Austin Packers girls’ hockey edges Worthington 3-2

The Austin Packers girls’ hockey team was looking to get back on the winning track Tuesday evening in Worthington versus the Trojans after having a five-game winning streak snapped by Minnehaha United Saturday, and a power play goal from Kate Holtz in the third period helped to lift the Packers to a 3-2 win.

Worthington took a 1-0 lead with only :07 seconds left in the first period on a goal from Aubree Pederson, but Austin’s Sara Wangen tied the game at 1 with the only goal of the second period only :17 into the frame, with an assist to Hailee Schaefer.  The Packers went into the lead at 2-1 on a power play goal from Izzy Hemann at 3:34 of the third period, with assists to Holtz and Samantha Krueger, but the Trojans tied the game at 2 with an even-strength tally by Allison Iverson at 5:56.  Holtz then tallied unassisted on the power play at 8:35 for the eventual game-winner for Austin.

It was a penalty-filled affair in Worthington Tuesday evening as the two teams combined for 12 penalties, eight on the Trojans for 16 minutes and four on the Packers for eight minutes.  Austin was 2 for 6 on the power play while Worthington was 0 for 3.  Packers goaltender Kyia Radford-Garcia turned away 10 of the 12 shots she faced to earn the win in net, while Austin fired 30 shots at Trojan netminder Lillyan Newman, who made 27 saves in taking the loss.

With the win, Austin is now 9-7 on the season, and the Packers are back in action in a huge game Thursday night in Albert Lea against the Tigers, as Austin looks to split the season series between the two squads and improve their seeding in the upcoming Section 1A playoffs.  Face-off from City Arena Thursday night is slated for 7:15 p.m.