In what was entitled the “battle for the stick,” Chaska (6-6) hosted Chanhassen (4-7) on May 22. The Hawks came into the match having defeated Waconia on May 20, 16-9. The Storm came into the match having had more than a week off before their defeat of Waconia on May 13, 11-7.

From the first faceoff, it was clear the match was going to be a focused match with both teams pushing play from one end of the field to the other. Cohen Carlton kept goal for the Hawks Otto Reinhardt was in net for the Storm.

Chanhassen got on the scoreboard with two goals in the first quarter, putting the pressure on Chaska. As the pace intensified in the second quarter, the Storm scored three more goals. Chaska added one of their own and the halftime score was 5-1 in favor of the Storm.

The same pattern of two goals for Chanhassen and one for Chaska held in the third, and the score was 7-2 as the teams headed into the fourth quarter. For the first three quarters, the Storm seemed to have the edge. But the Hawks hit their groove in the fourth quarter and added three goals to their total. The Storm added one goal and won the match 8-5.

The Storm were led by Owen Potenza (Sr.) and Max Dietel (Fr.) with three goals each. Riley Syverson (Jr.) and Jack Carlson (Jr.) had one goal apiece.

The Hawks were led by Kam Atteberry (Sr.) with two goals. Leighton Hines (Fr.), Adam Wilson (Sr.) and Jameson Couser (Sr.) scored one a piece. Hawks goalie Carlton faced 21 shots and the Storm’s Reinhardt faced 16 shots.

With the regular season wrapping up, Kam Atteberry (Sr.) led the Hawks in goals with 56 on the year. Max Dietel (Fr.) led the Storm with 21 goals for his team.

“They had our number tonight,” said Hawks Coach Chris Orcutt after the match. “I wish it were different, but they came ready to take us on. They played sharp and won the ground battles, and their passes were hitting all night. Always a great match with these two teams”.

The Storm faced Eden Prairie the next day on May 23 and dropped the match 3-11. Chaska and Chanhassen will face each other in the first round of sectional play on May 28 at Chanhassen.