Rogers girls hockey’s season ends in heartbreak

Rogers lost in OT to Champlin Park-Coon Rapids in section quarterfinal

by Erik Nelson

Sports Reporter

Even if a team plays well enough to win, the puck has to bounce its way, especially in an elimination game.

Rogers didn’t have the bounces go its way in the Section 5-2A quarterfinal on Saturday, Feb. 10, as No. 16 Champlin Park-Coon Rapids defeated the Royals 4-3 in overtime at Roseville Ice Arena. Rogers finished the season with a record of 10-16.

Royals head coach Emily Achterkirch said Rogers played its best game of the season on Saturday.

“We were proud of the effort and the game that they put on the ice,” Achterkirch said. “We were doing all the little things right. We worked hard. We had great energy. I don’t think there was anything in the girls’ game that they could’ve done better. They played to the best of their ability. Sometimes, the bounces and pucks don’t always go the way that we want.”

Rogers had a 3-2 lead midway through the third period thanks to goals from senior forward and co-captain Avery Achterkirch, junior defender Sydney Bailey and sophomore forward Brynne Bischoff. However, Champlin Park-Coon Rapids sophomore forward Tessa Boden tied the game with a power-play goal at 9:46 of the third. The teams battled to try and score a winner before the end of regulation, but neither team found twine.

In overtime, Champlin Park-Coon Rapids won the game at 4:36 on a goal by freshman forward June Semling. Royals junior goalie Claire Kinneberg made 29 saves on 33 shots, while Champlin Park-Coon Rapids goalie Madelyn Wostrel made 21 saves on 24 shots for her 10th win of the season.

The following week, Champlin Park-Coon Rapids was also eliminated from the Section 5-2A tournament after losing 8-1 in the semifinal to No. 10 Maple Grove on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Roseville Ice Arena.

What’s next

The Royals graduate four seniors from its roster: Avery Achterkirch, Kami Messer, Justyce Ohlgren and Melanie VanEngen. Achterkirch, Messer and Ohlgren were the Royals’ captains this season.

Emily Achterkirch said Rogers will miss the leadership that those seniors provided for the team this season.

“It’s clear to us that this year, the girls had a ton of fun being a team together,” she said. “That’s on the captains. They did a great job of bringing everyone together and making a fun environment for everyone and making the locker room fun. On the ice, our seniors contributed so much for so many years that there are going to be big shoes to fill. We’re proud of how far we came from the beginning of the season until now. There was so much improvement and, yes, ups and downs.”