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New Ulm ties Orono in scoreless bout

Staff photo by Steve Muscatello New Ulm’s Caleigh Heck keeps the puck inside the offensive zone despite pressure from Emma Sternberg of Orono on Saturday at the New Ulm Civic Center. For more photos of this event go to cu.nujournal.com

By Jeremy Reinarts

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM– The New Ulm girls’ hockey team faced off against Orono on Saturday night, ending in a 0-0 tie. The Eagles are 2-2-2 in the section while Orono holds a 2-1-2 record.

“This is a huge section opponent that we played here tonight. We wish we would have won but at any rate we will take a tie here,” coach Kristin Faber said.

Faber added that this was the teams’ last section opponent is looking at other section games as the season winds down.

New Ulm (13-2-4) was given a power-play opportunity with 8:38 left in the first period, failing to get quality shots during the player advantage.

“We stressed to the girls to get the puck on net, we have to find away to score in some opportunities as we knew they had a fundamentally sound goalie,” Faber said about the Eagles’ scoring chances during the game.

At the 12:15 mark in the first, Madeline Gag was penalized for cross-checking, giving the advantage to Orono (4-10-2). Special teams continued to be a strong key for the Eagles as they successfully defended the penalty kill.

Karlie Ries had six saves, while the Eagles put seven quality shots on net during the first.

Dani Weiss opened the second period as she found herself alone on a breakaway for the Eagles. Weiss’ shot was stopped on the stick side of Orono’s goalie as the defensive effort recovered from the mistake.

With 6:19 left in the second, Ries was challenged with 1-on-0 breakaway after Emma Sternberg of Orono split the New Ulm defensemen.

“You have to keep focused the whole time,” Reis said. “The team in front of me is helping me out, I have to rely on them and on my abilities.”

Reis continued to stay strong as she tallied 10 saves in the second period while New Ulm recorded six shots on goal.

Fast-yet-physical play continued into the third period as both teams dug to break the 0-0 score. The Eagles greatly improved their neutral zone play not giving up costly turnovers, as their offensive attack began to spark new life for them.

“Turnovers we just can’t have, those are mistakes that we need to clean up,” Faber said.

The Eagles found themselves in a dreaded position when Mackenzie Depew was assessed a tripping penalty after a long shift. The penalty was assessed with 2:42 left to play in regulation.

Reis stopped six shots in the third, ending the night with a four period total of 33.

New Ulm will host Worthington/Fulda at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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