MLA Girls Reach Semi-Finals But Fall 5-3 To Eveleth-Gilbert

Wes Vork-NSO

Click Here For The Complete Game Box Score

For Additional Photos Click Here To View Our Complete Photo Gallery

Feb 15

Kerry Rodd-NSO

CLOQUET – The next step in the evolution of the Moose Lake Area girl’s hockey team was evident on Tuesday night in a 5-3 loss to Eveleth-Gilbert in the Section 7A Semi-Finals played at the Cloquet Area Recreation Center. The Rebels are building a solid foundation in their program and by reaching the semi-finals of the section it is the furthest the MLA program has gone in girls hockey.

“This is the first year we’ve had enough players for a junior varsity team,” commented MLA coach Joe Mohelsky to Northland Sports Online after the game. “Those girls are getting three periods a night rather than sitting and our youth numbers are good.”

It appeared as if the Rebels might pull out an upset over the higher seeded Golden Bears when MLA gained a 3-1 in the second period, but penalties reared their ugly head and Eveleth-Gilbert took advantage with four power play goals to skate to the win and a chance in the finals.

“We’ve had problems with penalties all year,” mentioned Mohelsky. “We play aggressive, not cheap, but aggressive and it comes with the territory.”

The teams were even at 1-1 after one period with Maggie Unzen picking up the goal for MLA at 12:19 with Georgia Ryan and Erin Mollberg picking up the assists.

It looked like the Rebels took all the momentum in the second period when Unzen scored at 9:30 and Emily Wasche added a tally at 11:44. Those goals gave the Rebels a 3-1 edge. Enter the penalties. Before the period would end the Golden Bears capitalized on having a player advantage by scoring with just 27 seconds remaining in the second period and that goal gave them a big rush of adrenaline entering the final period.

While Kaitlyn Greene did her best to backstop the Rebels to the win in goal the Golden Bears were getting chances on the power play. Eventually the chances led to goals at 5:46, 14:33 and 15:47 by Kaylen Erchul, Amanda Arbogast and Kayla Moe, here second of the game.

“Greene made some key saves and has performed well for us all year,” stated Mohelsky. “She (Greene) has been really impressive this year and has a vast improvement over last year. She has become very focused and it shows. She played with a lot of heart.”

Greene was extremely impressive at giving her team a chance to win by making 29 saves on 34 shots with many of those saves difficult ones.

The Rebels will lose five players to graduation, including their entire first line; however they will return 18 players so the future is bright. MLA finished the season at 13-11-3.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com