The first puck dropped at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, but the meaning of the morning extended well beyond the opening faceoff. The forecast for the final day started with 15 below zero temps during warmups and by the time the game started, the temp was up to 5 below zero, but the wind picked up pushing the temps back to 15 below. At those temperatures, exposed skin becomes frostbit in around 30 minutes. Thankfully, the benches were heated and the teams came prepared.
The outdoor game between Hastings and Park of Cottage Grove opened the Hockey Day Minnesota village schedule and marked the 20th anniversary of Hockey Day MN. As the first game of the day, it set the tone for a celebration centered on community, tradition, and inclusion.
Before play began, the University of Minnesota ROTC color guard presented the colors and Hastings High School senior Layla Tuin followed with the national anthem, her performance carrying across the village and bringing the crowd to a respectful stillness despite the early hour.
The ceremonial puck drop that followed was the heart of the morning.
As part of the Hockey Day Minnesota celebration, Hastings recognized Dakota Hawks United, an adaptive athletics program serving middle and high school students with disabilities across Dakota County. The Hawks provide inclusive competitive opportunities in floor hockey, soccer, and softball through both cognitive and physical divisions, ensuring every student has the chance to compete, belong, and thrive.
Over the past two decades, Dakota Hawks United has become a model for inclusive sports, earning 11 MSHSL adapted state championships, including back-to-back state titles in softball in spring 2025 and soccer in fall 2025.
Hastings High School sophomore Nolan St. Sauver represented the Hawks at center ice. A three-sport Hawks athlete in soccer, floor hockey, and softball, Nolan is a two-time state champion and a clear reflection of the program’s values. He was greeted with sustained applause before dropping the ceremonial puck, a moment that captured the spirit of Hockey Day Minnesota better than any scoreboard could.
Only then did the game itself take over.
The first period ended scoreless as both teams adjusted to the outdoor conditions. Hastings opened the scoring late in the second period when Haley Siebenaler found the net at even strength. Park of Cottage Grove responded just 41 seconds later, as Addie Corkish scored on the power play off an assist from Maleah McMorrow to tie the game.
The deciding goal came at 8:01 of the third period. Siebenaler scored her second even-strength goal of the game, finishing a play set up by Bentley Stoffel to give Hastings a 2–1 lead.
Park of Cottage Grove controlled long stretches of play and finished with a 29–18 advantage in shots, but Hastings goalie Addison Lanning stopped 28 shots to hold the lead. On the other end, Hailey Garcia and Alayna Adamez combined to allow just two goals for Park of Cottage Grove.
When the final horn sounded, Hastings had earned a 2–1 win in the opening game of the Hockey Day Minnesota village. On a morning built around celebration and connection, the result felt secondary to everything that surrounded it, as exciting as the win was.
With the end of the season approaching, here are your Raider stat leaders. Olyvia Erickson leads the team with 16 points and Mackenzie Krauth is one point behind her with 15. Erickson is tied with Krauth and Haley Siebenaler (13 points) with nine goals. Sophie Thorkelson is close second with eight goals. Anni Schreifer leads with nine assists. Addison Lanning has been the starter in net all season and she has been the goalie of record for all 23 games. Lanning has faced 730 shots on goal saving 640 for a .877 save percentage in 1,153.48 minutes of play and 3.98 goals against average.
An important note to include, Erickson is just two points away from 50 career varsity points. Good luck, Olyvia!
The Raiders have one more game left in the regular season, a visit from Owatonna at Hastings Civic Arena on Jan. 31 at 2:00 p.m. and then it is on to the Section Tournament.
Section playoffs begin Feb. 4, with the lower seed traveling to the higher seed. At 1–3 in the section, Hastings is expected to be the eighth seed and would travel to the number one seed, which is likely going to be Apple Valley, for the first game. There is a small chance that could change, but if past section meetings are any indication, the section will keep the Raiders as the last seed.
If the Raiders pull off the upset against the Eagles, the second and third round of the section tournament will be played at the high seed on Feb. 7 and Feb. 11 respectively. All game times are yet to be determined once the seeding is locked in at the section meeting this weekend. Watch our Facebook page for the final decisions made at the weekend meeting and the schedule for Feb. 4