PREP GIRLS HOCKEY: Tigers roll past Windom Area with second period scoring, 5-1
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MARSHALL - The Marshall girls hockey team returned home Tuesday looking to continue the momentum it had gained last week from an overtime victory against New Ulm. After a low-scoring opening period against Windom Area, the Tigers offense began to fire on all cylinders, scoring three times in the second on their way to a 5-1 victory over the Eagles at the Red Baron Arena and Expo.
Marshall coach Cassi Weiss said overall they were able to pass the puck well and create opportunities for quality shots, especially in the second period.
"I think we came out strong and we played decent in the first period, but the second period was definitely where we really strived," Weiss said. "We started passing the puck a little bit better, and we found the back of the net. We got some shots and that's kind of what we needed."
Both teams got out to a slow start, as only a few shots were taken on goal. Strong defense was the big key in the first period, but Marshall's offense was the first to break out the scoring as the first period came to a close. With under 30 seconds left, Maddy Penske and Emelia Barker worked the puck towards the net and the shot attempt was deflected off the padding of Windom Area's goaltender. Fortunately for the Tigers, Kaitlyn Timm was right there to take the sliding puck and put it in the back of the net for a rebound goal with 20 seconds to go, giving Marshall a 1-0 lead after one.
Energized by the late score in the opening period, the Tigers shot out of the gates in the second frame and were quickly rewarded as Sydney Mauch scored a short-handed goal a little more than a minute in to make it 2-0. A few minutes later, the Tigers earned a power-play opportunity on a tripping penalty by the Eagles and took advantage, as Barker got the assist from Timm and netted a goal of her own to push Marshall's lead to 3-0 nearly six minutes into the period.
Barker's night wasn't done there, though, as the sophomore defenseman took control of the puck and skated nearly the entire length of the ice. She then strategically placed it past the Windom goaltender for her second goal of the night and a 4-0 lead for the Tigers.
Weiss said their key offensively was their ability to do a better job of getting to the net for their scoring opportunities in the second period.
"I think what changed was we were just going to the net instead of just throwing it in front of the net," Weiss said. "We started getting better quality shots and that resulted in the goals."
Facing a large deficit, the Eagles wasted very little time in getting close to the net to start the third and quickly capitalized, scoring just 11 seconds into the third period to cut the deficit to 4-1. But that was the closest Windom got the rest of the night, as Marshall pushed it back out to a four-goal advantage thanks to another goal from Mauch with 11:19 remaining, and the Tigers finished with a 5-1 victory.
Marshall and Windom Area both ended the game with 25 shots. Emma Klenken earned the victory in net for the Tigers, recording 24 saves.
Defensively, Weiss said she felt they did a good job of covering Windom in front of the net and that Klenken controlled the loose pucks well.
"I think our breakouts were going well and just covering girls in front of the net," Weiss said. "Emma had a good game controlling her rebounds, so it's all we can really ask for."
Marshall (6-3) will face Mankato West on Thursday at home, starting at 5:15 p.m. The two teams faced each other in last year's section championship game, so Weiss knows it's going to be a challenge but they have to come out strong and play their game against the Scarlets.
"Thursday's going to be big," Weiss said. "It's who we beat in the section finals last year, so I think just coming out strong and playing our game is what we're going to focus on and getting some quality shots on net."
Marshall 5, Windom Area 1
Windom 0 0 1 - 1
Marshall 1 3 1 - 5
First Period
SCORING
Marshall: Timm, 16:40 (Barker, Penske)
PENALTIES
No penalties.
Second Period
SCORING
Marshall: Mauch, 1:08 (short-handed) (unassisted).
Marshall: Barker, 5:53 (power play) (Timm).
Marshall: Barker, 11:11 (unassisted).
PENALTIES
Marshall: Hunsley, 16:49 (Tripping, 2 min).
Windom: Turner, 12:23 (Tripping, 2 min).
Marshall: Timm, 8:25 (Tripping, 2 min).
Third Period
SCORING
Windom: Volk, 0:11 (LaCanne).
Marshall: Mauch, 5:41 (unassisted).
PENALTIES
Marshall: Mauch, 2:51 (Roughing, 2 min).
SHOTS ON GOAL: Marshall 25; Windom Area 25.
SAVES: Marshall 24; Windom Area 20.