West comes on late to beat Albert Lea

By Nick Gerhardt | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The Albert Lea girls’ hockey team struggled to put away its chance Tuesday night against Mankato West in a 3-1 loss at Mankato.

Tigers head coach Brian Blatti said his team had opportunities to score but could finish any of its chances. Albert Lea had 23 shots in the game and the Scarlets had 30.

“We had opportunities to put the puck in the net,” Blatti said. “Mankato has a very good defense and was able to push us off the puck.”

The Tigers scored the first goal of the game 5 minutes, 12 seconds into the first period as Lauren Klick tallied her fourth goal of the season.

The Scarlets answered back at the 10:09 mark as Katy Kvasnicka scored the first of her two goals in the game. Kvasnicka added her second goal 2:51 into the second period and linemate Alyssa Black put the game away with a goal at the 8:17 mark of the third period.

Blatti said the game was evenly matched for the majority of the game, but Albert Lea much of the game on the penalty kill. Mankato West went on the power play seven times in the game. The Tigers didn’t yield a power play goal, but playing a skater short hurt their chances on offense.

Blatti said the game was an improvement from the season-opening 6-3 loss to Northfield, but the Scarlets’ speed got Albert Lea in trouble.

“They had some very quick gals out there that kind of caught us off guard on the transition,” Blatti said.

Despite the slow start Blatti says the Tigers are progressing nicely.

“We’re always stepping forward,” he said. “We’re learning as we go. We’re in pretty good shape despite the record.”

MW 3, AL 1

AL 1 0 0 — 1

MW 1 1 1 — 3

1st period

AL — Lauren Klick (Amy Gackstetter) 5:12

MW — Katy Kvasnicka (Alyssa Black, Amber Oachs) 10:09

2nd period

MW — Kvasnicka (Black) 2:51

3rd period

MW — Black (Amber Ostoff, Kvasnicka) 8:17

POWER PLAY CONVERSION: AL — 0 for 5, MW — 0 for 7

SHOTS ON GOAL: AL — 23, MW — 30