Park grirls hockey: Wolfpack beats East Ridge in rivalry game

After losing to Roseville at home and defeating rival East Ridge (4-14) at Bielenberg Sports Complex, Park (11-8) currently holds fifth place in the Suburban East Conference, ahead of Hastings, East Ridge, and Woodbury.

Against conference leader Roseville (17-2), Park maintained a tie game for most of the third period, but a powerplay goal put Roseville in the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Park pulled goalie Allie Morse in an attempt to even the score, but Roseville scored on the empty net, making the final score 3-1.

Roseville started the Tuesday, Jan. 17 game off strong, scoring the first goal nine minutes into the first period and outshooting Park 14-5. The ‘Pack played with good energy for period No. 2. Mary Turrito’s powerplay goal (assists Catlin Quinn and Alicia Wagenman) tied the game 1-1. Park matched Roseville’s depth, making nine shots on goal and preventing Roseville from scoring during the second period.

Park reversed roles for their game against East Ridge on Saturday, Jan. 21, winning 5-2.

An evenly matched, scoreless first period ended with eight shots on goal for each team, but Park returned to the ice ready to win. Park scored first with a goal from Turitto (assist Morse). Then, a powerplay goal from Anna Keys (asssits Turitto and Quinn) put Park ahead 2-0.

East Ridge’s Kayla Bender tightened up the score with a powerplay goal (assists Jesssica Hammer and Katelyn Bergloff) 10 minutes into the second period, but Park quickly widened the lead with goals from Allie Thalhuber (assist Callie McCarthy) and Turitto (assist Keys).

Although East Ridge outshot Park 10-6 for the period, the Pack finished it with a 4-1 lead.

A goal from each team kept the third period tight. East Ridge’s Maggie Ahmann (assist Bergloff) scored a powerplay goal early in the third period, but despite three more powerplay opportunities, the Raptors were unable to convert any more goals. Turitto scored on an empty net with two seconds remaining in the game for a final score of 5-2.

Park will play Mounds View (14-4 and third in the conference) on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

Tags: east ridge, sports, hockey, park, raptors, wolfpack, prep