Sophomore Marshall Tiger defensmen Mia Wichmann (6) is clearing the puck in Friday’s action against the Dodge County Wildcats.

MARSHALL- The Marshall Tigers girls’ hockey team is hosting a two-day Thanksgiving Classic tournament at the Red Baron Arena. The Tigers would fall to Dodge County Wildcats 3-1 on Friday afternoon.

The Tigers were outshot 12-3 in the first period and surrendered the first goal of the game within 67 seconds. The Tigers were in an early hole 1-0. The inability of the Tigers to get shots on goal was the culprit of the deficit in the first period.

After the intermission, the Tigers would double their shot output from period one to two by getting six shots. The Tigers also scored an unassisted goal by Kendal Beernaart with 4:06 remaining in the 2nd period to trim the lead to 2-1. the Wildcats would get their second goal on a power play.

The third period was all-out hustle from the Tigers. Bodies were flying everywhere trying to tie up the game. The Tigers only had three penalties the entire game but two of them came in the final period. Leaving them a player down in four of the 17 minutes played.

Regan Loft had a chance to tie but the shot went wide left with less than a minute playing. After the Tigers pulled the goalie, Dodge Co. Was able to score a long-range goal with 14 seconds left in the contest. Although it was a valiant effort, the Tigers couldn’t overcome the deficit and lost 3-1. After the first period, the Tigers would outshoot Dodge Co. 14-8, the rest of the way.

“I think we were a little slow coming into the first and we let them take control of the game,” Tigers girls hockey head coach Cassi Weiss said. “We saw that we cut down their shots in the 2nd and third periods, but we have to be a little bit cleaner in our offensive zone getting pucks to the net. Our power play was a little tough today. They have really solid girls on their team, we had some opportunities but just couldn’t capitalize.”

Weiss also added that her goalie Belle Deutz kept them in the game during the first period when the team wasn’t doing much to help her. She also added that the team bounced back well in the 2nd/3rd periods but wants the team to start like that. Also, be aggressive on pick battles and pass better as well.

Deutz had 17 saves on the game. The Marshall Tigers will be back on the ice to conclude the two-day tournament tomorrow at 10 a.m