The Austin Packers extended their Big Nine winning streak to eight games Tuesday by defeating Winona, 8-1.

Wednesday, January 17, 2001

The Austin Packers extended their Big Nine winning streak to eight games Tuesday by defeating Winona, 8-1. The win brings Austin to an 10-2, 8-0 in the conference.

Austin was paced on the evening by junior wing Nick Bowe, who tallied his second hat trick of the year, along with two assists.

"This was a good game for the red line (Josh Hansen, Brandon Schaefer, Bowe)" said head coach Denny Laumeyer. "It was a real confidence builder. There has been a lot of talk about the big game Saturday against Mayo, but we are taking it one game at a time. We showed that tonight, and we hope to ride this into our Thursday game with West, and we will take it from there. I have no doubt in our team’s ability, no matter who the opponent, we come to play."

Austin wasted no time as they opened the scoring 27 seconds into the contest as Bowe scored his first goal with assists coming from Cole Hughes and Schaefer. The Packers’ second goal came from Bowe at the 10:39 mark, as he took a beautiful pass from fellow red-liner Josh Hansen.

Austin came back some 30 seconds later to tally its third score of the game as Brad Wiechmann found an open slot in the goalie’s pads to make the score 3-0. The goal was assisted by Dave Lorenzen and Andy Klapperick.

Bowe then made the hats fly as he scored his third of the game with 1:54 left in the period, with assists going to Josh Hansen and Schaefer.

AHS’ second period goal came from the stick of Hansen at the 10:33 mark, with assists coming from brother Eric Hansen and Schaefer. Winona’s loan goal of the game came from senior forward Tony Johnson with 33 seconds left in the period.

The scoring didn’t end there, as many players were displeased with

Winona’s second period shot being scored a goal. The younger of the Hansens, Eric, started things off with a pretty move in front of the net off passes from Bowe and Schaefer to pad the lead.

The Packers’ first chance on the power play was also a successful one, as Wiechmann once again found an opening and added to Austin’s lead, as the lone assist came from E. Hansen.

AHS then finished things off at the 12:31 mark of the period as big brother Josh Hansen ended the scoring on an assist from Bowe.

Austin faces the Scarlets of Mankato West Thursday night at Riverside Arena.