Austin Packers girls’ hockey falls to Mankato East 3-1 Tuesday evening

The Austin Packers girls’ hockey team was looking to get back on the winning track at All Seasons Arena in Mankato Tuesday evening versus the East Cougars in a Big 9 Conference matchup, but an even-strength goal from the Cougars’ Christine Kim in the first period proved to be the eventual game-winner as the Cougars downed the Packers 3-1.

Kailey Newton scored only :10 into the game to quickly put East on top 1-0, and Kim’s goal at 6:26 of the period, with an assist to Ashley Fischer made the score 2-0 Mankato East.  Jaden Hauge made the score 3-0 Cougars at 6:23 of the second period with an assist to Newton, who had two points in the game.  Austin’s Sara Wangen tallied the lone goal for the Packers at 16:25 of the period, her third of the young season for the 3-1 final.

Austin was 0-3 on the power play, while Mankato East was 0-2.  Packers goalkeeper Kyia Radford-Garcia made 23 saves in facing 26 shots, while Cougar netminder Anna Rader turned aside 22 of the 23 shots she faced for the win.

Austin is now 1-2 in the Big 9 Conference and 2-2 overall on the season.  The Packers are back into action on home ice Thursday night as they play host to 6-1 Northfield at Riverside Arena.  You’ll hear the game live to open the winter sports season on AM 1480 KAUS, with the pre-game show on the air at 6:50 p.m., and face-off at 7:00 p.m.