Following the holidays season, three Chaska girls’ teams started off the new year in sports.
Girls Hockey Knocks Off Break
The StormHawks took on Breck on Jan. 2. Hoping to improve on their season record, the girls came out shooting. The StormHawks (4-11) were coming off strong efforts in the Mid-Winter Meltdown and faced the #4 ranked 1A team Breck.
The game was scoreless after the first period with the StormHawks outshooting Breck 9-7. Facing a two-person shortage due to penalties early in the second period, the StormHawks skated stride-for-stride with the Mustangs and senior goalie Kelsey Brastad proved stalwart in the net.
Hoping to build on Coach Lawler’s goal of more shots on net each game, this effort resulted in the StormHawks putting 35 shots on goal. The StormHawks and Mustangs were 0-0 later in the game when Breck picked up a checking penalty.
Hannah Grimm broke the 0-0 tie (assists to Evie Lundeen and Katelyn Harrison) and the StormHawks held off Breck after taking a penalty in the last minute for the win.
After the game, Coach Lawler summarized the win. “Awesome, the team just played a very good team and did their best, just unbelievable, great game.”
Basketball Battled Tonka
To wrap up the non-conference schedule, the Chaska girls basketball team (5-5) took on the Minnetonka Skippers (7-2 and ranked #6 in Class 4A) on Jan. 3.
The Skippers came out strong and showed moves from the three-point line and worked themselves inside. The Hawks found their rhythm and gained the lead a few times before the half, which had Tonka up 33-30.
A strong team effort by both teams in the second half kept the game within reach, with Tonka pulling it out in the end 66-57.
Chaska was led by junior Addi Schneider who had an impressive 31 points and Ella Keenan had 13 points for the Hawks. The Hawks start conference play on Jan. 7 at Waconia and have a home date with Chanhassen on Jan. 10 in Chaska. The game time for the girls will be 5:30 p.m., the boys play Chanhassen that same night at 7 p.m.
Dance Team Home Show – Readies for Sectionals
On Saturday, Jan. 4, the Chaska Dance team held their Home Show for the season. This non-judged event allowed teams, individuals and duos to hone and practice their routines prior to the last two invitationals and to prepare for sectionals (which start Feb. 1).
The Chaska high-kick and jazz teams were joined by Waconia in front of a sizable crowd. Highlights of the event included an impressive performance from Magnifying Abilities, a number of delightful dancers from the Minnesota Youth Dance Team, and the highly entertaining father/daughter dance. The daughters far out-danced the brave fathers performing to an AC/DC song.
Dates for next season have been posted and more information can be found on the Dance team’s website.
