State Girls Hockey: Dodge County wins State debut 4-0 over Fergus Falls in Class A quarters
Dodge County's Nora Cartensen celebrates one of her two goals against Fergus Falls in the Wildcats 4-0 Class A Girls Hockey State Quarterfinal victory (NSPN.TV)
In its debut appearance at the Minnesota State High School League’s Girls Hockey State Tournament, Dodge County, the No. 3 seed, played like a tested tourney veteran as it charted a 4-0 win over Fergus Falls at the Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday, Feb. 21 in quarterfinals play.
Click the video box on this page to watch extended highlights of Dodge County vs. Fergus Falls in the Class A Girls State Hockey Quarterfinals
The Section 1A champions, Dodge County (22-4-0) extended its current win streak to four games thanks to a strong showing that showcased offensive strength with 30 shots on goal and a defensive effort that only allowed nine shots on target and allowed goaltender Ida Huber to claim the first shutout of the tourney.
After a scoreless draw in the first period, Dodge County broke the deadlock at 5:38 of the second period with a goal by McKenna LaFleur that included an assist from teammate Zoe Heimer. This was LeFleur’s 14th goal of the season.
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The Wildcats then extended their lead to 2-0 at 11:06 of the second period with a marker on a wrist shot from the top of the circles by Maysie Koch at 11:03 with helpers netted by Nora Carstensen and Mollie Koch. The goal was LaFleur’s 23rd of the season.
In the third period, Dodge County’s Carstensen added to her 2023-2024 offensive totals as she scored her 32nd and 33rd goals of the year. Carstensen’s first goal was notched at 2:14 of the third period and she completed her squad’s scoring with a power play goal at 9:38 of the third with assists from Koch and Heimer.
Dodge County will continue its run at the Xcel Energy Center with a semifinal game against #2 seed Orono on Friday, Feb. 23 at 11:00 a.m. Fergus Falls (15-12-1) moves to the consolation bracket and will next face Willmar on Thursday, Feb. 22 at the TRIA Rink in St. Paul. Game time is scheduled for Noon.
Courtesy: Minnesota State High School League