For Red Wing, the game provided the chance to enact revenge. The Falcons upset the top-seeded Wingers 4-3 in overtime in the Section 1A finals a year ago, denying Red Wing a return trip to the state tournament.

“They’re like the biggest rival,” Red Wing freshman Emily Stegora said. “This was like the only game we wanted to win.”

To hear her teammates tell it, that was not hyperbole. According to sophomore Paige Haley, the Falcons had been talking a lot of trash in the offseason. She said Faribault players made it known that they were going to beat Red Wing again.

“We just were sick of it,” Haley said. “We wanted to put them in their place and we felt like we did it.”

The game had bigger implications than just bragging rights. The win could be beneficial when it’s time to determine seeds for this year’s section tournament.

Behind a pair of early goals from Haley and a tally by Schammel, Red Wing (9-11-1) jumped out to a 3-0 lead. However, Kasi Petersen’s goal at 8:14 of the second period tied it at 3.

It appeared Faribault (9-10-2) was going to take its first lead of the game at 11:19 of the same period when Shelby Salmonsen streaked in on a shorthanded breakaway. Her shot beat Red Wing goalie Lisa Nibbe, clanged off the crossbar and came straight down. The official ruled the puck didn’t cross the line.

Just 23 second passed before Stegora scored a power play goal that proved to be the game winner. Stationed at the back door, Stegora one-timed a pass from Haley past goalie Hannah Seitz.

“Usually I miss a lot of one-timers,” Stegora said. “I got one because I was fully concentrated on hitting the puck just right so we could get a one-goal lead.”

Schammel proceeded to score two more goals to wrap up the victory.

Faribault’s Megan Bergland tallied four points in the section game last year, but Red Wing held her to one goal and one assist Tuesday even though defenseman Elle Anderson missed the game with a concussion.

Red Wing travels Thursday to Northfield to face another section opponent.

To read more about Haley and the Wingers, pick up Saturday's paper.