Bismarck nips Jays

The Jamestown Blue Jay girls hockey team came out flat against the host Bismarck Blizzard on Friday night, and it was reflected in the final score.

The Blizzards’ Lauren Bischof and Haleigh Springan each found the back of the net, and that was enough to hold off a late surge by Jamestown.

“It looked like we had lead in our legs. It was hard to watch,” JHS coach Brad Schaack said of the Blue Jays’ first 17 minutes of the game. “But we weathered the storm a little bit, came back and made a game of it.”

Down 2-0 in the second period, Amber Schaack got the Blue Jays on the board, with assists credited to teammates Steph Kamlitz and Brenna Pritchert. It was Schaack’s 21st goal of the season, as she has scored in every game for the Blue Jays (10-5, 8-4) so far in her senior season.

Coach Schaack said Bismarck (10-4, 8-3 state), which was tied with Jamestown in state points with 22 entering the game, came out fired up to play the Jays. Bismarck was sent to the box 6 times in a very physical contest.

“We had our chances on the power play, too … I’m just glad nobody got hurt,” Schaack said. “There was some nastiness out there.”

Jamestown senior goalie Carissa Finck had another solid night for the Jays, turning away 36 shots on goal.

“Finck played well again tonight,” Schaack said. “She might have wanted the first one back. It was in her glove.

“But give credit to Bismarck. They’ve been waiting for this and they took it to us in that first period.”

The Jays now have a week to prepare for Minot, which will be at Wilson Arena on Friday.

“We have to right to get back on track next week. We had that cushion and that cushion isn’t there anymore,” Schaack said. “We have to right the ship, but it’s not for a lack of work. We need to have a good week of practice and lace them up again next Friday.”

Bismarck 2, Jamestown 1

Jamestown 0 1 0 — 1

Bismarck 1 1 0 — 2

Scoring

First period

1, B, Lauren Bischof (Sage Barta).

Second period

2, B, Haleigh Springan (Brianna Flynn, Jessie Binstock); 3, J, Amber Schaack (Steph Kamlitz, Brenna Pritchert).

Penalties: B, 6 for 12 minutes; J, 3 for 6 minutes.

Goalies saves: B, Kennedy Blair 1-7-6—14; J, Carissa Finck 14-17-5—36.

Records: Bismarck 8-3 state, 10-4 overall; Jamestown 8-4 state, 10-5 overall.

— Michael Savaloja

Tags: sports, jays, hockey