Bluejays end Packer’s season
Published 9:51 pm Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Austin's Chloe Summerfield skates the puck through the Waseca zone during period 2 of the Section 1A girls hockey tournament Wednesday night at Riverside Arena. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Packers never really got going as they saw their season come to an end in a 5-1 loss to No. 5 Waseca in a Section 1A girls hockey quarterfinal game in Riverside Arena Wednesday.
Things went wrong from the start for No. 4 Austin (11-15 overall) as defenseman Justina Talamantes was given a five-minute major for checking from behind in the first period. The Bluejays (11-10-1 overall) took full advantage as they netted two powerplay goals in the five-minute stretch.
Austin's Madison Overby battles with Waseca's Taryn Juberien during the first period Wednesday night during their Section 1A tournament game at Riverside Arena. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“What hurt us right away was that five-minute major,” Austin head coach Denny Bray said. “That set the tone and we just couldn’t get out of that. We couldn’t keep the puck on our stick and we didn’t get any lucky breaks.”
Austin got as close as 2-1 when Kennedy Thompson scored on a put-back goal with 6:40 left in the first period, but the Packers never scored the rest of the way, despite out-shooting Waseca 38-37.
Austin beat Waseca 7-1 Nov. 19, but the Bluejays have now won seven of their last nine games.
“We kept telling them don’t take Waseca lightly,” Bray said. “Their goalie got hot and her confidence gave their skaters confidence and they were all motivated after that. I had all the respect in the world for this team and I didn’t feel comfortable going into it. I would’ve felt more comfortable against Albert Lea.”
The Packers will graduate four seniors — including long-time varsity players Abby Gallaher and Vanessa Talmantes, but they will return plenty of players with experience next season.
“We’re one of the youngest squads in the Big Nine and the younger girls will have to learn from this. We’ll be all right next year,” Bray said.
SCORING SUMMARY
Waseca 3 1 1 — 5
Austin 1 0 0 — 1
(W) Taryn Juberien (powerplay) (Jacie Hoehn, Alicia Knoll) 5:18
Austin's Abby Gallaher puts a shot on the Waseca net during the third period of their Section 1A section tournament game at Riverside Arena Wednesday night. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
(W) Hoehn (powerplay) 7:43
(A) Kennedy Thompson (Chloe Summerfield) 10:20
Second period
(W) Alicia Knoll (Hoehn, Katie Weisinger) 7:24
Third period
(W) Katelyn Miller (Olivia McIntosh, Hoehn) 1:45
Shots: Austin — 38; Waseca — 37
