As some area teams eagerly await their opening games, others have already hit the rink and the court. The North Shore Storm girls’ hockey team, with five games under their skates as of November 23rd, has taken an early lead in the season, while the boys’ team embarked on their journey with an away game in Hayward. Meanwhile, a couple of the girls’ basketball teams have encountered early challenges and are gearing up for crucial matchups to turn their seasons around quickly.
The North Shore Storm girls hockey team opened their season with a 5-1 victory against Duluth in Silver Bay. However, their luck shifted in Moose Lake, where they faced a tough 1-2 overtime loss.
On November 19th, the team clashed with Hibbing/Chisholm at the Sonju Arena in Two Harbors. Their opponents scored the first three goals, with one in the first period and two in the second. Yet, the Storm’s defense locked down, preventing any further goals.
Senior #18 Addison Bentler took a holding call, but sophomore #8 Berkley Hoff seized the moment, racing down the ice to score a short-handed goal, assisted by senior #7 Nina Thorson.
In the third period, Thorson found the net with an assist from Hoff. #10 Hayden Bright scored next at even strength, supported by fellow sophomores #9 Reese Costley and #19 Stella Lapointe.
Freshman #4 Hallie Komarek capitalized on a power play, breaking the tie with a goal that sealed a 4-3 victory, assisted by Lapointe and Thorson.
The team then traveled to face Litchfield/ Dassel-Cokato (LDC) on November 22nd. Costley set the pace, scoring early in the first period with assists from Bright and sophomore #3 Reagan Hogenson. The score was tied until Thorson scored in the second period with an assist from Hoff.
LDC equalized again in the third period, but junior #21 Sarah Stauber added an unassisted goal. Despite another LDC goal, Stauber and Komarek assisted Thorson’s second goal of the game, breaking the tie once more. The final score was 4-3.
Determined to maintain their momentum, the Storm pushed Hopkins/St. Louis Park into overtime during their November 23rd game at the St. Louis Park Recreation Center.
Their opponents scored twice early, but before the first period ended, Hoff and junior #20 Ella Peterson equalized the game, with assists from Thorson, Stauber, and sophomore #15 Guilia McGiffert. The game concluded in a tie after a scoreless overtime period.
The team is set to play Cloquet/Esko/ Carlton in an away game on December 3rd.
In boys’ hockey, the North Shore Storm team faced a challenging start, losing their opener on November 22nd at the Hayward Arena. The Hurricanes scored the only goal of the evening in the first period, in a game marked by numerous penalties. They played Superior on November 26th at the Sonju Arena (post-publication deadline. We’ll have highlights on this game next week).
The Two Harbors girls’ basketball team also faced a tough opener, losing to Duluth-Marshall at the Two Harbors High School with a score of 94-34. Duluth-Marshall dominated the first half, leading 65-14 by the third quarter. Although the Agates improved their scoring in the latter part of the game, the initial deficit was too significant to overcome.
Similarly, the Silver Bay girls’ basketball team struggled in their opening game against Littlefork-Big Falls High School on November 21st, with the Vikings securing a 54-9 victory.
The Mariners and the Agates basketball teams were set to face each other on November 25th, promising an exciting matchup. We’ll capture this game’s highlights in next week’s publication.
