radke scored her third goal of the night, giving the Raiders the win.

“Kiki did this on a bad leg that almost had her out of the game after the second period,” Corkish said. “She showed how tough she is, never wanting to stop playing. It was great to see the girls battle back, but they know they will have to come to play at the start of the game in the future or we may not be on the winning end of many games.”

Brooke Weber played in goal for Hastings. She made 26 saves on 30 shots.

Tuesday

Hastings beat Farmington on Tuesday, 5-3.

Tags: hhs hockey, sports, hastings, minnesota, spiral, local, prep