---

The Wildcat boys’ hockey team is playing a tough schedule this season and were winless in the early going.  Last week, they got their first two wins of the season – both by shutout.
 
Chisago Lakes 4, Cambridge-Isanti 0
Jack Bakken scored twice, and goalie Jack Hanson stopped all 24 shots he faced and even had an assist as the Wildcats shut out the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets Thursday, January 5 at Chisago Lakes High School.

Bakken opened the scoring with a power play goal five minutes into the first period.  Hanson started the play and Nate Bluhm picked up the other assist.  Andrew Swanson put the Wildcats up 2-0 with another power play goal midway through the second period, assisted by Drake Thyen and Ben Kerkow.  Bakken’s second goal of the game came a couple of minutes into the third period, making the score 3-0.  Dylan Dassner and Nik Jinks had the assists.  And Cullen Dorcas scored the game’s final goal at 10:47 of the third period, assisted by Kerkow and Dustin Palewicz.

The Wildcats certainly took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring on two of their four chances.  And they had just 22 shots on goal but made the most of their opportunities.
 
Chisago Lakes 3, Alexandria 0
Goalie Jack Hanson stopped all 29 shots he faced from the Alexandria Cardinals to lead the Wildcats to a 3-0 win Saturday, January 7 at the Runestone Community Center in Alexandria.  The shutout was the sconed on in a row for Hanson and the Wildcats.

Cullen Dorcas got the Wildcats on the board just four minutes into the first period, assisted by Drake Thyen and Ben Kerkow.  After a scoreless second period, Kerkow scored an insurance goal just 48 seconds into the third period, with Jack Bakken picking up the assist.  Halfway through the period, Brock Thompson scored to give the Wildcats a bit more breathing room, assisted by Dustin Palewicz.  The Wildcats special teams came up big, killing all five Cardinal power play opportunities.
 
Hockey Hullaballoo
The Wildcats (2-4-1) opened the season with a 2-2 tie at home against the Monticello Moose.  Tonight, they will travel to Moose Sherritt Ice Arena in Monticello for a 7 p.m. rematch with the Moose.  On Saturday, the Wildcats have a 3 p.m. matchup with the South St. Paul Packers at Doug Woog Ice Arena.  And the Wildcats will return home next Thursday, January 14 to play the Princeton Tigers at 7 p.m.

---