The River Lake Stars girls' hockey team traveled to the National Sports Center in Blaine last Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. They played some great hockey to earn them second place in the White Varsity Division.On Monday night, the Stars played North St. Paul and got a back-and-forth win 5-4. In the first period, the competition and hungriness for the puck was even for both teams. The Stars knew that they had to win the game in order to pull out a good place in the Holiday Cup Tournament. The Stars goalie, Shari Vogt, started out the game with many shots taken on her, but North St. Paul didn't stand a chance. There was no scoring for both teams in the first period.
Jenny Habben (11) clears the puck from the Stars' zone with Marya Losinski (8) ready to help. Habben had two assists last week.
In the second period, something came over the Stars and within ten minutes, the Stars scored three goals. Kari Turkowski had two and Marya Losinski had one. This was a great lead for the Stars, but somehow, St. Paul managed to score two goals in the period to net only a one-goal lead for the Stars, 3-2.
The third period was crucial for the offense and the defense. Both had to play their positions and also play smart and think ahead to stop any trouble from happening. The goals went back and forth from 3-2, to 3-3, to 4-3, to 4-4, and finally to 5-4 in favor of the Stars. Turkowski recorded a hat trick on the winning goal.
"This is a great start for us," said head coach Tom Petroski.
Vogt had an excellent game, stopping 52 shots as the River Lakes Stars advanced in their division.
| River Lakes-- | 0 | 3 | 2 | - 5 |
| North St. Paul-- | 0 | 2 | 2 | - 4 |
River Lakes 2
Richfield 1
On Tuesday, the Stars played Richfield and recorded another victory, as they defeated Richfield 2-1.
It happens to be that Richfield scored first, but the Stars weren't going to be stopped as Turkowski scored a goal to tie the game at one.
The Stars offense really took it to them and played their positions well as did the defense. There was no scoring in the second period.
The third period was a crucial part of the game, as it was a tie game. Every loose puck was fought over, both teams were more aggressive, and both teams wanted the win badly. Emily Moschkau scored halfway through the period to lift the Stars to victory by a score of 2-1.
| River Lakes-- | 1 | 0 | 1 | - 2 |
| Richfield-- | 1 | 0 | 0 | - 1 |
Hastings 2
River Lakes 1
On Wednesday, the Stars played at 8:45 p.m. in Blaine against Hastings for the championship. The Stars lost 2-1 and received second place, moving them up one spot from their third place finish last year.
The first period started off rough right away. Hastings was a very aggressive team and had ways to aggravate the Stars, which didn't stop them and there was even competition. But, Hastings scored in the first period to take a 1-0 lead.
The Stars knew that they were only down by one, but it was a downfall when Hastings scored again in the second period for a two-goal lead. Both teams had chances to score on the power play, and Hastings converted.
In the third period, Courtney Karsch scored a goal in the middle of the period to cut the deficit to one. But, the rest of the game remained that way and the Stars lost, receiving second place. Coach Jim Caron said the girls played their best hockey of the year in the tournament.
The Stars play next in Paynesville on Friday, Jan. 7, against Grand Rapids at 7:30 p.m. They play LPGE in Richmond next Tuesday at 7 p.m. Come and support your Stars.
| River Lakes-- | 0 | 0 | 1 | - 1 |
| Hastings-- | 1 | 1 | 0 | - 2 |