By Bruce Karnick

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The Hastings girls hockey team is 7-13 overall and 2-5 in the conference after games against Mahtomedi and Simley last week. First up, the Zephyrs came to town on Jan. 18.

Mahtomedi jumped out to the lead at 1:07 into the second period on a power play goal. At 5:02, Lauren Muhl tied the game with an assist from Makayla Berquist. Hastings took the lead when Lauren Hubbart scored assisted by Kylie Gruden and Kiki Radant and that is when the flood gates opened. Next, Kyra Erickson scored, assisted by Muhl and Berquist, and Hastings was not done yet. The final goal of the period came when Ava Hoffman connected with Madyn Hanson, and Hanson then scored the even-strength goal to make it 4-1 Hastings.

Hastings started the third period with a goal from Jade Schauer, assisted by Hanson and Hoffman. Mahtomedi narrowed the gap to 5-2 just 37 seconds later, and Karissa Thompson added an insurance goal with the help of Hanson and Schauer. The final: 6-2 Hastings.

“I think we played hard but think I really liked what our freshmen were doing. It was the freshmen leading this team tonight. I was really proud of the young kids. I’m happy with how they worked down low. The forecheck was pretty good. I mean, we still have to work out three high but I’m pretty happy with everything all around. I think even though we didn’t score, we’re still generated chances in the first period. We probably should have been up 3-0 right out of the gate,” said Head Coach Tim Duggan.

Hastings overcame six penalties for 12 minutes, while Mahtomedi had one penalty for two minutes. Hastings had 49 shots on goal and Mahtomedi 13. Alexis Steinke earned her second win of the season.

Hastings played host to Simley on Jan. 21 for parent’s night. Defensively, the Raiders played well, including Nicole Vander Hayden in net who faced 32 shots on goal, stopping 30. Offensively, Hastings could not find their rhythm and they only managed 18 shots on goal.

Hastings hosts Hill-Murray on Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. before they travel to TRIA rink in St. Paul on Jan. 29 to take on Visitation. That game is technically a Hastings home game and is scheduled for 2 p.m. On Jan. 31, they travel to North St. Paul for a 7 p.m. game against North/ Tartan. The regular season ends Feb. 1 at Mahtomedi at 3 p.m.

Kyra Erickson scored one of six Raider goals against Mahtomedi to lift the Raiders to seven wins on the season.Photo by Bruce Karnick