Chaska’s 4-3 overtime victory over Minneapolis a season ago was the second time these teams have gone to overtime in as many years. Both enter Tuesday’s game with 11 wins and aim to break through with a dominant victory.
The Hawks' power play has been humming at 35 percent through a four-game winning streak in which Chaska (11-6, 3-2) has scored on six of 17 man advantages. Minnesota commit Mike Koster (10-26-36) has been the power play’s linchpin, tallying six goals and six assists.
Koster’s presence isn’t limited to just the power play. He scored the overtime game-winner on a penalty kill last season.
Minneapolis, ranked No. 10 in Class 1A, ended a five-game homestand with a 3-2 loss against Holy Angels last Saturday. Minneapolis (11-8) went 3-2 in that span after giving up another single-goal loss to St. Cloud (4-3 on Jan. 13). Jacob Erickson (25-13-38) posted 10 points during his team’s run at Parade Ice Garden.