Staff
Coming off one of her roughest performances of the season, Kamryn Sandelovich put forth one of her best.
The Grade 9 rookie goalie made 38 saves and was the big reason the Muskie girls’ hockey team was able to salvage a 1-1 tie with the host Bemidji Lumberjacks in exhibition play last night.
Sandelovich, who gave up five goals while still managing to earn the win last Thursday against the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints (Kenora), was especially fantastic in the first period when the Lumberjacks outshot the Muskies 18-6.
Fort High played better in the second period but were unable to solve Grade 8 goalie Nettie Kimble.
The Muskies finally scored five minutes into the third when Kelsey Langtry skated in off the left-wing boards and fired a shot from the circle that Kimble blocked.
But with the puck lying loose at the edge of the crease, Grade 9 rookie Jill Calder fiercely outfought Grade 12 defender Elli Hanson and slid the puck behind Kimble just before hitting the ice.
Trying to nurse the lead home, the Muskies were undone by a Bemidji power play only 28 seconds after Lauren Hamilton was whistled for slashing.
Jacie Lalli’s rocket from the top of the right circle deflected off the stick of teammate Rachael Holm and on goal.
Sandelovich knocked it down but the puck landed right on the stick of an unchecked Alexis Leitner, the other Grade 8 member of the Lumberjacks, who whacked in the equalizer with just over four minutes to go.
With the rest of regulation and an eight-minute overtime solving nothing, it was decided to end the game at that point without progressing to a potential shootout.
Forward Reece McQuaker (illness) was the only Muskie out of the lineup last night.
Due to exam week, the Muskies don’t play again until next Friday (Jan. 27) for an exhibition game against the host Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers.
The Muskies then will play another exhibition game Jan. 28 against the host Eveleth Golden Bears before squaring off versus International Falls for Round 2 of this year’s “Border Battle” on Jan. 31 at Bronco Arena.
Their next home game is Feb. 1 against the Sioux Lookout Warriors.
