Community Update

Woodbury Blazing Stars scrimmage East Ridge girls’ hockey team
WOODBURY – Special Olympics poly hockey team, the Blazing Stars, squared off Wednesday against the East Ridge girls hockey team.

Excitement grew at the YMCA in Woodbury when former Wild player and East Ridge coach, Wes Walz, joined the girls. Scrimmages were held against each of the three Blazing Stars teams, which are grouped by ability.

Fox Sports North accompanied the East Ridge team to film the scrimmages for televised Hockey Day Minnesota 2014, presented by Wells Fargo in January 18.

“The girls were very good sports, and acted very professionally,” said Katie Hawke, Healthy Youth Program Director for the YMCA in Woodbury. “As they came in and out of the gym, they were letting their team mates know that the Blazing Stars could hold their own. Many members stopped watch, and the players loved getting interviewed on camera!”

Scores were not kept in the scrimmage.

The YMCA in Woodbury has been home to the Blazing Stars for nearly 15 years. The team started very small, and has grown to many volunteers, as well as poly hockey, aquatics, and basketball teams in the winter; softball, golf, and bocce teams in the summer, and recently, flag football in the fall.

The Blazing Stars Poly Hockey will compete next at the Area 12 tournament at Hastings High School on Saturday, January 11.

For more information, contact Katie Hawke at katie.hawke@ymcatwincities.org, or 651-739-6585. Blazing Stars registration and volunteer information can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/woodburyblazingstars/our-sports/poly-hocke....

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