It’s fitting that the Austin girls’ hockey team opens its Section 1 playoff run tonight against Rochester John Marshall at 8 p.

Friday, February 11, 2000

It’s fitting that the Austin girls’ hockey team opens its Section 1 playoff run tonight against Rochester John Marshall at 8 p.m. at Riverside Arena.

The Packers’ success this season has been built on their two wins over John Marshall. With the two wins, the Packers vaulted over the Rockets to finish in third place in the Big Nine with a 9-5 mark. Mayo finished on top with a record of 12-1 and Owatonna second at 12-2. John Marshall was fourth at 8-6.

"One of our goals this year was to finish in the top three of the Big Nine," Austin coach Denny Bray said. "The two wins against JM helped us achieve it.

"In the first game they out shot us 59-25, but (goalie) Katie Fedoryk was spectaular in net and we got the win. In the second game we out-shot them 26-24 and beat them 3-0. It was Fedoryk’s second of three straight shutouts during the season.

"During that stretch we out- scored Albert Lea, JM and Winona 19-0."

All told, Fedoryk has five shutouts on the season.

Fedoryk and center Rhianna Jacobs (52 points on the season) and defender Bobee Jo Lang (32 points) were named to the All-Big Nine first team. Forward Melissa Dickhut (22 points) and defender Kellie Petersen were honorable mention All-Big Nine performers.

Forwards Tennie McCabe, Jennie Hocum and Lindsey Tilbury are the three John Marshall All-Big Nine players. McCabe scored her 100th varsity goal in John Marshall’s 5-0 first round win over Waseca. The senior has been on the ice for the Rockets varsity since she was in the seventh grade.

"We will make sure someone is always on her," Bray said. "We won’t shadow her, but we will look at the number. If we see her number some one will take her."

The only other time these two teams have met in the playoffs was in the first year of Austin varsity girls’ hockey. Austin won that game in triple overtime with Fedoryk having a big game in net as a freshman.

She is now a senior.

"We have had a good week of practice and rest," Bray said. "We will be pumped hoping to fulfill another goal for the season – to get to the section final."

On tonight’s roster, Jacobs will center Jessica Petersen and Lisa Snyder on the first line with Lang and Kellie Petersen getting the start on defense.

The second line has Dickhut centering Courtney Hughes and Megan Schmidt. Jenny Nemitz and Traci Petersen will be the defenders.

The third line has Sarah Brady winged by Jamie Heller and Katie Radford Garcia. Lindsey Blom will be the fifth defender

Section 1 Tournament

Wednesday’s Scores

Faribault 9, Albert Lea 1

Farmington 2, Northfield 1

Lakeville 12, Dodge County 0

John Marshall 5, Waseca 0

Red Wing 6, Winona 0

Friday’s Schedule

No. 6 John Marshall (14-9) at No. 3 Austin (13-10) 8 p.m.

No. 7 Red Wing (14-8-1) at No. 2 Rochester Mayo (15-7)

No. 9 Faribault (7-13-1) at No. 1 Owatonna (17-4-1)

No. 5 Farmington (11-9-3) at No. 4 Lakeville (6-17)