Extra motivation isn’t needed for Hill-Murray when facing a conference opponent. The Pioneers are undefeated with three wins in the Metro East.
Hill-Murray (6-4, 3-0) has won three of its last four games and is on a two-game winning streak after a 5-1 win over Mahtomedi (7-3-1, 3-1-1) on Friday night at the St. Croix Rec Center in Stillwater.
Before its recent run of success, Hill-Murray, ranked No. 10 in the Class 2A coaches’ poll, had lost three consecutive games.
Senior forward Katie Kaufman said the Pioneers recently started a new tradition.
Katie Kaufman had a goal and two assists, inspiring Hill-Murray to a dominating 5-1 win against Mahtomedi at the St. Croix Rec Center in Stillwater on Friday night.
Mahtomedi (7-3-1, 3-1-1) got off to a quick start with a goal in the first two minutes from forward Abby Hansen. She received an assist from defender Emma Dornseif.
Katie Kaufman set up Haylee Blinkhorn two minutes later, tying the game for Hill-Murray (6-4, 3-0).
The Pioneers recorded six more shots in the opening period, but couldn’t get another puck past Mahtomedi goalie Lauren Hamme. The Zephyrs, meanwhile, managed just two shots on net for the period.
The Pioneers, ranked No. 10 in the Class 2A coaches’ poll, and the No. 9-1A Zephyrs were closely contested in the second period until Hill-Murray started to pull away. Nina Steigauf converted a chance made from Allie Franco to give the Pioneers their first lead of the game about halfway through the second period.
Hill-Murray broke down Mahtomedi’s defense again just before the second intermission, as Kaufman snuck a shot past Hamme.
In the third period, the Pioneers scored twice more, off the stick of Blinkhorn, for her second score, and Alex Belde, to ensure their victory against their Metro East Conference rival.
The MN Girls' Hockey Hub poll is for entertainment purposes only.