Tigers claw Cardinals in girls hockey opener
ALBERT LEA — Mia Fjelsta and Esther Yoon netted two goals apiece as the Albert Lea Tigers used a 51-19 shots-on-goal advantage to produce an 8-1 nonconference hockey victory over the Fairmont Area Cardinals on Tuesday night at the Albert Lea City Arena.
Freshman goaltender Hadley Artz produced a game-best 43 saves between the pipes for Fairmont Area during its season-opener.
Sophomore forward Mackenzie Householder spoiled the Tigers’ shutout bid by converting an assist from Corene Moeller into the Cardinals’ lone goal at the 14:04 juncture of the third period.
Allison Dulitz tallied the game’s initial goal with only 30 seconds remaining in the opening 17-minute period to stake Albert Lea to a 1-0 advantage on the scoreboard.
Ally Rasmussen, Lucy Stay and Fjelsta generated consecutive goals, respectively, to help the Tigers build a 4-0 lead after two completed segments.
Yoon then netted both of her goals, Fjelsta chipped in her second net-finder of the night and Katelyn Steven added a goal to cap Albert Lea’s four-goal final frame.
Fairmont Area (0-1) plays host to Mankato East at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Martin County Arena in Fairmont.
Fairmont 0-0-1–1
Albert Lea 1-3-4–8
Scoring Plays
1st Period
AL–Allison Dulitz (unassisted), 16:30.
2nd Period
AL–Ally Rasmussen (Laynee Behrends), 8:48.
AL–Lucy Stay (unassisted), 10:14.
AL–Mia Fjelsta (Katelyn Steven), 13:22.
3rd Period
AL–Esther Yoon (Behrends, Josie Venem), 3:58.
AL–Steven (unassisted), 5:12.
FA–Mackenzie Householder (Corene Moeller), 14:04.
AL–Yoon (Dulitz), PP, 15:19.
AL–Fjelsta (Steven), 16:00.
Shots on goal: Fairmont Area 5-8-6–19; Albert Lea 14-19-18–51.
Saves: Hadley Artz (FA) 43.