The Hastings Raiders girls hockey team entered last week with a 4-15-1 record and stayed home at Hastings Civic Arena for two games that showed both the grind of a close loss and the reward of a strong bounce back win. Hastings first hosted Simley on Tuesday, Jan. 13, then returned to the ice Saturday, Jan. 17, for a matinee against Visitation.
On Tuesday night, Hastings faced Simley, which came in with an 8-10-2 record, in a conference game at Hastings Civic Arena. Puck drop was at 6:30 p.m., and the game stayed scoreless through one period as both teams worked to settle in.
In the first period, Hastings focused on defense and struggled to generate offense early. The Raiders finished the opening period with just two shots on goal, while Simley recorded eight. The score remained 0-0 after 17 minutes, giving Hastings a chance to regroup heading into the second period.
The second period brought a shift in momentum as Hastings picked up its pace. The Raiders fired 16 shots on goal in the period and spent long stretches in the offensive zone. Despite the pressure, Simley struck first at 2:11, scoring an even strength goal. Hastings continued to push but could not find the net before the period ended. Simley held a 1-0 lead after two periods.
In the third period, Hastings kept pressing, finishing with 10 shots on goal, while Simley recorded seven. Simley added an insurance goal at 3:31 to make it 2-0. Hastings had chances late and continued to battle but could not solve the Simley goaltender. The Raiders did not pull the goalie and played the final minutes at even strength as time ran out.
Simley finished with 19 total shots on goal, while Hastings recorded 28. Hastings was called for four penalties totaling eight minutes, while Simley had three penalties for six minutes. Both teams went scoreless on the power play, with Hastings finishing 0 for 3. Addison Lanning made 17 saves for Hastings in the loss.
Hastings returned to the ice Saturday afternoon against Visitation, which entered the game with a 4-13-1 record. The game began at 2 p.m. at Hastings Civic Arena and had a different feel from the opening faceoff.
The Raiders set the tone in the first period, outshooting Visitation 7-6. Hastings opened the scoring at 4:01 when Olyvia Erickson scored a power play goal, assisted by Anni Schriefer. Hastings controlled play for much of the period and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
In the second period, Hastings continued to build momentum, putting 14 shots on goal. Erickson scored again at 2:48 on an even strength play to make it 2-0. Sophie Thorkelson added a power play goal at 6:18, assisted by Erickson, pushing the lead to 3-0. Visitation answered with a goal at 9:11, but Hastings responded quickly when Allison Werner scored at 11:11 to restore a three-goal lead. Hastings led 4-1 after two periods.
The third period stayed in Hastings control. The Raiders finished with six shots on goal, while Visitation managed just two. Anni Schriefer scored a power play goal at 2:35, assisted by Erickson, and Stella Thurmes added another power play goal at 7:57, also assisted by Erickson. Hastings closed out the game with a 6-1 win and steady play through the final minutes.
Hastings finished with 27 total shots on goal, while Visitation had 14. Hastings was whistled for three penalties totaling six minutes, while Visitation had seven penalties for 14 minutes. The Raiders went 4 for 6 on the power play. Erickson led Hastings with two goals and three assists, while Schriefer had a goal and an assist. Addison Lanning made 13 saves, and Madalyn McNamara saw four minutes of action in relief as Hastings earned a strong team win.
Hastings now turns its attention to the final stretch of the regular season. The Raiders will take part in Hockey Day Minnesota on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 9:30 a.m. at the United Heroes League Ice Rink in Hastings. The Raiders will then return home to the Hastings Civic Arena to face East Ridge on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 p.m., before closing the regular season against Owatonna on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m.