New Richmond girls hockey looks for more offense; Thursday's game postponed
After scoring nine goals in the first two games of the season, it looked like the New Richmond girls hockey team was going to be a formidable offensive team this season.
- Siera Myer
After scoring nine goals in the first two games of the season, it looked like the New Richmond girls hockey team was going to be a formidable offensive team this season.
Since then, the Tigers’ scoring has slowed to a trickle. They’ve scored six goals in their past five games, including losses in their last four games.
The Tigers lost to a pair of state-ranked teams last week. They couldn’t beat the goalie in last Tuesday’s game at Eau Claire, losing 2-0. On Thursday the Tigers hosted the St. Croix Valley Fusion, losing 5-1.
Eau Claire was ranked sixth in the state last week and the Fusion was ranked seventh.
Tuesday’s game at Eau Claire was a scoreless battle until the third period. Tiger coach Emily Dabrowski said her team skated well during the game, getting the puck where it needed to be in the offensive zone.
“We had opportunities, we just couldn’t find the handle on the puck,” Dabrowski said.
The problem was the same against the Fusion. Through the first half of the game the Tigers skated right with the Fusion. But when the Tigers got the puck into promising positions, they showed a tendency to mishandle the puck.
Dabrowski said the team is working on puck handling in every practice. She said the girls are frustrated by the bad luck they’ve had handling the puck and they recognize this is preventing them from capitalizing on their chances.
The Tigers trailed the Fusion 1-0 after the first period and the Fusion got two goals from Sally Cranston in the second period. The score was 5-0 before New Richmond senior Emilee Wolf scored with three minutes left in the game, off assists from Alli Wielinski and Shelby Rolland.
In both games last week, the Tigers played without one of their top defensemen, junior Ashley Dusek. The coaches inserted freshman Shawnee Gremore into Dusek’s spot in the defensive tandem with senior Tiffany Olek and were pleased with the result. The coaches are hoping Dusek can return to the lineup this week from her ankle injury.
In the next few weeks the Tigers will get familiar with the path between New Richmond and Rochester, Minn. The Tigers play at Rochester Century High School this Thursday. On Dec. 27-29, the Tigers will be playing in the annual Rochester holiday tournament.
New Richmond's game at Rochester Century scheduled for this Thursday has been postponed. The game has been rescheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31.
Tags: sports, tigers, hockey, prep
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