The StormHawks girls hockey team started 2026 on the right foot with an exciting 5-4 victory over the Academy of Holy Angels at the Chaska Community Center on Jan. 8.
Coming off a 1–1–1 showing at the EP Mid-Winter Meltdown tournament, the StormHawks (7–8–1, 3–1 Metro West) looked to secure a long-overdue win against a traditionally tough Holy Angels squad (6–11–0, 3–2 Metro West).
The StormHawks jumped out to an early lead when Emily Blahoski (Fr.) scored her fourth goal of the season at the 1:38 mark of the first period, assisted by Hailey Freche (So.). The remainder of the period featured strong skating and effective puck movement from both teams, with each focusing on controlling the offensive blue line to generate scoring chances.
The second period provided most of the game’s offensive fireworks. Team-leading scorer Joey Hartle (8th) found the net just five seconds into the period off a feed from Evie Lundeen (Jr.). Hartle has 12 goals and 20 points on the season.
Bella Hendel-Solis (Jr.) added her second goal of the year, assisted by Sarah Broten (Sr.), to extend the lead. After Holy Angels answered with a power-play goal, Lundeen responded with a power-play tally of her own to give the StormHawks a 4–1 advantage.
Holy Angels then increased the pressure, scoring twice at the 12- and 13-minute marks of the period to pull within one, making it 4–3 heading into the third.
The intensity carried into the final period as Holy Angels tied the game just 23 seconds in with a one-timer from the point.
The StormHawks answered at the 3:12 mark when Avery Moe (Fr.) scored off an assist from Freche to regain the lead. Both teams spent time in the penalty box, but strong goaltending on each side kept the score unchanged.
With Holy Angels pulling their goalie late, the StormHawks held firm to secure the 5–4 win. Goaltender Regan Conrad made 36 saves, while the StormHawks recorded 30 shots on goal.
Coach Brian Lawler praised the team’s effort following the game.
“It was a big win for us,” he said. “The team skated hard. Our strong season is getting even better — I like where we’re at. We made some mistakes, but the third period showed this team doesn’t give up and isn’t intimidated. It’s been a while since we’ve beaten Holy Angels, and this was a great effort. We’re well positioned in the conference.”
StormHawks captains Sarah Broten (Sr.), Katie Harrison (Jr.), Claire Lawler (Sr.), and Evie Lundeen (Jr.) echoed that sentiment after the game.
“It takes every person, every shift, and the team really stepped up tonight,” said Broten.
Harrison added, “Getting a section win is our season goal, and we know we can make that happen.”
Lundeen emphasized the team’s approach: “It’s all gas and no brakes — skate hard between every whistle and give it our all.”
Lawler noted, “As captains, we work to keep the team motivated and energized, and on nights like this, it pays off.”
With strong leadership and growing confidence, the StormHawks are proving to be a formidable opponent.
The StormHawks face a critical conference matchup against Metro West leader Benilde-St. Margaret’s on Jan. 10 in Chaska, with the winner claiming conference leadership. They then head on the road for the remainder of the regular season, traveling to Minneapolis on Jan. 13 and Waconia on Jan. 15.
