TRIA Prep Salute: Chisago Lakes girls hockey returns to State
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A game after they knocked out the three-time defending Class A champs, Chisago Lakes girls hockey survived an overtime thriller in their Section Final. The Wildcats ride a wave of emotion into St Paul for their first State Girls Hockey Tournament appearance in nine years.
Click the video box on this page to see KSTP Sports’ TRIA Prep Salute to the Chisago Lakes Wildcats, and extended interviews about their dramatic Section Tourney run, their return to State after a nine-year absence and other tales and stories from this year’s campaign
The Wildcats’ 3-2 win over Breck in the Section 5A Semifinal gave them a season sweep of their two games against the reigning three-peaters. They had earned their first thrilling 3-2 win over Breck back in January’s season opener that the set the tone for the entire season.
But the peak drama for Chisago Lakes – so far – came when they needed an overtime goal from Dani Brunette to beat Orono for the Section Championship to earn their spot at State.
Brunette (12g-19a-31p) along with linemates Jenna Lawry (28-26-54) and Dani Burgen (24-25-49) form one of the state’s most dangerous offensive lines.
Chisago Lakes' Dani Brunette scores the Section Championship-winning goal against Orono that sent the Wildcats to their first State Tournament appearance in nine years[KSTP Sports]
Dubbed "The Three-Headed Monster" by their coaching staff, they did most of the damage in the Section Tournament, just as they’ve done all year. The line’s 64 goals represent 70-percent of the Wildcats’ scoring this season.
But Chisago Lakes’ success story hasn’t only been written in the offensive half of the rink this season.
Senior defenseman Dylan Grilz (5-5-10) and senior goalie Anna Hanson (17-2, 2.16 GAA) lead a solid defensive corps that only allowed opponents score more than two goals in five games this season – and more than three just three times.
Ranked #4 in Class A, the Wildcats head to State with an 18-2 record – the only losses to Blake and Gentry Academy – which delivered the fourth State Tourney appearance in program history. Their most recent appearance in 2012 was preceded by trips in 2010 and 2004.
The Wildcats are the 4-seed for the 2021 State Girls Hockey Tournament. They open play Friday evening at 8pm against 5-seed Mound-Westonka. You can watch the game live on 45TV in the Twin Cities area or stream it at Prep45.com anywhere.
See more about the State Girls Hockey Tournament on KSTP Sports’ State Tourney Central page.