It was only one game, and a season opener at that, but the Park Wolfpack started the 2022-23 girls’ hockey season in rousing fashion Friday.

The Wolfpack skated past visiting Bloomington Jefferson 7-0 Friday with both the Park defense and the offense turning in solid performances.

“They did,” said Park head coach Bay Shock. “We got a couple of power plays goal, I think we got a shortie, we shot the puck which we talked about shoot the puck, opening game. We were able to jump up and play quite a bit and then Tori made a couple of saves that we needed to because at 2-nothing after the first you’re worried about going 2-1, it could change the whole game and we got the short-handed goal and then another goal and it took a little pressure off of us.”

Senior center Taylar Nadler and sophomore forward Lauren Osland each scored two goals to lead the Park offense. Natalie Post, Maggie Jensen and Alyssa Hill had a goal each.

“I feel we did a really good job like Tori said of being aggressive,” said Nadler. “And we also played as a team/ Everyone did their jobs and when everyone does their jobs it’s really easy to score and to win and I feel like if we carry that on to the rest of the season, we’re going to have a really good season.”

Jensen scored on a first-period power play and teammate Natalie Post added another first period goal as the Wolfpack took charge early — skating to a 2-0 lead after the first period — and never looked back.

Park took a 5-0 lead after two periods on a short-handed goal by Nadler, a score by Osland and another even strength goal. The Wolfpack added two more goals in the third period to make the rout complete.

Park junior goalie Tori Stepka went the distance and pitched a shutout, blocking eight shots by the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars. She was helped by a tenacious defense which held Jefferson in check the entire game.

“Overall, I’m really proud of how the team played,” said Stepka. “They made my job very easy. I think we did a very good job of being aggressive and pinching so they couldn’t get it out of their zone.

“I just think we need to watch as we come up against better teams, staying back, because there is a couple times where we had a couple scares,” Stepka continued. “SO just making sure we don’t press too high and we always have one back.”

Sam Miller, Kyra Stofer, Molly Villas and Jensen recorded assists for the Wolfpack.

The 7-0 win was Park’s biggest since an 11-0 victory in last season’s opener.

“I’m really happy with them,” added Shock. “The jayvees scored six goals and the varsity gets seven so all right we’ll keep it going.”

Park will skate against visiting Rochester Century (1-1) Friday at the Cottage Grove Ice Arena, then plays Mounds View/Irondale at the National Sports Center Saturday, both games at 7 p.m.

Sam Miller of the Wolfpack skates to the puck ahead of a Bloomington Jefferson opponent in the third period Friday. Photo by John Molene