The Hastings Raiders girls hockey team entered last week with a 3-14-1 record and faced a busy stretch with two games in two days, both on the road. Hastings opened the week on Friday, Jan. 9, with a conference game against St. Paul Two Rivers, which came in at 11-7-1. The Raiders followed that up on Saturday, Jan. 10, with a nonconference matinee at Morris Benson Area, which entered the game with a 3-9 record. With the regular season winding down, the week offered Hastings a chance to measure its progress and build momentum heading into the final stretch.
On Friday night at West St. Paul Arena, Hastings and St. Paul Two Rivers traded early chances in a fast paced first period. Two Rivers opened the scoring midway through the period, but the Raiders responded with steady pressure of their own. Hastings generated eight shots on goal in the opening frame and tied the game at 13:28 when Sophie Thorkelson finished a rebound chance in tight. Mackenzie Krauth and Anni Schriefer picked up the assists as Hastings matched Two Rivers 1-1 after one, despite being outshot 10-8.
The second period proved to be the turning point. St. Paul Two Rivers scored just 18 seconds into the period and added three more goals as the game opened up. Hastings continued to push back and created several scoring chances of its own, putting eight more shots on goal in the period. Stella Thurmes scored for the Raiders late in the second period at 15:52, finishing a play set up by Krauth and Delaney Solberg. Less than 10 seconds later, Two Rivers answered again, sending Hastings into the second intermission trailing 5-2. Penalties played a role in the flow, but neither team was able to convert on the power play.
The third period settled into a tighter defensive battle. Hastings managed just two shots on goal, while Two Rivers recorded seven as both teams focused on protecting the middle of the ice. The Raiders stayed disciplined and did not allow any late goals, keeping the score at 5-2 through the final horn. There was no pulled goalie situation, but Hastings continued to battle for loose pucks and tried to generate offense in the closing minutes.
For the game, Hastings finished with 18 shots on goal and went 0 for 6 on the power play. The Raiders were assessed six penalties for 12 minutes. Thorkelson and Thurmes scored the Hastings goals, while Krauth led the team with two assists. Addison Lanning made 23 saves on 28 shots in goal as Hastings fell 5-2.
Less than 24 hours later, Hastings rebounded in a big way on Saturday afternoon in Benson. The Raiders came out sharp from the opening faceoff and controlled the first period, outshooting Morris Benson Area 14-1. Olyvia Erickson opened the scoring at 3:14 with an even strength goal assisted by Sky Woodwick. Thorkelson added her second goal of the weekend late in the period to give Hastings a 2-0 lead after one.
The second period was all Hastings as the Raiders poured in seven goals and dominated possession. Hastings fired 22 shots on goal in the middle frame and spread the scoring throughout the lineup. Goals came from Haley Siebenaler, Thorkelson, Ella Hauschildt, Delaney Solberg, Kyndra Otto, Anni Schriefer, and Mackenzie Krauth. The Raiders moved the puck well, attacked off the rush, and turned rebounds into quality chances, building a 9-0 lead heading into the third period.
Hastings stayed aggressive in the third period and continued to roll lines. The Raiders added three more goals while holding Morris Benson Area to six shots on goal. Krauth scored early in the period, Otto followed with her second of the game, and Haylee Newton closed out the scoring late. Hastings finished the game with 12 shots in the third period and controlled play to the final buzzer.
Hastings totaled 48 shots on goal in the 12-0 win and committed no penalties, with no power plays awarded to either team. Thorkelson scored twice, while Krauth and Otto each recorded two goals. Schriefer, Krauth, and Otto all finished with three points. In goal, Addison Lanning stopped all six shots she faced in the first two periods, and Madalyn McNamara turned aside six shots in the third to complete the shutout.
Hastings now has four games remaining in the regular season. The Raiders will host Visitation on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 5 p.m. at Hastings Civic Arena. Hastings then plays outdoors on Hockey Day Minnesota on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 9:30 a.m. in Cottage Grove, before returning home to face East Ridge on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 p.m., and Owatonna on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m.