After tough losses, NP girls earn a ‘W’

After a much-needed win, New Prague High School’s girls’ hockey team drop a pair of tough setbacks in the past week.

Despite the losses, coach Madison Drazan sees her team continuing to work hard and putting forth the effort. Drazan wants her team to continue to press for the gritty goals, the type of goals where forwards bang a rebound by a goalie who just made the initial save.

“They’re not the prettiest, but we’ve got to be ready to score the ugly goals,” Drazan said.

The Trojans faced Bloomington Jefferson Tuesday after the newspaper’s press deadline. New Prague will be in Farmington for a tournament over the Christmas holiday. The Trojans open the tournament against Farmington Dec. 27, 5:30 p.m., at Schmitz-Maki Arena.

Waconia 3, Trojans 1 The Trojans tied the score, 1-1, in the second period of the Dec. 16 game when Callie Kroska scored at 6:56. Aftyn Anderson and Autumn OIson assisted on the power play tally.

But the Wildcats rallied and scored twice in the third period for the win.

Trojans 3, Minneapolis 2 A goal late in the third period gave the Trojans a hard-fought win over Minneapolis Tuesday evening, Dec. 12, at the New Prague Community Center.

Knocking in a rebound, Ella Hansen scored with 1:04 left in the final period, breaking a 2-2 tie. The Novas had tied the score at 2-2 early in the third period. As the final period ticked toward a looming overtime, the Trojans cautiously attacked the Minneapolis end of the rink. A shot, a rebound and a pass to Hansen led to the game-winner.

But before New Prague could celebrate its second win of the season, the Trojans had to...

To see more on this story pick up the December 21, 2023 print edition of The New Prague Times.