Westonka Girls Celebrate Hockey Day with Overtime Win

White Hawk girls of all ages took over Thaler Ice Arena and filled the day with hockey on Jan. 21 as part of state-wide Hockey Day 2012 celebrations.

All Mound Westonka hockey teams hosted games—with the varsity team capping off the day with a 3-2 overtime win against Big Nine Conference leader Rochester Mayo.

Westonka started strong and scored the first two goals. Midway through the first period Emily Halvarson knotted her team-leading 18th goal of the season when she found a rebound off a Jess Nkhata shot.  

Four minutes later the White Hawks scored a power play goal when Abby Brustad fed MacKenzie Kratch at the point. The fast break ended with a rebound corralled into the net by Taylor “LT” Moynagh.

A Rochester goal in the second had MWHS up 2-1 when the third period started.

The final minutes of the third period were fast paced—with both team having good scoring chances—but neither could light lamp. As the clocked ticked down it looked like Westonka would finish regulation play with a victory.  

But Rochester Mayo ppulled the goaltender with one minute left in the game for the man advantage. The extra stick was left all alone high in the slot, and it buried a wrist shot to tie the game with just 22 seconds remaining.

The White Hawks regrouped and dominated the overtime period but neither team could find the back of the net. With two minutes left in OT, Rochester took a five-minute major penalty for a high sticking with contact to the helmet.  

The Mound Westonka power play line immediately pounded the net with shots. With just three seconds left in overtime, Nina Chase found the puck in the scrum and scored the winning goal.

Pandemonium ensued.

To help celebrate the emotional win, the high school girls invited all Westonka hockey girls back on the ice to skate and play games.

Next up for the White Hawks is an away game against Rogers on Jan 24th and a home game Jan 26 vs. Chaska.