St. Paul/Two Rivers clinched a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Hastings. The game was characterized by strategic power plays, disciplined defense, and a dramatic finish in overtime.
Hastings opened the scoring in the first period with a short-handed goal from Addie Seleski, showcasing their ability to capitalize on a disadvantageous situation. Despite this early lead, St. Paul/Two Rivers remained undeterred, matching Hastings in shots and maintaining pressure.
The second period saw St. Paul/Two Rivers level the score with a power-play goal by Lilly Leitner, assisted by Ella Johnson and Mia Cheesebrough. This goal demonstrated St. Paul/Two Rivers’ ability to utilize their power play opportunities effectively.
The third period was a tense affair with no additional scoring, despite both teams’ efforts. The defenses held strong, leading to a deadlock that extended the game into overtime.
In overtime, St. Paul/Two Rivers’ Edy Halverson emerged as the hero, scoring the game-winning goal with an assist from Kate Reubish. This goal capped off a resilient comeback and secured a hard-fought victory for St. Paul/Two Rivers.
Throughout the game, power plays played a significant role. Hastings had two power-play opportunities but did not convert, while St. Paul/Two Rivers capitalized on one of their five chances. The shot count was nearly even, with St. Paul/Two Rivers taking 33 shots to Hastings’ 30, indicating a closely matched offensive effort from both teams.
Penalties were more frequent for Hastings, who incurred 10 minutes on 5 infractions, compared to St. Paul/Two Rivers’ 4 minutes on 2 infractions. The disciplined play of St. Paul/Two Rivers and their ability to take advantage of power plays were key factors in their victory.
