With the temperatures in the 20s and the snow falling outside of the St. Croix Rec Center on Thursday, it felt like hockey season was in full swing. But inside the arena, two teams were still brushing off that early season rust.
While there were plenty of mistakes and penalties, Stillwater and Mahtomedi played a thrilling season opener. In the end, the Ponies came out on top as sophomore forward Morgan Wohlers scored in overtime to secure a 4-3 victory.
After giving up a 3-1 lead in the third period, Stillwater knocked off Mahtomedi 4-3 on Thursday when sophomore forward Morgan Wohlers scored more than four minutes into overtime at St. Croix Rec Center.
The Zephyrs (0-1) jumped out to an early lead as senior forward Gabby Franco scored on a tip-in to tally Mahtomedi’s first goal of the season.
Stillwater (1-0) countered with a pair of goals. Junior forward Haley Eder-Zdechlik tied the game 1-1 on a wild rush in front of the net with Zephyr goaltender Lauren Hamme on the ground. Lexi Huber added another goal six minutes later. Hamme finished with 30 saves.
The Ponies extended their lead early in the third period when junior forward Lauren Einan scored to make it 3-1.
But that lead wouldn’t last. Mahtomedi score a pair of goals 1:04 apart to even the game at 3. Senior forward Abby Hansen scored the first goal and senior forward Kylie Krawczyk followed with her own on a breakaway.
After fending off a Zephyr push in overtime, Wohlers scored for Stillwater. Stillwater junior goaltender Grace Roeske finished the game with 26 saves.
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