Austin Packers girls hockey edges Windom Area 2-1 Tuesday evening

The Austin Packers girls’ hockey team was looking for its fourth win in a row at Riverside Arena Tuesday evening versus the Windom Area Eagles in a non-conference matchup, and freshman Brenna Haedt’s even-strength goal in the third period, her first of the season was just enough to push the Packers past the Eagles 2-1 for the second time this season.

Windom’s Ellyson Bang opened the scoring at 15:13 of the first period to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead, but Austin’s Kate Holtz tied the game at one with a power play goal, her team-leading 17th of the season at 7:13 of the second period, with an assist to defensman Samantha Krueger, her fourth of the year.  The game remained tied until 5:03 of the third period when Haedt tallied the eventual game-winner, with assists to A.J. Barrera, her third of the season and to Camille Dunlap, also her third of the year to put Austin in front 2-1.  Netminder Kyia Radford-Garcia and the Packers defense did the rest down the stretch to give Austin the win.

The Packers, who were 1 for 2 on the power play outshot the Eagles in the game 34-21, with Radford-Garcia turning away 20 shots for the win between the pipes, and Windom Area goalie Kaylie Baerg made 32 saves in taking the loss.

With the win, Austin moves above .500 on the season with a record of 7-6, and the Packers are back on the ice in Winona Thursday evening versus the Winhawks in a Big 9 Conference and Section 1A matchup, with puck drop at 7:15 p.m.