Muskie girls open season with split

The Muskie girls’ hockey team got its NorWOSSA season underway last week with a shootout win over the Dryden Eagles here on Tuesday followed by a loss to the host Kenora Broncos on Thursday.
“Both games, we felt that we carried the play to the other team, we just didn’t finish our chances,” Muskie head coach Lynn Kellar said. “All three of our lines are creating their chances. . . .
“I’m quite happy with the kids’ play so far,” he added.
The girls opened their season with a 3-2 win against the Eagles that was decided in a best-of-five shootout.
Muskie goalie Katie Stearns stopped all but one shot in the shootout while Lauren Krukoski, Nina Bird, and Miranda Kellar all found the net to seal the win.
But the momentum didn’t carry to Kenora on Thursday, where the black-and-gold fell by an identical 3-2 score. The Muskies didn’t even get on the board until the third period against the Broncos, already in a two-goal hole.
Only Taylor Meyers and Kristen Penner scored more than a single point over the week, and Kellar was happy to see the points spread out among the players.
“Overall, so far, it’s been a solid team effort,” he remarked. “I wouldn’t say any individual [stood out], and that’s what we like.
“I think we have three solid lines. We can throw any of them out there at any time,” he added.
Things certainly could be worse than starting league play with a 1-1 record, but Kellar’s emphasis will be on making sure his players finish better on their scoring chances and exercise more patience in the offensive zone.
“Sometimes we’re rushing,” Kellar admitted, adding the girls are too eager to get the puck on the net.
Fort High played a rematch with the Broncos last night (the outcome wasn’t known prior to press time), but then don’t have another NorWOSSA game until Dec. 7, when they head to Dryden to face the Eagles.
In the meantime, they have a tournament in Altona, Man. this weekend, which Kellar hopes will provide a chance for the team to sharpen up for the season ahead.
The squad will spend the rest of the month on the road, not hosting another home game until Dec. 11 versus the Broncos.