Huge challenge looms for Wildcats

The Dodge County Wildcats have a big challenge coming into this week, as they’ll face three teams that are in the upper echelon of Class AA. With Breck (ranked second), Chaska (10th) and Eden Prairie (fifth) on the schedule, it’s a chance for the Wildcats to show that they can play with some of the top teams in the state.

However, the Wildcats had to get past a pair of solid opponents last week as they faced off with Maple Grove and North Wright County.

Maple Grove presented a challenge of its own against the Wildcats as it entered the game sixth in Class AA. With numerous Division I prospects, it could be easy for Dodge County to be intimidated, but the Wildcats had a solid performance against a quality opponent.

After a scoreless first period, Dodge County fell behind on a Maia Martinez power play goal. The Wildcats answered with Kayla Schubert getting a feed from Katie Robinson for her first goal of the year at the 10:52 mark to tie the game.

“We played really good hockey,” Dodge County Head Coach Jeremy Gunderson said of the game plan. “They kind of took it to us early, but we did a great job adapting to their fore-check.”

Olivia Smallbrock would give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead with her first goal of the year five minutes into the third period and it appeared that Dodge County could pull off the upset after Andrea Kunz went to the box for hooking at the 4:50 mark.