The Lady Warriors had three games this past week. They had Bemidji at home on Tuesday and then were on the road in the Cities taking on Hill Murray on Friday and at Edina on Saturday afternoon.  The girls played incredible against Bemidji, winning 14 to 0.  They had a stellar third period Friday, coming from behind to win 3 to 2 and Saturday they skated to a 1 to 1 overtime tie.

 

At home against Bemidji Lisa Marvin scored early. She deked the defenseman, shot low and snuck the puck past the goalie.

 

The play was intense in the opening period for like the first twelve minutes with the play going back and forth.  Then the bottom dropped out for the Lumber Jacks when four different Warroad girls scored.

 

Kayla Gardner (Courtney Bethune) got a short handed one. Fancesca Huerd dove down into the slot and took a pass from Marvin and one timed it into the back of the net with a thud.

 

Lynn Astrup (Mariah Gardner) and Demi Gardner (Bethune, K. Gardner) finished off the period giving their team a five goal lead going into the first break.

 

It was in the second period when the “Demi Gardner Show” started. She tallied two more goals in front of the net by cleaning up rebound shots.  

 

“It was a good night. I had a lot of energy. I kept my feet moving the whole game and it seemed like I had a lot of lucky bounces coming my way. Sierra, Mariah, and I also were moving the puck very well creating a lot chances for the three of us,” said Demi Gardner.

 

The Warrior defense was not to be outdone as Bethune (Marvin, K. Gardner) scored from the point on slap shot.   

 

Astrup then had highlight power play goal.  Marvin was up top on the umbrella and she passed the puck to Astrup on the left wing.  Lynn one timed the shot and it caught the inside of the post with a thunderous ping and richochetted in.

 

Warroad was on cruise control in the third as they were in running time.  Astrup completed the hat trick. D. Gardner (Sarah Baumann) got her 5th goal, with Kayla and Mariah Gardners each adding goals to complete the route.

 

10th grader Dani Knott was in the net for the win and faced 8 shots.  Warroad peppered two bemidji goalie’s with 42 shot.

 

 

In the Hill Murray game the Pioneers scored a goal in each of the first two periods and out shot Warroad in every period (18 to 22).  Warroad’s senior goal tender, Dayton Hilgert has been nursing an injury to her knee.

 

Hilgert commented, “I knew I couldn't let my knee get in the way this weekend, so i took it easy at practice the week before to prevent it from being worn out. With being so into the game I didn't have time to pay attention to the pain, it was just after the game when the pain really kicked in.”

 

The third period was a exciting one for Warroad as they got two goals by K. Gardner and the other by D. Gardner to snap the victory away from Hill Murray.  

 

Kayla Gardner commented, “I really enjoy playing with both of my sisters. We've been practicing together for so long that playing together just comes naturally to us.”

 

The Edina game was very intense with M. Gardner (Courtney Bethune) scoring the lone goal for Warroad in the first period.

 

“Playing teams like Hill Murray and Edina there's no way you can stop them from getting in close every time. They are both very skilled teams and I did face many shots in the slot. Fortunately, I didn't face as many as I could have potentially faced thanks to my strong defensemen. As for breakaways I believe I faced maybe one or two, other than that our girls back checked and kept themselves between the opposing team and myself,” said Hilgert.

 

The Hornets tied the game in the second period but neither team could muster a game winner despite extended overtime play.  

 

“I feel that my team had done really well this past week.  Dayton has been playing awesome and we've been able to move the puck really well. I also feel that my team needs to compete right at the drop of the puck and not have a slow start but other then that we've been pretty consistent,” said K. Gardner.

 

 

Warroad was outshot by Edina 19 to 39.

 

Hilgert also added, “This weekend we faced teams with much higher skill levels than our usual opponents. They know where to be and how to use the ice to their advantage.  I also picked up on their skill of trying to shoot the puck off my pads to give a rebound. Our team had to really acknowledge these tactics and we adjusted very well. I did my best to either freeze the puck or direct it out towards the boards.  If I happened to give a poor rebound my defense were quick to take care of it and clear the puck.”

 

Warroad now has an over all record of 5 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie.  They have a home game against Crookston on Tuesday and are at EGF on Friday.  The Pirates have a 3 and 2 record.  The Green Wave has 5 wins and 1 tie.