From Staff Reports
January 05, 2007
www.startribune.com

Roundup:

Senior center Katharine Chute scored the game's first two goals and set up her younger sister, Margaret, for the fourth as visiting Blake defeated previously unbeaten Breck 4-0 on Thursday in Tri-Metro Conference girls' hockey.

The Bears (13-4-0), rated No. 1 in Class 1A, took a 1-0 lead in the first period on Katherine Chute's power-play goal at 6 minutes, 24 seconds and then scored three more goals in the second period.

Both teams went into the game 3-0 in conference play.

"This was a big win for us," Blake coach Brano Stankovsky said. "We were at their rink. They were all juiced and playing well."

Breck, rated No. 5, had won its first 16 games this season, but Blake has always been a nemesis for the Mustangs. The Bears have won 22 games in a row against Breck since Jan. 23, 1996.

In this game Blake, which looked quicker, outshot the Mustangs 31-17.

"We have to use our speed," Stankovsky said. "As long as we keep away from a pushing and shoving game, we can play with them."

Especially when Katharine Chute has the puck. Her two goals Thursday gave her a team-high 24, with 13 assists.

"What makes her unique is her tight turn radius," Stankovsky said. "With her power turns, she gets quick separation and that makes her dangerous."

Sophomore winger Sally Komarek set up both of Katharine Chute's goals on centering passes from the side of the net to the slot, where Chute one-timed the puck home.

The second goal came at 7:33 of the second period.

Senior defender Laura Komarek made it 3-0 Blake at 13:09 on a breakaway and then Margaret Chute, a sophomore wing, scored at 14:50, after a backhanded, whirling pass from her sister.

ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ

Boys' hockey

• Senior forward David Brandt scored his second goal on a slapshot just inside the blue line 1:53 into overtime, helping Farmington overcome a two-goal third-period deficit to beat Red Wing 4-3.

• Dan Garrity's second goal, 2:35 into overtime, gave North St. Paul a 3-2 victory over Simley. Teammate Ryan Anderson tied it with 44 seconds left.

Girls' basketball

• Senior guard Jenny Hooper scored 12 of her 18 points in the second half as Tartan upset Class 4A, No. 9 Hopkins 55-54. The Royals have lost four of their past seven games.

• Junior forward Brianna Mastey scored 38 points, including the 1,000th of her career, leading Class 3A, No. 2 Becker past Buffalo 65-46.

Boys' basketball

• Armstrong senior guard Alex Rubin has a knack for the dramatic. Rubin, who finished with 27 points, sank a 60-foot shot at the buzzer, giving the Class 4A, No. 7 Falcons a 56-55 victory over fourth-rated Shakopee in a nonconference matchup. Senior center Chris Cronin gave Shakopee a 55-53 lead with a basket with 10 seconds remaining. The Sabers had a chance to increase their lead, but missed two free throws with one second left.