Rogers Antony Tallies Hat Trick in 4-2 Win

ROGERS, Minn - Rogers Royals freshman Emily Antony did everything in power to be noticed on every shift she played Saturday afternoon. She scored two first period goals and finished her bid for a hat trick in the last minute of play in the Royals 4-2 win over Simley. Antony might be the smallest player on the ice at any given time, but her game and heart are huge. It was the second career hat trick for the freshman who stacks up as one of the best 9th graders playing in the state.

"Having a kid like Emily is a bonus for sure," said Royals head coach Scott Childers. "She uses her teammates very well, works hard every shift she is on the ice, can finish. In girls hockey, if you have a finisher on your team, that's an asset. Emily is a kid that can finish."

With the score hanging at 2-1 in the second period, sophomore forward Kaitlin Braiedy pounced on a loose puck and put it in the back of the net for a critical goal that gave the Royals the 3-1 lead.

Sophomore goaltender Michelle Klimstra was solid in net for the Royals only allowing one goal until the last minute when Simley scored on the powerplay when their goaltender had been pulled. Klimstra might have been nervous when the game started, but she settled in nicely and made some key saves in the win.

"I was really, really nervous at the beginning of the game," said Klimstra. "Everyone calmed me down and told me 'you are going to do good'."

Once the nerves subsided, she settled in and did a solid job in the net.

With a 3-1 lead heding into the third period, Simley did a great job pressuring the Royals. The Spartans put 13 shots on net in the period, and cut the game to one goal with 41 seconds remaining in the period with a power play goal.

No worries, Antony took over and finished off her hat trick bid with a pretty give and go, top shelf, juggle the water bottle goal.

"I passed the puck to Alicia, because we were trying to help her get a goal. It was the perfect give-and-go situation," said Antony. "I looked and saw the whole left top corner open and I shot for there."

Target hit for Antony and the Royals who move to 1-1 on the season, and will face Totino-Grace and Robbinsdale Armstrong/Cooper next week.

With the loss, Simley falls to 1-2 and will host the Minnehaha Saints and the Fergus Falls Otters next week.