Austin Packers girls’ hockey falls to Mankato East Thursday evening 3-2

The Austin Packers girls’ hockey team was looking for its second win in a row Thursday night as they hosted the Mankato East Cougars in a Big 9 Conference tilt at Riverside Arena, and a power play goal from Kailey Newton, her second goal of the game in the third period was enough to lift the Cougars past the Packers 3-2.

Newton opened the scoring at 5:36 of the first period, but Austin’s A.J. Barrera knotted the game at one with a power play goal at 14:49, with assists to Kate Holtz and Sara Wangen.  The Cougars took the lead back at 1:51 of the second period with a goal from Kalea Homich,  but the Packers again came back to tie the game at two with another power play goal, this one from Kate Holtz with assists to Sara Wangen and Isikiyah Hemann at 8:59.  Newton’s second of the game on the power play at 10:44 of the third period, though, turned out to be the eventual game-winner for the Cougars.

East outshot Austin in the game 43-22, and the Packers’ Shelby Davidson turned away 40 of the 43 shots she faced, while Hailey Baker made 20 saves in facing 22 shots to earn the win between the pipes.  Both teams were strong on the power play with Austin going 2 for 4, while Mankato East was 1 for 2.

With the loss, Austin drops to 5-4-1 on the season, and the Packers return to the ice next Thursday at Riverside Arena versus the Red Wing Wingers, with face-off at 7:15 p.m.  You’ll hear the game on AM 1480 KAUS, and also on our website at myaustinminnesota.com, and on the I Heart Radio app.