The No. 3-seeded Northern Lakes Lightning girls’ hockey team was defeated by the No. 2 Fergus Falls Otters 3-1 in the Section 6A semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 12.
Northern Lakes’ Kaylyn Eggena scored, assisted by Mariah Reed, at 6:15 of the first period. The Otters tied it 1-1 in the second period on a goal by Annie Magnusson. Fergus Falls then iced the victory with a pair of goals just 1:42 apart early in the third period as Sydney Kuehl and Lauren Norgren scored.
Lightning goaltender Kat Jensen had 25 saves while winning netminder Jordie Salwei stopped 27 shots.
“The score does not dictate the way we played as a team,” said Northern Lakes coach Kristin Harsha. “We played very well and the shots were very close. We could not stay out of the penalty box and that’s what really hurt us.”
The Lightning finish the season 13-12 overall while Fergus Falls advanced to the section final where it lost to Alexandria 2-1 in overtime on Friday, Feb. 15. The Cardinals advance to the state tournament after defending their section title.
“Overall, our coaching staff is pleased with our season,” Harsha said. “We had some ups and downs, but I would say (the season) was successful. We will miss our seniors who will be graduating. They have contributed so much to this program, and most of them started playing when the girls’ program first started.”
Northern Lakes had lost to the Otters 4-2 on Dec. 6.
Fergus Falls s0 1 2 — 3
Northern Lakes 1 0 0 — 1
First period: NL-Kaylyn Eggena (Mariah Reed) 6:15
Second period: FF-Annie Magnusson (Megan Niblock) 13:12
Third period: FF-Sydney Kuehl (Magnusson) 3:42; FF-Lauren Norgren (Megan Odland) 5:24
Shots on goal: NL 28, FF 28
Goalies: NL-Kat Jensen (25 saves); FF-Jordie Salwei (27 saves)
