MINNEAPOLIS -- The Shakopee Sabers scored two goals in the third period, the second on an open net, to defeat Orono 2-0 in the Schwan Cup Red Division girls' hockey championship game Wednesday at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis.

The teams were scoreless through two periods until Andrea Scanlan scored for the Sabers at 10:41 of the third period, with an assist by Alyssa Hawes. Nicole Anderson scored on an empty net to ice the game at 16:49.

The Shakopee girls hockey team will face Orono today at 5 p.m. for the championship of the Schwan Cup Red Division.

The game will take place at Ridder Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

Shakopee reached the title game by defeating Totino-Grace 4-2 on Monday and Mound-Westonka 4-1 on Tuesday.

Orono defeated Mankato West 6-3 and Coon Rapids 8-3 to reach the title game.

Canterbury Park's request for a 62-day meet in 2009 -- five days shorter than this year's -- was approved by the Minnesota Racing Commission Thursday.

The meet starts on May 15 and runs through Aug. 30.

Canterbury President Randy Sampson said the shorter meet was dictated by economic conditions. Though track revenue declined, the Shakopee track in 2008 had the second-highest average daily attendance since the track reopened in 1995.

Shakopee junior Ashley Wittman has been named the 2008-09 Gatorade Minnesota Volleyball Player of the Year. She is the first Shakopee student to be chosen for the award.

The 6-1 outside hitter recorded 655 kills, 434 digs and finsihed with a .436 hitting percentage this season for the 32-2 Sabers, leading the team to their second straight Class 3A state title.

A first team All-State selection in 2007 and 2008, Wittman also made 55 blocks and served 33 aces this fall. She anchored the Shakopee to a 59-3 win-loss record the past two seasons.

Canterbury Park will host Claiming Crown for the ninth time in the event's 11-year history when the one-of-a-kind program for thoroughbred racing's "blue-collar" performers is held there next summer on Saturday, July 25.

Patterned after the Breeders' Cup, the $600,000 Claiming Crown consists of seven races offered at varying distances on both dirt and turf.

Even though the official start of the Minnesota snowmobile season was Dec. 1, the state’s Department of Natural Resources says it could be a few weeks before trails will be ready for riding.

The Shakopee High School boys' and girls' hockey teams invite you to the girls' hockey game Dec. 2 and to the boys' hockey game Dec. 6.

For every toy you bring to donate to Toys For Tots, one person in your family or group will be admitted free to the game.

This is an amazing opportunity to help others and see some great hockey action at the same time. Game times are 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. for the girls' game and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for the boys' game.

There will be an appreciation party for everyone who volunteered before or during the recent state Class B and C baseball tournament in Shakopee.

The tournament was held at Joe Schleper Stadium.

The party will be at the Shakopee American Legion Club on Saturday, Nov. 29 beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Canterbury Park has proposed a 62-day racing season in 2009, five fewer days than this year’s meet.