TAKEAWAY — Fairmont Area’s Jozie Hoefker (7) collects the loose puck after Cardinal teammate Karissa Newville swiped it away from Mankato West’s Marleigh Jordan (red jersey) during nonconference hockey action Tuesday night at Martin County Arena in Fairmont. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — Defense, defense and a little more defense got the Fairmont Area Cardinal girls hockey team back in the win column.

Senior netminder Hadley Artz proved perfect between the pipes in denying all 19 of Mankato West’s shots on goal, while junior forward Karissa Newville produced the nonconference battle’s only goal to pace Fairmont Area’s 1-0 victory over the Scarlets at Martin County Arena on Tuesday night.

After Artz and Mankato West goaltender Alayna Smith each pitched shutouts during the icy clash’s first two 17-minute periods, Newville stuffed home a rebound near the doorstep for a twine-finder 1:23 into the third segment for a 1-0 Cardinals’ lead. Hannah Goerndt and Abi Sundeen combined for the double-assist on the game-winning goal.

Artz turned away three Scarlet shots in the opening period, six more in the second and 10 during the third to earn the shutout.

Smith recorded a game-best 28 saves for West.

The Scarlets and Cardinals battled to a 4-all tie during their first meeting of the regular season on Nov. 26 at All Seasons Arena.

Fairmont Area (4-7-2) travels to Marshall on Thursday night.

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Boys Hockey

Fairmont Area 6, Minnesota River 5 (OT) — The Cardinals needed overtime, but extended their winning streak to four consecutive games with a 6-5 Big South Conference decision over the host Bulldogs on Tuesday night in Le Sueur.

Hartley Aust smacked home the game-winner off an assist from Brock Lutterman with 5:09 remaining in the extra session to convert the late power-play opportunity in style.

Aust, who finished with two goals and one assist, staked the Cardinals to a 5-3 to open the third period before the Bulldogs scored twice to force overtime. Aust converted a double-assist from Tyler Kurt and Lincoln Becker into his first goal of the game.

Jace Teveldal, Lutterman and Luke Kester built a quick 3-0 first-period lead for Fairmont Area before Minnesota River matched the visitors’ offensive production.

Teveldal converted the first of Nate Rakness’ two assists into a game-opening power-play goal with 13:07 remaining on the scoreboard.

Lutterman then cashed in a double-assist from Aust and Kurt to double the Cardinals’ margin to 2-0 with 11:15 remaining in the first frame.

Kester then found the net by taking a setup pass from Rakness and beating the Bulldog netminder with 3:35 remaining in the first.

Rakness then lit the lamp with a blast off a pass from Mathew Cone to account for the Cardinals’ only goal of the second period.

Fairmont Area goalkeeper Carson Johnson generated a game-best 44 saves to earn the victory.

Fairmont Area (4-6) hosts Marshall on Thursday night at Martin County Arena.