Staff Photo by Jake Olson: Fairmont's Alexis Haycraft looks to score during the final period of Tuesday night's contest against Worthington at Martin County Arena. Haycraft finished the game with two goals and three assists, fueling an 8-1 Cardinal victory.

FAIRMONT – Fairmont girls hockey head coach Aaron Haycraft wanted to send a message to his team heading into Tuesday night’s first intermission against Worthington. Despite a Kynlee Beemer power play goal giving the Cardinals a 1-0 cushion, coach Haycraft challenged to be even crisper the rest of the contest.

Fairmont responded by playing textbook hockey the remaining two periods, scoring seven goals on 31 shots to outduel the Trojans 8-1 at Martin County Arena.

“Overall, really happy with how they played, they did a fantastic job working together,” coach Haycraft said. “It was good to see them bounce back after a slow start. That’s going to happen, but they picked it up and motivated each other to kick it into gear.”

Puck possession was controlled heavily by Fairmont in the opening period of the night. However, even with 20 shots on goal, the Cardinals only found themselves up one when the intermission buzzer sounded. Coach Haycraft emphasized that while his team controlled the puck in the offensive zone, they needed to shoot with more intent than before.

“One thing we talked about in between the first and second period was that they [pucks] weren’t going to the net with a purpose. We weren’t shooting or following up with a purpose,” coach Haycraft said. “They were getting to the net definitely, a big control time, but we just wanted a little more intent with the shot.”

That intent was found with 11 minutes to play in the second period. Joslyn Meyer found Mariel Parish at center ice for a quick slap shot score that got things going. Alexis Haycraft found her way in the scoring column for her first goal of the night two minutes later, instantly doubling the first period point total.

Carly Gustafson finished the scoring surge two minutes later after ramming the puck in between a clustered net until the buzzer indicated a goal.

​”They cleaned it up in the second period,” coach Haycraft said. “They came out there and fired that thing [puck] with a purpose. We saw the result there in the back of the net.”

​The Trojans temporarily silenced the crowd with a score of their own with five minutes to play in the second period. Chloe Joens caught the puck in the neutral zone with nothing but open ice in front, weaving the shot to put her team down 4-1.

​Fairmont responded with one last score before the third period started. Beemer challenged Worthington goalkeeper Macie Mahlberg yet again after gliding by the net from the left side, squeezing the puck past the padding for her second score of the night.

​The Cardinals continued their momentum in the early portion of the third period with a textbook goal during the opening minute. Alexis Haycraft found Lauren Bettin in front of the net to capitalize on a fast break opportunity. Meyer and Alexis Haycraft tacked on two more scores during the final three minutes of the game to balloon the lead to 8-1.

“We just kept talking about finishing that play,” coach Haycraft said. “You’re there, you’re making plays and reads out there to get the puck into those high scoring chance areas, and our shooters were finishing.”

​Fairmont (8-5-2) will travel to Marshall this Thursday to take on the Tigers at Marshall Red Baron Arena, starting at 7 p.m.