MANKATO — Frustration in Big Nine Conference games continued on Tuesday night for the Austin High girls hockey team.
The visiting Austin Packers led 1-0 over the unbeaten Mankato East Cougars heading into the third period, but it didn't last. East scored three goals in the third period and then, withstood a late rally to hand Austin a 3-2 loss.
Carley Grunewald gave the Packers an early lead with the only goal of the first period. Abby Gallaher had the assist and the goal from Grunewald would be the only scoring through the first two periods of play.
"That was a nice pass from Abby to set up our first goal," Austin coach Denny Bray said. "Carley was sitting on the far post and put it in."
East (8-0-1) couldn't get a shot past Austin goalie Allison Hoban for the first two periods. Penalties then took a toll and East scored on a power play to tie the game early in the third period.
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It was a 3-1 deficit late in the third period, when the Packers put on a furious rally. Ashley Arhart scored with 1:33 left in the period and the Packers almost put the game into overtime.
"The girls played hard the whole game, but the five penalties hurt," Bray said. "We were on the penalty kill a lot and it tired us out.
"Still, they never quit. We pulled the goalie with a minute left and came real close to tying the game. We hit the crossbar with three seconds left, but it bounced away and that was it."
Austin (3-6, 0-5 Big Nine) plays Rochester Century on Saturday at home with a 1 p.m. face-off at Riverside Arena.
MANKATO EAST 3, AUSTIN 2
Austin#1#0#1#—#2
Mankato#0#0#3#—#3
First period— Austin, Carley Grunewald (Abby Gallaher), 10:45.
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Third period— ME, Rebekah Kolstad (Maddie McCargar, Savannah Quandt), 6:32 (pp). ME, Maddie McCargar (Kolstad), 7:27. ME, Kolstad, 13:04. Austin, Ashley Arhart (Alex Larson), 15:17.
Shots-on-goal— Austin 9-5-10—24, East 7-12-12—31.
Goalies— Austin, Allison Hoban (31 shots, 28 saves). ME, Melany Anderson (24 shots, 22 saves).
Penalties— Austin 5-10, East 3-6.
