Shutting out to shut down: Waseca girls’ hockey team splits

The Waseca High School girls’ hockey team got off to a fast start at Fairmont, and it held up until the finish.

The Bluejays put 14 pucks on the net and scored twice while shutting out the Cardinals Thursday, Dec. 1.

The Bluejays, who totaled 23 shots on goal, scored within the first 10 minutes of the opening period. Freshman forward Maddy Benson opened things up with a goal 3:30 into it, with 8th-grade forward Maizee Storey assisting. Senior forward Madelyn Malecha scored the second one with junior defenseman Isabela Slechta earning an assist.

It was a mostly quiet game after that. Neither team recorded any penalties, and Fairmont managed 17 shots on net. Eighth-grade Bluejay goaltender Ilamay Draheim recorded her first shutout of the season.

Luverne 6, Waseca 0

After shutting out a Big South rival, Waseca sadly got the same treatment on the road against Luverne Saturday, Dec. 3.

The Cardinals’ game plan against Waseca was simple: use their speed, take as many shots as possible, and don’t let the Bluejays get quality shots on net. It worked. While they took 20 shots and cashed in on three of them in the first period, Waseca couldn’t even get a chance at the net. Waseca had three shots all game.

Despite allowing six goals, it was a great afternoon for goalie Draheim, who faced 57 shots and had a .895 save percentage.

The Lady Jays faced Minnesota River Thursday, Dec. 8.