14 March 2013

Girls Hockey: A season short on goals

Rachel Peroutky All-Missota Conference and Hobey Baker Award (photo by Jim Lindquist)
For the most part the defense was adequate and the two young goaltenders effective, but the Tigers had a tough time putting the puck away in a season that produced just four wins in 26 games (4-19-3).

"Our season statistics tell the story," coach Jon Holmes said. "We were not outshot by wide margins very often this year, but our shots were not finding the twine."

The Tigers scored a total of 40 goals for the season and netted more than two goals in a single game just four times.

All in all, 21 varsity players received letters at the team's post-season banquet, including three seniors: Rachael Peroutky, Grace Gavin and Haleigh Zwart.

"The three of them had a combined 17 years of varsity experience," Holmes said. "They are very bright, very energetic and very charismatic individuals that I will personally miss seeing at the rink every day.

"Their leadership qualities are truly top-notch. They were able to keep a four-win team positive and hard working for the entire year."

Other letterwinners included Maddie Bowe, Haley Doll, Bria Donnelly, Shaye Jenrich, Shelby Klotz, Maddie Kohlbeck, Kaitlyn LaCroix, Maddi Oines, Breanna Raske, Brooke Raske, Syndey Schoenecker, Molly Singewald, Megan Stivers, Michaela Tonsager, Grace Vincent, Rachael Welzin, Tyler Words and Dani Wright.

Michaela Tonsager All-Missota Conference (photo by Jim Lindquist)

Peroutky, the team's leading point-getter (15) and leading goal-scorer Tonsager (8) earned all-Missota Conference distinction. Seniors Zwart and Gavin received all-league honorable mention.

Peroutky won the team's Hobey Baker Award and will be honored at a Minnesota Twins game later this spring.

Zwart received the Hegland Award for dedication and work ethic and Brooke Raske won the  Blue Line Award as the top defender. Goalies Bowe and Singewald shared Rookie of the Year honors

With 18 letterwinners eligible to return for the 2013-14 season, Holmes said the future remains bright for Tiger hockey but cautioned there is a lot of work to be done before the first puck drops next winter.

"We need be stronger physically," he said. "Our shots, our passes and our strength in protecting the puck all need to make significant strides over the off season.

"The huge positive is that we have a dedicated group of girls that I am confident will concentrate on these things this summer."