Alex girls' hockey: Cards take down CLC leader Sartell

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After drawing first blood against the Central Lakes Conference leader, the Cardinal girls’ hockey team had to dig deep, getting just what they needed from Shelby Iverson, who scored the game-winner and gave Alexandria a 2-1 win over the previously undefeated Stormin’ Sabres Thursday night.

“[It was] the biggest game of the year so far,” said head coach Andy Shriver. “The Stormin’ Sabres were flying in the first period, forcing the Cards to play tough defense with their backs to the goal for most of the period, and establishing a 7-0 shot advantage before the Cards were able to put their first shot on goal.”

Alexandria killed two penalties in that first period as well, but came roaring back.

“With two minutes left in the first period, Hanah Hansen won the face-off, with Kaila Dewanz and Mari Wosepka crashing the net,” said the coach. “When the snow and ice chips settled, Nicole Bartels had scored and the Cards found themselves with a 1-0 lead at the break.”

Dewanz and Hansen assisted on the Bartels goal.

Alexandria found its offensive legs in the second period, pounding the Stormin’ Sabre goalie, Erin Deters, with 22 shots.

“The intensity and confidence was unprecedented, and, despite a goal by Sartell at the 13:28 mark, the Cards were in control.

“With 4:55 to play in the second, Shelby Iverson backhanded a Becca Illies pass past the second best goalie in the conference.”

That goal, which started on a feed from Bartels, gave Alexandria a 2-1 lead, and proved to be the game winner for the Cardinals, who improved to 7-1-2 in the conference and 11-5-2 overall, while Sartell-Sauk Rapids fell to 8-1-1 in league play, and 11-6-2 overall.

“The third period was an exhibition of incredible hockey, exactly what you’d hope and expect in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 late season matchup,” said Shriver.

Cardinal freshman goalie Amy Jost blocked 24 of 25 shots sent her way. She is the No. 6 ranked goalie in the state in goals against average at 1.20, and is seventh in save percentage at .943.

Jost leads Deters in the conference with a .943 save percentage, while Deters is second at .937.

Alexandria will be at Willmar tomorrow, Thursday.

ALEXANDRIA 2, SARTELL-SR 1

SARTELL 0 1 0 — 1

ALEXANDRIA 1 1 0 — 2

FIRST PERIOD

ALEX – Nicole Bartels (Kaila Dewanz, Hanah Hansen) 15:01.

SECOND PERIOD

SSR – Kendra Christiansen (Lexi Holman, Sarah Kaschmitter) 3:32, ALEX – Shelby Iverson (Becca Illies, Nicole Bartels) 12:05.

THIRD PERIOD

No scoring.

SHOTS ON GOAL – Sartell/Sauk Rapids 14-3-8—25, Alexandria 9-22-8—39.

GOALIE SAVES – Erin Deters, SSR, 37; Amy Jost, Alex, 24.

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, hockey