Girls' hockey: Redbirds edge MBA 3-2

• Anez

Echo Press photo by Arlan Anderson Michelle Anez (23) had to hold off an opponent during Alexandria’s first game of the season against Detroit Lakes. Anez had one of Alexandria’s three goals against Morris/Benson Area Saturday. The Cardinals will be in Grand Rapids today and tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, for their first tournament action of the season.

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The Cardinal girls’ hockey team used its offense to break out to an early lead before holding on with its defense in the final period of a 3-2 win over Morris-Benson Area on Saturday night.

Alexandria had three first-goals and that was just enough to hold on in the end.

Beth Rindy and Michelle Anez each scored within the first seven minutes of the game to give their team a 2-0 lead early. The Storm’s Emily Rajewsky answered back only two minutes later, but Shelby Iverson pushed the Cardinals’ lead back to two with a goal at the 12:35 mark in the first period.

That is all the offense that Alexandria could find on the night, but it was enough thanks to another solid effort by freshman goaltender Stephanie Drown and her defense. Drown followed up her debut with 26 saves on the night.

Shots were almost equal with the Cardinals having the slight edge 29-28 when the final buzzer rang. None of those shots resulted in goals in the second period. The Storm made things interesting with a goal only two minutes into the third to make it a 3-2 game.

That is all the Alex defense would give, though, as the Cardinals held on for their second win in as many games this season.

Up next is the biggest test of the season so far with a game against Grand Rapids-Greenway. The Lightning came into the season as the No. 6 ranked team in the Class AA polls after losing in the state championship last season.

They will be looking to get back on the winning track after dropping their first game of the season on Saturday, a 3-2 loss to No. 3 ranked Roseville. The Lightning welcome the Cardinals to town tonight, Friday, for a 7:30 showdown.

GAME STATISTICS

ALEXANDRIA 3-0-0 – 3

MORRIS AREA 1-0-1 – 2

ALEXANDRIA LEADERS – Claire Illies – 1 assist; Michelle Anez – 1 goal; Beth Rindy – 1 goal; Allyson Nielsen – 1 assist; Alyssa Haugen – 1 assist; Shelby Iverson – 1 goal

GOALTENDING – Stephanie Drown – 26 saves, 2 goals allowed

Tags: girls, hockey, alexandria, cardinals, morris, benson, area