Chuck Fitzer
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‘Cats hang 16 goals up in two blowout wins
The Wildcat boys’ hockey team scored four times in a five-minute stretch in the first period and went on to shut out the Southwest Christian/Richfield Stars 8-0 Tuesday, January 7 at Richfield Ice Arena. Max Koch, Ben Kerkow, and Max Bobrowski each had three assists for the Wildcats. Jacob Kletti, Austin Slettom, and Landon Kerkow scored two goals apiece. Alex Bever and Bobrowski each scored once. Kletti had two assists to go along with his two goals. And picking up one assist apiece were Colton Whiterabbit, Bever, and Slettom. The Wildcats came bursting out of the gate, outshooting the Star 16-5 in the first period. They went on to have a 34-21 shot advantage for the game. Corbin Shandley stopped all 21 shots he faced to pick up the shutout.
Sports
CL grounded in triangular
The Wildcat grapplers took part in the Monticello Triangular last Friday, January 10. They fell 65-10 to Becker, ranked seventh in Class AA, and lost 69-18 to Monticello. Connor Frederixon (215) pinned Deegan Schmidt of Becker at 2:53 and won by forfeit against Monticello. Frederixon, 16-2 overall this season, is riding a 12-match winning streak. William Naatz (285) was the only other Wildcat wrestler to win both of his matches. He won by a 14-4 major decision over Aiden Goley of Becker and pinned Bradley Peterson of Monticello at 4:17. And Lucas Yang (127), after being pinned by Boston Kuschel of Becker six seconds before the end of the first period, came back to win by fall over Jaron Swanson of Monticello at 1:22.
Sports
Two tough teams send CL to losses
Mckenzie Perry scored four goals to lead Delano/Rockford to a 6-2 win over the Wildcats girls’ hockey team on Tuesday, January 7 at the Delano Area Sports Arena. Perry scored twice in the first period as Delano took a 3-0 lead. Joee Westland scored a power play goal at exactly the halfway point of the second period, assisted by Allie Smothers and Nora DeVries, to cut the Delano lead to 3-1. But Delano responded with a power play goal of their own just over a minute later to stretch their lead back to three goals. Kali Hanson next scored a shorthanded goal a minute later to cut the Delano lead to 4-2. Lexi Smothers got the single assist on Hanson’s goal. But Perry put one in the back of the net with 54 seconds left in the second period to earn her hat trick and increase the Delano lead to 5-2. Perry added her fourth goal of the game in the third period to make the final score 6-2.
Sports
Wildcats can’t overcome second-ranked Dodge County
The Wildcats girls’ hockey team played the second-ranked Dodge County Wildcats for the second time in a little over a week, and the results weren’t much different from the first meeting. Chisago Lakes put up a good fight but found it difficult to score goals and were shut out 4-0. Dodge County outshot Chisago Lakes 40-16 for the game. Chisago Lakes goalie Evi Reedy performed well, stopping 36 of the 40 shots she faced.
Sports
Familiar name spoils New Years Eve showdown for CL
Chisago Lakes Arena featured fireworks on New Year’s Eve, well before midnight, as the Wildcat boys’ hockey team tangled with local rivals, the Forest Lake Rangers. Five times, one of the teams scored to take a one-goal lead, and all five times the other team scored to tie the game. But early in the third period, the Rangers scored to take another one-goal lead and the Wildcats did not respond.
Sports
Pommier makes a statement at Maple Grove tourney
The Vikings lost both duals at the Mora Triangular last Thursday, December 12. They fell to Milaca-Faith Christian 41-26, then succumbed to the host team 50-21. Jack Baker (121), Aiden Schwartz (139) and Ethan Kester (152) each won both of their individual matches, accounting for 33 of the Vikings’ 47 points on the day.
Sports
‘Cats come back versus Pine City
Trailing 3-1 early in the second period against Pine City, the Wildcats scored five unanswered goals and went on to snuff out the Dragons 6-4 Tuesday, December 10 at Chisago Lakes Arena. Playmaker Landon Kerkow led the way for the Wildcats with four assists. The Wildcats dominated play for most of the game, outshooting Pine City 39-19.
Sports
Forfeits go NB’s way for win over CL
Years ago, a North Branch versus Chisago Lakes dual was a must-see event. And while the fortunes of both programs have had highs and lows since that time, there is some positive buzz around both programs. Both programs will likely have three or more state entrants this year. For the Wildcats, the possibility that that Logan Bender (285) will be their first two-time state champion is exciting. And for the Vikings, the return of Evan Pommier (172), who has missed most of the past three or four years with injuries and has been dominating in his return so far for his senior year, has been a long time coming.
Sports
Vikes get underway at Zimmerman Quad
In addition to wrestling – and beating – the Chisago Lakes Wildcats at the Zimmerman Quadrangular (reported separately in this week’s Press), the Vikings wrestled two other teams at Zimmerman. They lost to Delano 50-20, and took the host team, Zimmerman, down to the wire before losing 35-33. The quad took place Thursday, December 5.
Sports