The Chaska boys’ hockey team has battled all season. With the puck not always bouncing their way, the Hawks (2–18–1 overall, 0–10 conference) looked to gain momentum on Feb. 5 as the regular season wound down, hosting St. Paul Academy–Summit School (1–19) on Senior Night.
This marked the final home game for seniors Colton Wacker, Benett Hallman, Tysen Herrmann, Isaac Anderson, Sam Swanson, Bridger Kolesar and Mason Gutowsky.
The Hawks came out skating with energy and showed no signs of the previous night’s 5–2 loss to Waconia.
They moved the puck well early, using long, accurate passes that consistently found their mark. Mason Gutowsky (Sr.) opened the scoring at 7:16 of the first period, assisted by Sam Swanson (Sr.) and Alex Bardykin (So.).
After establishing the pace of play, Tyler Hromatka (Jr.) extended the Hawks’ lead to 2–0 at 8:53 of the second period, with assists from Swanson and Jake Campbell (So.).
St. Paul responded quickly, scoring just seven seconds after the ensuing faceoff to cut the lead to 2–1. One minute and 36 seconds later, Hromatka struck again for his second goal of the night, assisted by Campbell and Justin Greathouse (So.).
With five seconds remaining in the second period, Greathouse added a goal of his own, with assists from Campbell and Hromatka. Chaska controlled play by keeping the puck out of the corners, generating open ice opportunities in the middle, and managing the blue line effectively to create consistent shots on goal.
Leading 4–1 entering the third period, the Hawks played with confidence and did not let up.
Greathouse notched his second goal of the game at 4:34, assisted by Hromatka and Wyatt Connors (Fr.). Alex Bardykin scored at 11:47 with assists from Kolesar and Gutowsky. Sam Swanson capped the scoring at 14:34 of the third period, with assists from Tysen Herrmann and Gutowsky.
Goalie Frank Petz faced 20 shots from St. Paul, while Chaska fired 47 shots on the Spartans’ goalie.
Tyler Hromatka led the Hawks with two goals and two assists, bringing his season total to 15 goals and 15 assists. Justin Greathouse recorded two goals and an assist, Mason Gutowsky added a goal and two assists, and Jake Campbell tallied three assists. Campbell now leads the Hawks in assists on the season with 20.
After the win, Coach Siiro shared, “I think this game showed the progress we’ve made. We may not have gotten the goals in the last few games, but everyone is working hard and we got the win. We’re a young team, and we’ve been focusing on developing as a group. Our seniors have been great in helping the coaches bring their teammates along.”
Senior co-captains Bridger Kolesar and Sam Swanson spoke with CCLN following the game.
“This is a great team and there’s so much excitement in the locker room,” Kolesar said. “The record is what it is, but as captains we carry our heads high, and so do the guys.”
Swanson added, “The best part of this season has been helping the younger guys with their game. It’s faster and more intense, and some of them have looked to us for insight on how to handle that.”
Both captains expressed optimism for the team’s future and pride in being part of its growth.
The Hawks have three regular season games remaining — Feb. 7, 10 and 12 — before section play begins.
