2012-13 Winter Preview: Seniors Turitto, Tate to lead Park girls hockey team in 2012-13

Park graduated two of its top point leaders and its No. 1-goaltender, but the Wolfpack still brings back a mix of experience and talent to the rink in 2012-13.

After a 14-11-2 season where Park reached the Section 3AA semifinals, leading scorer Mary Turitto returns after a 40-point season. But Turitto will have to adjust to a new supporting cast after the Wolfpack graduated Caitlin Quinn, who had 11 goals and 21 assists, and Allie Thalhuber, who scored 14 goals and 16 assists.

Park isn’t without goal scorers, however. Junior defenseman Anna Keys had six goals and 17 assists, senior Alicia Wagenman had 11 points (five goals and six assists), and junior Madison Nelson had four goals and five assists.

After playing behind goaltender Allie Morse for the last three seasons, senior Caitlin Tate takes over the No. 1 goaltender spot. Tate had a 3-1-1 record last season with a 2.38 goals against average and .918 save percentage. Tate made 34 saves in her first start of the season and gave up two goals in a win over Rosemount.

The Wolfpack will retool its offense after producing 3.21 goals per game and connecting on 20.5 percent of its power-play chances. Through three games this season Park has scored eight goals.

Penalties have hampered the Wolfpack in the early part of the season. In the season opener, Park had five penalties and followed that up with eight in a 4-0 loss to Burnsville.

The Wolfpack secured the second seed in the Section 3AA tournament last season and advanced to the semifinals against Apple Valley. Park fell 3-2 to the Eagles and top-seeded Eagan went on to beat Apple Valley 2-1 for the section title.

The Wolfpack has six seniors on the roster this season, including Tate, Wagenman and Turitto. Park will rely upon a pair of junior defensemen in Paige Hill and Keys, along with Wickenhouser, sophomore Sam Anderson, sophomore Meg Ackerman and freshman Dani Perry.

The Wolfpack faced Mounds View on Tuesday after the Bulletin went to press.

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