ALBANY - The make-shift hockey net in the garage of the Knauf sisters, Haley and Alyssa's home in Albany has served them well in an effort to hone their accuracy shooting shots on goal.
The sisters are making a name for themselves in their first year of prep hockey with the Rock County Fury girls hockey team. Albany High School sophomore Haley Knauf is fifth on the team in points (18) with 12 goals and six assists. Freshman Alyssa Knauf is sixth on the team in points (16) with nine goals and seven assists.
"Off-ice conditioning has always played a role for me," Haley said. "We can always shoot in the garage. It helps us in the third periods and overtimes. I just love that it (hockey) is different. It's not like any other sport through school. It's on ice."
The Fury (18-3-2, 9-1 Badger Conference), ranked No. 4 in the Wisconsin Prep Hockey state poll, have 12 shutouts this season. The team has wrapped up the Badger Conference championship and are seeking a second trip to the state tournament in the past three years with one game left before the playoffs begin. The Fury received the top seed in their sectional and host Mauston at the Janesville Ice Arena Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.
"I think it (high school girls hockey) has exceeded my expectations," Haley said. "Coming in as a sophomore for the first time playing high school hockey, I didn't know what to expect. It's gone better than I thought it would. I feel like we can make it to the state tournament."
Hockey is not a new adventure for the Knauf sisters. Alyssa started playing hockey when she was 4-years-old and Haley was 5. Both sisters played hockey through the Monroe Avalanche Bantam A team last year and also on the co-ed U14 Team Wisconsin team for about 30 games. This past fall until the high school season started, Haley played on a U16 Team Wisconsin team and Alyssa played on a U14 Team Wisconsin team, with each playing about 30 games.
"It just really made me realize how competitive girls hockey can get," Haley said. "Since it's AAA, that intensity got me ready for varsity hockey."
Alyssa enjoyed getting a jump on the varsity campaign with a 30-game Team Wisconsin season that started in September and ended in November.
"Team Wisconsin really helps you because you get all of the extra games and practice in," she said. "It really prepares you for the season."
Neither of Knauf's parents played hockey or had a background in the sport at first. Alyssa was attracted to the speed of the game and the camaraderie when she was 5 and played on the Avalanche Mite team.
"When I was on the Mite team that went to state when I was 5, that is when I knew I wanted to play hockey," she said. "I like hockey because of the competitiveness, speed and how close you are with your teammates. That is what got me to love it."
The sibling connection on the ice is evident in every Fury game. Since they have been playing hockey together for 10 years, the communication between the two has been solid.
"We know each other so well," Alyssa said. "We know what plays we are going to do because we have grown up doing them."
They also provide sounding boards for each other on tips on the ice during games and intense moments.
"It's nice to have someone you can always talk to," Alyssa said. "If there is something we are struggling with we can always discuss it and we can do it on the ice to improve each other."
Alyssa praises her sister for her skills on the ice. She knows that by pushing each other, it makes the team stronger.
"Her speed and aggressiveness and ability to stick handle and have really hard shots," she said of Haley are her strong traits as a player.
Haley sees similar traits in her sister, Alyssa. She's not surprised by her success as a freshman.
"She's always aggressive and works hard in the corners and puts herself in the best scoring opportunities," Haley said.
The sibling bond goes beyond the ice. As a team, the Fury have displayed a connection as a team with depth on each of its lines.
"We have a lot of seniors on our team," Haley said. "I feel like they have been a great influence for Alyssa and I. Our lines have good chemistry. All of our lines have been working really well together. We are just trying to score as many goals in our first season of high school hockey for them."
The Fury have about a 19 percent success rate of scoring on the power play. That's one area, Haley sees the team can improve on.
"I think we really need to focus on our power play," she said. "Our power play percentage is not as high as we would like it to be."
Before every game, the Knauf sisters listen to a lot of 1980s rock in their car to get ready for the intensity.
"Any song that is fast and has a good guitar solo in it," Haley said.
The sisters are making a name for themselves in their first year of prep hockey with the Rock County Fury girls hockey team. Albany High School sophomore Haley Knauf is fifth on the team in points (18) with 12 goals and six assists. Freshman Alyssa Knauf is sixth on the team in points (16) with nine goals and seven assists.
"Off-ice conditioning has always played a role for me," Haley said. "We can always shoot in the garage. It helps us in the third periods and overtimes. I just love that it (hockey) is different. It's not like any other sport through school. It's on ice."
The Fury (18-3-2, 9-1 Badger Conference), ranked No. 4 in the Wisconsin Prep Hockey state poll, have 12 shutouts this season. The team has wrapped up the Badger Conference championship and are seeking a second trip to the state tournament in the past three years with one game left before the playoffs begin. The Fury received the top seed in their sectional and host Mauston at the Janesville Ice Arena Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.
"I think it (high school girls hockey) has exceeded my expectations," Haley said. "Coming in as a sophomore for the first time playing high school hockey, I didn't know what to expect. It's gone better than I thought it would. I feel like we can make it to the state tournament."
Hockey is not a new adventure for the Knauf sisters. Alyssa started playing hockey when she was 4-years-old and Haley was 5. Both sisters played hockey through the Monroe Avalanche Bantam A team last year and also on the co-ed U14 Team Wisconsin team for about 30 games. This past fall until the high school season started, Haley played on a U16 Team Wisconsin team and Alyssa played on a U14 Team Wisconsin team, with each playing about 30 games.
"It just really made me realize how competitive girls hockey can get," Haley said. "Since it's AAA, that intensity got me ready for varsity hockey."
Alyssa enjoyed getting a jump on the varsity campaign with a 30-game Team Wisconsin season that started in September and ended in November.
"Team Wisconsin really helps you because you get all of the extra games and practice in," she said. "It really prepares you for the season."
Neither of Knauf's parents played hockey or had a background in the sport at first. Alyssa was attracted to the speed of the game and the camaraderie when she was 5 and played on the Avalanche Mite team.
"When I was on the Mite team that went to state when I was 5, that is when I knew I wanted to play hockey," she said. "I like hockey because of the competitiveness, speed and how close you are with your teammates. That is what got me to love it."
The sibling connection on the ice is evident in every Fury game. Since they have been playing hockey together for 10 years, the communication between the two has been solid.
"We know each other so well," Alyssa said. "We know what plays we are going to do because we have grown up doing them."
They also provide sounding boards for each other on tips on the ice during games and intense moments.
"It's nice to have someone you can always talk to," Alyssa said. "If there is something we are struggling with we can always discuss it and we can do it on the ice to improve each other."
Alyssa praises her sister for her skills on the ice. She knows that by pushing each other, it makes the team stronger.
"Her speed and aggressiveness and ability to stick handle and have really hard shots," she said of Haley are her strong traits as a player.
Haley sees similar traits in her sister, Alyssa. She's not surprised by her success as a freshman.
"She's always aggressive and works hard in the corners and puts herself in the best scoring opportunities," Haley said.
The sibling bond goes beyond the ice. As a team, the Fury have displayed a connection as a team with depth on each of its lines.
"We have a lot of seniors on our team," Haley said. "I feel like they have been a great influence for Alyssa and I. Our lines have good chemistry. All of our lines have been working really well together. We are just trying to score as many goals in our first season of high school hockey for them."
The Fury have about a 19 percent success rate of scoring on the power play. That's one area, Haley sees the team can improve on.
"I think we really need to focus on our power play," she said. "Our power play percentage is not as high as we would like it to be."
Before every game, the Knauf sisters listen to a lot of 1980s rock in their car to get ready for the intensity.
"Any song that is fast and has a good guitar solo in it," Haley said.
