Albert Lea finds success on ice

Published 9:00 am Sunday, December 13, 2015

The Albert Lea U12B girls’ hockey team poses with a trophy after finishing third at the Hastings Invitational, a tournament that spanned Dec. 5 and 6. Front row is Emma Piechowski. Middle row from left are Alli Dulitz, Josie Venem, Hannah Adams, Jaiden Venem and Lucy Stay. Back row from left are Katie Uthke, Emilee Schmitt, Esther Yoon and Taylor Stanek. Malana Thompson is not pictured. – Provided

The Albert Lea U12B girls’ hockey team began the 2015-2016 season with success, according to a press release.

In the team’s first league game Nov. 1 against St. Peter/Le Sueur, Albert Lea won 7-3.

Highlights of the game included the first hat trick of Josie Venem’s career and Lucy Stay netting her first career goal.

Albert Lea traveled to Austin on Nov. 19 and won 5-1. Taylor Stanek led the scoring with a hat trick. Albert Lea kept play in the offensive zone for the majority of the game, recording 32 shots on goal.

The team’s season continued Nov. 21 and 22 at the Mankato Invitational.

Highlights of the tournament were a 5-4 victory over Chaska/Chanhassen. Jaiden Venem led Albert Lea with two goals from her defensive position, and she scored the game-winner late in the third period. Esther Yoon claimed Player of the Game honors twice with her hard work and team play during the tournament.

Next was a home game on Nov. 29 against Waseca. Albert Lea won 7-0. Emma Piechowski was in the goal to record the shutout. Katie Uthke helped in the effort with aggressive play and has scored four goals this season.

In recent action, the team placed third on Dec. 5 and 6 at the Hastings Invitational.

In the first game, Albert Lea skated to a 1-1 tie with Cottage Grove. Next, Albert Lea lost 5-1 against Dodge County. The team skated hard against Dodge County, a team that scored three late goals. Hannah Adams recorded the first goal of the game with a strong shot that deflected off a defender’s stick past the goalie.

In the third-place game, Albert Lea beat Mahtomedi 5-1. Alli Dulitz led the team with hard work moving the puck into the offensive zone to produce scoring opportunities. She had one goal and two assists in the game. Emilee Schmitt had a great weekend getting involved in many of the offensive rushes and had an assist on Dulitz’s goal.

The team would like to send out best wishes to Malana Thompson, who was injured in a game. The team hopes for Thompson’s speedy recovery and return to the team.

Albert Lea has a 5-5-2 record.

After hosting Red Wing Saturday, Albert Lea will host Owatonna at 1:30 p.m. today at Albert Lea City Arena.