After playing hockey year-round, Erica Hanson decided last summer she was going to change up her conditioning routine.

The senior goalie went out for the Centennial cross-country team. What ensued, however, was not what she expected. The running took a toll on her knees, forcing her to miss the first three hockey games of the season.

The time off, however, gave Hanson a different perspective on playing goal, and it paid off when she returned. In her first three games back, she gave up only one goal, stopping 86 of 87 shots. Last week she shut out Armstrong 3-0 and gave up only one goal in a 3-1 victory over Hopkins.

"Being out helped me to see things a little differently," Hanson said. "I feel like I can understand the game better. I've started controlling a lot more rebounds.

"I didn't feel 100 percent in the first game. I didn't expect myself to do as well as I did. I don't think anybody else did, either."

While she was pleased with shutting out the first two opponents she faced this season, it was the victory over Hopkins that was the most satisfying.

"I was so excited for that game," Hanson said. "They've beaten us two years in a row. That one felt great."