The Raiders entered the week 2-9 on a seven-game losing streak that ended against So. St. Paul (0-3) when the girls fought to a 2-2 tie. For a young Hastings group searching for momentum, the effort over back-to-back overtime games showed signs of progress, grit, and confidence starting to creep back into their game. That much needed confidence should supplement the never give up attitude the Raider have had all season. Even during the seven game skid, the girls played a full 51 minutes each game with positivity and as much energy as they could muster and they were finally rewarded for their efforts.
Hastings opened the week Tuesday night at Hastings Civic Arena against South St. Paul and played one of its most complete efforts of the season in a 2-2 tie that went to overtime. After a quiet start offensively, the Raiders slowly found their legs and finished the night with a 41-39 edge in shots, including a strong push late in regulation and through the extra session.
South St. Paul struck first midway through the opening period, capitalizing at even strength to grab a 1-0 lead. Hastings stayed composed and kept the game within reach thanks in large part to steady goaltending from Addison Lanning, who turned aside 37 shots on the night and remained sharp during extended defensive-zone time early.
After a scoreless second period, Hastings broke through in the third with a pair of goals in a span of just over a minute. Olyvia Erickson tied the game at 10:55 with a power play goal, finishing a setup from Anni Schriefer to finally reward the Raiders for sustained pressure. Just 1:09 later, Haley Siebenaler gave Hastings its first lead of the night with an even strength tally, swinging momentum firmly to the home bench.
South St. Paul answered later in the period on the power play to even the score at 2-2, setting up a tense final stretch. Both teams had chances in overtime, with Hastings continuing to generate shots, but neither side could find the winner. The tie snapped Hastings’ long skid and gave the group a tangible step forward.
Hastings tied South St. Paul 2-2 in overtime, Erickson and Siebenaler scored, Hastings went 1 for 3 on the power play, outshot South St. Paul 41-39, and Lanning made 37 saves.
That momentum carried into Saturday afternoon at St. Thomas Ice Arena, where Hastings earned a 3-2 overtime win against Visitation in a tightly contested matchup. Unlike the midweek game, the Raiders played from in front early and responded well when Visitation pushed back.
Hastings struck first in the opening period when Erickson continued her strong week, scoring at even strength to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead. Visitation responded later in the period on the power play to even the score, setting the tone for a back-and-forth afternoon.
The Raiders again took the lead in the second period, this time with a shorthanded goal. Sophie Thorkelson finished a play created by Mackenzie Krauth, giving Hastings a 2-1 advantage and rewarding an aggressive penalty kill. Visitation answered later in the period with an even strength goal, sending the game into the third tied 2-2.
The third period featured strong defensive play on both sides, with chances limited and goaltending taking center stage. Lanning came up with several key saves as Visitation applied pressure late, while Hastings generated quality looks but could not find the go-ahead goal before the horn.
2:25 into the extra session, Visitation gave Hastings the boost they needed. A slashing penalty gave the Raiders a skater advantage, but the Blaze defense held strong, killing off the penalty. Visitation then had a mental lapse as the penalty expired and six seconds later, Erickson scored her second goal of the game at even strength, ending it and sealing the Raiders’ first win in several weeks. The goal capped a standout performance for Erickson and gave Hastings a confidence boosting road victory.
Hastings defeated Visitation 3-2 in overtime, Erickson scored twice including the game winner, Thorkelson added a shorthanded goal, Hastings was 0 for 4 on the power play, Visitation went 1 for 4, Hastings was outshot 30-29, and Lanning made 28 saves.
Hastings now turns its attention to the final game before the holiday break. The Raiders will host Rochester Mayo on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at Hastings Civic Arena at 6:30 p.m. After the break, Hastings travels to Hill-Murray on Tuesday, Jan. 6 for a 6:00 p.m. start at Polar Arena, then heads to St. Paul Two Rivers on Friday, Jan. 9 at 7:00 p.m., before wrapping up the stretch Saturday, Jan. 10 at Benson Civic Center against Morris Area with a 3:00 p.m. faceoff.