Westonka Girls Clip Hutchinson in Overtime

In a hard-fought game against conference foe Hutchinson, Westonka's varsity girl’s hockey team came out victorious in overtime last week.

Westonka played most of the early game in their own zone, with Hutchinson peppering the net and senior goaltender Samantha Scobee turning away everything.  

The Whitehawks took a 1-0 lead midway through the first period when Michele “Lilly” Mahoney carried the puck just past the Hutchinson blue line and took a wrist shot that fooled the Hutch goalie high above the glove.

Hutchinson knotted the score with four minutes left in the opening period when a slap shot from the point was redirected into the top right corner of the Westonka net. The Whitehawks responded to take a 2-1 lead less than a minute later when Jess Nkhata, Emily Halvarson and Morgan Niccum raced together on a single Hutch defenseman.

Nkhata dropped the puck to Halvarson, who took a shot from the slot, and Niccum found the rebound and put the puck in the back of the net.

Neither team scored in the second period, as both teams played strong defense and few shots made it to the net.  

Hutchinson tied the game early in the third period to set up an exciting finish.

Both teams had great scoring chances in regulation play, but were unable to light the lamp. 

Halvarson bounced a puck of the cross bar with nine minutes left, and Niccum’s shot hit the left post with less than four minutes to go.  

Westonka started overtime with their first power play line, a line that also saw a lot of ice time in the third period. Both coaches took their timeouts to give their players a much needed rest. 

Overtime started with Hutchinson having several good scoring chances, with one slap shot just missing high.

With less than four minutes left, Grace Holmen fought for the puck in the Hutchinson corner while Jess Nkhata was firmly planted in front of the Hutchinson jockeying for position with Hutchinson’s leading scorer, Sara Carlson.

Holmen won the battle for the puck and fired a pass to Nkhata. With both Hutch players focused on Nkhata, Holmen’s pass hit Carlon’s stick and shot into the net past the Hutch goalie.  

The girls mobbed Holmen to celebrate the 3-2 overtime victory.

Westonka next takes on Rogers tomorrow, Dec. 20.