Detroit Lakes got on the scoreboard first when Lily Burnside scored from Karrigan Hallisey and Ella Hess 3:09 into the game.  Rausch tied the game at 8:42 of the period.

Rausch gave the Otters the lead for good with a goal just 35 seconds into the second perioid with assists coming from Ellie Andersen and Chloe Nelson.  Vivian Karsnia's goal from Jade Zierden and Marilyn Karsnia at 3:49 gave the Otters a 3-1 lead which they took into the third period.

Andersen scored on the power play at 6:42 of the third period with assists going to Rausch and Zierden.  DL made it a 4-2 game when Burnside scored again at 7:37.  An assist was awarded to Abigail King of the Lakers.  Rausch secured the win with her shorthanded goal, setup by Hallie Sheridan.

Fergus Falls put 42 shots on the Laker net.  Jadyn McKeever stopped 21 of the 23 shots she faced.

"It's always nice to open with a win," said Head Coach Tim Lill.  "Our leaders carried us today."

The Otters will play back to back road games on Friday night in Hutchinson and on Saturday afternoon in South St. Paul.