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Otters edge Novas 3-2 [UPDATED]
Published 10:03am Monday, November 26, 2012 Updated 12:05pm Monday, November 26, 2012An early charge and a strong defensive effort allowed the Fergus Falls girls hockey team to pick up a victory over the Minneapolis Novas 3-2 at the Otters Thanksgiving Hockey Shootout Friday.
Fergus was first to strike as Hannah Baker planted a Lauren Norgren pass into the back of the Novas net midway through the first period. Minneapolis would answer as Maggie Hortsman found Maya Lassiter and Lassiter slipped the puck past Fergus goalie Jordie Salwei.
The game became a battle as the teams traded goals once again as Megan Niblock scored an unassisted goal for the Otters, but quickly saw Novas’ Megan Fisher respond to end the opening period 2-2.
The second period saw both teams turn up their defensive efforts as the game remained scoreless until midway through the period as Fergus’ Annie Magnusson tickled the twine off passes from Niblock and Sydney Kuehl to give the Otters a one goal lead.
The teams finished out the rest of the game skating as Fergus grabbed the victory.
“The momentum changed many times throughout the game,” Otter coach Matt Koalska said. “We started the game strong, but quickly Novas turned it up a bit and both teams competed and battled. It has a hard fought third period and were fortunate to come out with the win.”
Fergus’ netminder Salwei was able to turn away 17 shots on goal, while the Otters peppered the Minneapolis goaltender with 25 shots on net.
The Otters will take on the Henry Sibley Warriors at 7 p.m. Saturday in their second game of the Thanksgiving tourney.
