The StormHawks girls hockey team (0–2) entered their game against Shakopee (0–4) with a full week to regroup from their first two contests of the year. This year’s squad is on the younger side, featuring only four seniors. Team captains for the season are seniors Claire Lawler and Sarah Broten, along with juniors Evie Lundeen and Katie Harrison.
On a play worthy of an ESPN highlight reel, Joey Hartley executed a fast-paced breakout into the offensive zone and fired a shot on net, with Evie Lundeen burying the rebound just 2:45 into the game.
The StormHawks used sharp, focused passing throughout the first period to keep the action largely in the Shakopee end. Shots were 8–0 in favor of the StormHawks before the Sabers recorded their first attempt on goal.
Shakopee tied the game with an unusual bounce — an attempt from behind the net deflected off the backside of goaltender Nola Hazard’s stick at 15:06.
The StormHawks responded quickly, as Emily Blahoski scored from a scrum in front at 15:51 to give Chan/Chaska a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.
The scoring duo of Hartley and Lundeen connected again at 12:29 of the second period. Hartley fed Lundeen, whose solid shot beat the Shakopee goaltender.
The pace of the game caught up with the StormHawks at times, as they drew the attention of the officials throughout the afternoon. Despite taking six penalties, the StormHawks’ defense stood strong, limiting Shakopee to just four total shots during those power plays.
Shakopee skated strongly in the third period, generating more shots in that frame than they had in the rest of the game combined. Hazard, backed by strong team defense, faced 18 shots overall and now holds a .947 save percentage on the season.
The StormHawks’ final goal came when Haylee Coulson buried an empty-netter at 16:34, sealing the 4–1 victory. Final shots on goal were 46–19 in favor of the StormHawks.
Second-year coach Brian Lawler praised the team’s effort and focus.
“Always good to get that first win,” he said. “We worked hard in practice after those first games last week. Skated stronger today. Overall, a well-played game — there are a few things to work on — but they put in the effort and play as a team.”
Through three games, Evie Lundeen leads the StormHawks with five points (3 goals, 2 assists), followed by Joey Hartley (2 goals, 2 assists) and Claire Lawler (4 assists), each with four points.
The StormHawks’ next game will be at home against Rogers on Nov. 25. They play nine games in December, with six of them on home ice.
