Surging Winona holds off Albert Lea girls’ hockey

Published 2:15 am Wednesday, January 27, 2010

In an up-and-down season the Albert Lea girls’ hockey team has found itself on the down side lately with just one victory to show in its last five contests entering Tuesday’s game with Winona at City Arena.

With five games left in the regular season the Tigers searched for some traction heading in to the end of the season, but against a surging Winhawks team they wouldn’t find it.

Winona (10-7) won its sixth consecutive game with a 4-2 victory over the Albert Lea and continued the Tigers recent woes.

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Albert Lea (7-11-1) tallied just 22 shots and two goals as it failed to generate much offense once again.

Carly Moran recorded two goals, including the game-winner at 7:12 of the third period to keep the Winhawks surging.

Monica Sanivik put Winona up 1-0 in the first period on an assist from Moran and the Winhawks extended the lead to 2-0 in the third period with Moran’s first goal of the game.

The Tigers cut the deficit in half twice but that’s as close as they got.

Lauren Draayer scored at 6:19 in the third to make it 2-1 but Moran’s second tally of the game gave Winona some breathing room before another Albert Lea comeback.

Mariah Leach’s shorthanded goal at 9:09 cut the lead to one again, but Lauren Borkowski scored a shorthanded goal at 16:49 to ice the game and hand the Tigers their third consecutive loss.

The three-game losing streak couldn’t come at a worse time for Albert Lea, which plays 13th-ranked Faribault, a section opponent, Thursday in Faribault.

The Tigers will need to play with a sense of urgency the rest of the way.

“If we aren’t where we want to be physically and mentally, it’s gonna be tough to make past the first round of sections,” said Albert Lea head coach Brian Blatti.

Winona 4, Albert Lea 2

Winona 1 0 3 — 4

Albert Lea 0 0 2 — 2

First Period—1, Winona, Monica Sanvik (Carly Moran), 1:16. Penalties— Tasah Skogebo, Win (tripping),7:29; Sophia Jepson, Alb (tripping), 3:43.

Second Period—None. Penalties—Lauren Drayyer, Alb (interference), 12:43; Megan Pulley, Alb (hooking), 8:21; Autumn Hayes, Win (too many men), 6:22; Anna Anderson, Alb (tripping), 2:20.

Third Period—2, Winona, Carly Moran (Monica Sanvik), 3:28. 3. Albert Lea, Lauren Drayyer (Anna Anderson, Sophia Jepson), 6:19. 4, Winona, Carly Moran, 7:12. 5, Albert Lea, Mariah Leach (Tasha Moyer), 9:09 (sh.). 6, Winona, Lauren Borkowski, 16:49 (sh.). Penalties — Lauren Klick, Alb (cross-checking), 13:15; Madi Passingham, Alb (checking), 8:51; Autumn Hayes, Win (head contact), 1:36; Lauren Drayyer, Alb (interference), :09.

Shots on Goal—Winona 8-10-12—30. Albert Lea 8-5-9—22.

Power-play opportunities—Winona 0 for 7; Albert Lea 0 of 4.

Goalies— Albert Lea, Sydney Conley (30 shots-26 saves). Winona (22 shots-20 saves.)