12U girls capture consolation title at state tourney
Youth Hockey
Lightning players include, front row from left, Hannah Erickson, Mariah Reed, Madison Galligan, Stacy Nelson (Cloquet alternate goalie) and Katie Schrock; middle row, Carly Fyle, Alexis Danielson, Mikaela Florey, Britta Bittner, Brittney Knox, Isabella Abear, Allie Olson, Hannah Zimmerman, Megan Snyder and Stephanie DeGrote; back row, coaches Kip Abear, Scott Snyder, Jenna Crawford and Jamie Reed.
The Northern Lakes Lightning 12-under girls' hockey team won the consolation title at the State B tournament March 19-21 in Warroad.
The Lightning, representing the Pequot Lakes Youth Hockey Association, suffered their first loss of the season in the tournament opener on Friday, March 19, as they fell to Chisago Lakes 4-0.
"We outshot (Chisago Lakes) 24-11, but we just didn't have any puck luck," said coach Scott Snyder, whose team is 42-1 overall. "Their goalie was phenomenal. I hear that's the best she looked all year. She dominated the entire game."
Northern Lakes pulled its goaltender late in the game in an effort to gain an offensive spark, according to Snyder. But Chisago Lakes responded with an empty-net goal to make it 4-0.
"The girls took the loss hard," Snyder said, "but they bounced back in the tournament."
The Lightning bounced back with a 3-2 win over Red Wing in the consolation semifinals.
"We were leading 3-1 when (Red Wing) got a goal with one minute left," Snyder said. "The shots were also lopsided (in favor of Northern Lakes), but they had a good goalie."
Northern Lakes then defeated Woodbury 4-0 in the consolation final as Hannah Erickson scored twice and Megan Snyder and Mikaela Florey each added a goal. Florey, Mariah Reed and Hannah Zimmerman each had assists for the Lightning.
"It was a nice win," said Snyder, whose team enjoyed a 26-6 edge in shots. "We finished the year on a high note."
Champlin Park edged Chisago Lakes 1-0 in the championship game.
"(State) was a really great experience for the players, parents and coaches," Snyder said. "It's something we will never forget."
