Spartan girls off to slow start

By Ken Olson

kolson@superiortelegram.com

The Superior High School girls hockey team stumbled out of gate to begin the 2012-13 season with a pair of losses on the weekend.

The Spartans opened the season with a 3-1 loss to the Bay Area Ice Bears Friday night at the Chippewa Falls Ice Arena, then fell to 0-2 with a 4-3 loss to the Eau Claire-Altoona Stars Saturday afternoon at the Superior Ice Arena.

The Spartans led 2-1 after the first period on Saturday, but ECA scored three goals in the second period for a 4-2 lead.

Superior made things interesting with Amanda Hinaus’ goal with 2:45 remaining in the third period.

The Spartans used a timeout with 28.2 seconds remaining but were unable to pull their goalie for an extra attacker and never mounted any serious scoring chances.

Ellie Fadness scored ECA’s first two goals, her first just 2:31 into the game.

Superior tied it up 32 seconds later when Ari Jago scored with an assist from Sadey Laurvick.

After killing off back-to-back penalties, including a 5-on-3 disadvantage for 27 seconds, Superior took a 2-1 lead on Laurvick’s power-play goal at 15:43. Paige Gilbertson assisted on the freshman’s second goal of the season.

ECA dominated the second period starting with Fadness’ power-play goal at 1:28. Camilee Herzog then knocked home the rebound after a Mikayla Otto shot at 10:48 and Vanessa Swenby turned a Spartan turnover into an unassisted goal at 15:12.

The Spartans had their chances early in the third period, but failed on two power plays.

Payton Michaud had 21 saves for Superior and Jordyn Bunce had 18 stops for the Stars.

The Spartans host Silver Bay at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29.

Friday’s game

All four goals Friday night were scored in the first period, including the first goal by the Ice Bears, based in Green Bay.

Trailing 1-0, Laurvick scored with assists from Devyn Moss and Amanda Hinaus at 4:17.

The Ice Bears scored again at 12:342 and 14:22.

“We came out flat in the first period and just didn’t really move our feet well at all,” SHS coach Ernie Harker said.

Payton Michaud got the start in net for the Spartans, finishing with 23 saves. Superior put 18 shots on the Green Bay net.

“Our second period was much improved but still not at our best,” Harker said. “We regrouped for the third period, changing up some line combos, and came out fast and kept a high-pace tempo. We looked much better and had some great scoring chances but just couldn’t capitalize.

“If we had played all three periods like we did the third I think the outcome would have been different.”

Superior was called for four minor penalties and Green Bay two.

Saturday’s Game

Eau Claire-Altoona 1-3-0—4

Superior 2-0-1—3

First Period: 1. ECA, Ellie Fadness (Bobbie Schultz), 2:31. 2. SHS, Ari Jago 1 (Sadey Laurvick 1), 3:30. 3. SHS, Laurvick 2 (Paige Gilbertson 1), 15:43 (pp).

Second Period: 4. ECA, Fadness, 1:29 (pp). 5. ECA, Camille Herzog (Mikayla Otto), 10:48. 6. ECA, Vanessa Swenby, 15:12.

Third Period: Amanda Hinaus 1 (Gilbertson 2), 14:15.

Saves: Jordyn Bunce, ECA 6-7-5—18. Payton Michaud, SHS 7-8-6—21.

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