Eden Prairie senior goalie Rylee Lorton (30) makes a save against Grand Rapids on Nov. 14 at Yanmar Arena. Lorton stopped 22 of 23 shots in a 1-0 loss. Photo by Rick Olson
The Eden Prairie girls hockey team split its northern road trip over the weekend, falling 1-0 at Grand Rapids on Friday night before rebounding with a 4-0 win over Hibbing on Saturday afternoon.
On Friday, Eden Prairie and the Grand Rapids Lightning were locked in a defensive duel at Yanmar Arena. The game remained scoreless until the Lightning broke through with 2:47 remaining in the third period, handing the Eagles their second straight one-goal loss. Senior goalie Rylee Lorton stopped 22 of 23 shots in a standout performance.
Eden Prairie junior forward Ella Abrahamson (18) handles the puck during Saturday’s 4-0 win at Hibbing. Abrahamson scored her first varsity goal in the first period. Photo by Rick Olson
Less than 24 hours later, Eden Prairie traveled 36 miles east to Hibbing Memorial Arena and found its offensive rhythm. The Eagles generated 54 shots on goal in a 4-0 win, their first victory of the season. Junior forward Ella Abrahamson opened the scoring with her first varsity goal, slipping a backhand shot through a tight space between the goalie and the near post in the first period.
Senior forward Allie Dahl, senior captain Kate Petrie and eighth-grader Annika Buchanan added goals. Eighth-grade goalie Payton Amendola earned her first varsity win and first shutout.
Eden Prairie is now 1-2-0. Both losses came on late third-period goals — including a season-opening 3-2 defeat to River Cities on Nov. 8 after the Blades scored with 29.8 seconds left.
Next up, the Eagles travel to North St. Paul to face Hill-Murray on Thursday at 7 p.m. Their home opener is Saturday at 3 p.m. against Gentry Academy.