Cardinals score three goals in the second period

On a wintry November night, Chippewa Falls hosted Verona to start the 2024/25 season.

Chippewa Falls and Verona entered the game with most of their top scorers gone from last season. The first period looked like two teams playing their first game of the season. Neither team established much sustained offensive zone pressure nor created many quality scoring chances.

Each team had one penalty in the first period. Chippewa’s senior D Sam Hebert was the first player to be called for a penalty three minutes into the period. Chippewa’s penalty kill was up to the task and Verona was unable to generate much offense.

About three minutes later it was Verona’s turn in the box when senior Sean Hornberger was called for interference. Verona’s penalty kill did its job and Chippewa was unable to get a puck into the net.

The first period ended tied 0-0. Verona had a 9 to 6 shot advantage.

In the second period Verona’s Sean Hornberger was called for holding about one minute in. Chippewa Falls did not score on the Hornberger penalty, but that penalty was the first of three in just a couple minutes on Verona and it set the tone for the period. Verona was on its heels most of the second period.

Verona’s next penalty was three minutes into the 2nd period when Oliver Heckelsmiller was called for interference. Chippewa scored about ten seconds later when senior Jackson LeMay, with the scorer’s touch, put the puck in the net and gave Chippewa a 1-0 lead.

Chippewa kept the heat on Verona and scored to take a 2-0 lead on an even strength goal five minutes later when Sam Johnson scored his first goal in high school hockey with assists by his freshman classmates, Easton Skelton and Dane Krista.

Chippewa extended its lead to three goals about three minutes later when Jackson LeMay tenaciously forechecked setting up senior Ethan Foiles to score an even strength goal with assists by cousins, freshman Dane Krista and senior Brett Krista.

Chippewa Falls dominated Verona in the second period by outshooting them 18-6. The second period ended with Chippewa Falls up 3-0.

The third period started with Verona down by three goals and desperate to get back into the game. About eight minutes into the third period Verona finally got on the scoreboard to cut Chippewa’s lead to 3-1 when junior Boden Brotzman’s determination and effort earned him an assist on Sean Hornberger’s goal at the midpoint of the third period.

Verona was still down by two goals with about two minutes remaining, so they pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. Verona had some offensive zone time with the puck with the extra attacker but were unable to score.

In the final seconds of the third period, senior Ethan Foiles sealed Chippewa’s victory with an empty net goal.

Chippewa Falls defeated Verona 4-1. Chippewa’s senior goalie Derek Strong finished with 21 saves. Verona’s junior goalie Parker Wang finished with 23 saves.