By Derek Simon

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The Hastings girls’ hockey team was seeded 7th in the section playoffs and faced off with the 2nd seeded Eastview Lightning in the first round of the section tournament Tuesday night. Hastings had a few tough luck losses on the season that cost them a chance at a .500 record or better. The Raiders instead would finish the regular season with a 7-11 record, the best season by winning percentage in the last five years. Eastview finished the regular season with a 12-4-1 record.

Early in the 2019-2020 season, the Lightning and Raiders met in Hastings for an early season matchup. Eastview won that game 10-0, the Raiders knew they were an improved team, but this would be a tough matchup.

Eastview and Hastings would stay scoreless until the 7:49 mark of the first period when the Lightning scored on the power play. The minor penalty for too many skaters on the ice, was Hastings only penalty of the evening as they played a very disciplined game. Eastview would score again at 13:03 to take a 2-0 lead. The Lightning would take the 3-0 lead into the locker room after outshooting Hastings 13-2 in the period.

In the second period, Eastview would add goals at 4:03 and 7:34 to take a commanding 4-0 advantage. Hastings get a few more chances in the period but were unable to put one past the Lightning goaltender. Eastview led 4-0 after the second period and held a 14-6 advantage in shots for the period.

Eastview then scored the final goal of the game at 2:48 of the third period. The goal gave the Lightning a 5-0 lead. Eastview would double up Hastings in shots 14-7 in the period and held a 41-15 advantage for the game.

Hastings proved that they were an improved team, but still could not keep pace with the Lightning. There is no shame in losing to Eastview as after they defeated the Raiders, they also beat Rosemount 5-1 and Apple Valley 5-1. The victory over the Eagles clinched the section title and a State Tournament berth.

Kiki Radant led the Raiders in goals this season with nine. Other top goal scorers for Hastings were Lauren Skov with eight, Kaitlin Petrich with seven, and Jaida Hanson and Makayla Berquist with four each.

Lexi Ramsbacher led the team in assists with nine. Petrich had eight helpers, Hanson dished out seven, Radant six and Ireland Zaruba had five assists this season.

Radant and Petrich tied for the team lead in points on the season with 15. Skov and Ramsbacher had 12 points apiece. Hanson had 11 points on the year.

The loss to Eastview would be the final time that nine seniors: Hanson, Ramsbacher, Petrich, Aryana Klaren, Brynne Jorgenson, Isabelle Riches, Maddie Dick, Jamie Kennedy, and McKenna Benson would put on the Raiders Sweater.

Head Coach Tim Duggan spoke to the players before their game against Eastview going over final reminders for the gameplan. Photo by Bruce Karnick