The final part of the 2017 girls basketball section preview focuses on the eight Class A sections.
In Section 1, the East Subsection final has the fifth seeded Fillmore Central Falcons, who upset the top seeded Rushford-Peterson Trojans taking on the third seeded Kingsland Knights. Semifinal action in the West Subsection pits the defending Class A champion Goodhue Wildcats against the Bethlehem Academy Cardinals. The Grand Meadow Superlarks and the Lyle/Pacelli Athletics play in the bottom bracket. Can head coach Josh Wieme lead the Wildcats to a return trip up Highway 52 to play for another state title?
Going to Section 2, the top seed in the North Subsection is the Cedar Mountain/Comfrey Cougars and the Sleepy Eye Indians have the number two seed. The South Subsection has one of the state's top teams in Class A, the Mankato Loyola Crusaders as the top seed. Occupying the second seed is Granada Huntley-East Chain-Truman and Martin Luther. from New Ulm. There are going to be a lot of happy people in those communities if they clinch a state tournament berth.
Section 3 has the Central Minnesota Christian Blue Jays go up against the top seeded Canby Lancers in the North Subsection with the winner taking on the winner between the Wabasso Rabbits and the Lac Qui Parle Valley Eagles. In the South Subsection, the top seeded Red Rock Central Falcons try to slay the fifth seeded Adrian Dragons. The defending section champion Southwest Minnesota Christian face the Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots in the second semifinal game.
The Maranatha Christian Academy Mustangs have been to every state tournament in the 2010s and this year could be the eighth straight year for the top seeded Brooklyn Park school in Section 4. But it won't be easy for Maranatha since there are seven other schools that could dethrone the Mustangs section dominance. The eighth seeded Christian Life Academy are on a 19 game winning streak. Never heard of Christian Life Academy? The school is based in Farmington and plays in the Twin Cities Athletic Conference. Then there are a couple of teams that could meet in the quarterfinals the fourth seeded Heritage Christian Academy Eagles and the fifth seeded Mayer Lutheran Crusaders. Also in the hunt are the sixth seeded Christ's Household of Faith Lions and the West Lutheran Warriors. Look out for the second seeded Minneapolis North Polars and the third seeded Lester Prairie/Holy Trinity Bulldogs, they could face the Mustangs in the Section 4A final. Keep an eye on this section. Can Maranatha bring home another trophy or will someone end their reign as section champs.
Another interesting race can be found in the Section 5 North Subsection. The Cromwell-Wright Cardinals are the top seed and there are three other teams with identical 21-5 records. They are the second seeded Menagha Braves, the third seeded Pine River-Backus Tigers and the fourth seeded Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Wolves. In the South Subsection, the top seed is the Kimball Cubs. Their closest competitor is the second seed Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars. It could be a five team race for a trip to Minneapolis.
Now to Section 6, where the top seed in the North Subsection is a familiar one, the Ada-Borup Cougars. Head coach David smart has built a powerhouse in northwestern Minnesota that also includes one of the most unique pepbands in the state under the direction of Richard Tuttle since the members perform original material. The Cougars have not lost a game since the season opener to Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton. Their biggest threat can be found in the South Subsection in the top seeded and unbeaten Wheaton/Herman-Norcross Warriors. They have had only two close games all season with a seven point win over Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton and a six point victory over the second seeded Parkers Prairie Bulldogs in December. Don't count out the third seeded Underwood Rockets, winners of 11 straight games.
Head north to Section 7 where the Floodwood Polar Bears are the top seed in Subsection 1. Over in Subsection 2, the top seed is the top ranked team in Class A, the Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers. Jeff Buffeta's bunch has only lost one game this season, losing to the Roseau Rams 80-67 on February 3. This could be the year the Rangers have a great shot at bringing the championship trophy to the Iron Range but first they have to get past the second seeded Bigfork Huskies.
Here's the final section to be examined, Section 8. The East subsection's top seed is the Red Lake Warriors. It could be a big month for the Red Lake Indian Reservation since both the boys and girls team are having outstanding seasons. The Warriors are vying for their first trip to Minneapolis but first they have to get past the second seeded Fosston Greyhounds. In the West Subsection, the top seed is the Stephen-Argyle Storm. Can the girls bring success to the the two towns just like their nine man football counterparts who have won seven state titles? First they have to get past the second seeded Sacred Heart Eagles and the third seeded team that's also nicknamed the Eagles, Red Lake Falls. The Eagles made four trips to state from 1996 to 1999 under Kris Kennett. Interesting note. Her husband Brad is the high school principal. Now Brian Remick is at the helm and can he lead Red Lake Falls back to the state tournament.
There you have it. There four section previews for each class. Get ready for the plot to thicken in each section.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
2017 Class AA Girls Basketball Section Preview
As the Class AAA & AAAA sections get underway this week, The Road to The Barn is already underway in Class AA. Here's who is left standing and who are the top seeds in the eight Class AA sections.
In Section 1, the defending Class AA champion Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs are the top seed but it could be a tough road for P-E-M as there are several teams that could keep the black and gold clad fans from making the trip up Highway 52. The second seeded Hayfield Vikings face the 10th seeded Zumbrota-Mazeppa Cougars, who upset seventh seeded Dover-Eyota. Third seeded Rochester Lourdes, with Aaron Berg taking over the coaching reins from Myron Glass who retired after last season take on the sixth seeded Caledonia Warriors. There's also the fifth seeded Pine Island Panthers facing the Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights. Keep you eye on this section. There's a lot of exciting basketball to be played at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.
Section 2 has the makings of a three team race between the top seeded and the defending section champion Norwood-Young America Raiders and the second seeded St. Peter Saints in the north subsection and top seeded NRHEG in the south subsection. Raiders head coach Gary Lembcke has lost only one game this season, a two point defeat to St. Peter. But watch out for the third seeded Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers and the fourth seeded Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Thunderbirds who have a 14 game winning streak.
There are a couple of red hot teams in the Section 3 north subsection including the top seeded New London-Spicer Wildcats and the second seeded Minnewaska Lakers. There's also third seeded Morris/Chokio Alberta with an eight game winning streak. In the south section, it ould come down to battle between the top seeded Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Panthers and the second seeded Pipestone Arrows. First, the Arrows have to get past the third seeded Minneota Vikings. Southwest Minnesota has some outstanding basketball to go before a trip to Minneapolis.
In Section 4, the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks are the top seed and head coach Josh Thurow has a team with only one senior that could make a return trip to state. But look out for the second seeded St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders, the third seeded Columbia Heights Hylanders and the fourth seeded Minneapolis Edison Tommies, winners of nine straight games. Could Tommie fans be celebrating in northeast Minneapolis if they meet the Redhawks in the Section 4AA final at Anoka Ramsey Community College March 10 and dethrone Minnehaha Academy?
The top seed in Section 5 is the Watertown-Mayer Royals as they are three wins away from their first trip to state since Marissa Janning hit shots from Highway 25 to lead them to their last trip in 2010. But there's a hot team on the Royals path, the second seeded Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles who are on a nine game winning streak. The third seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire are the defending section champions and have a shot at returning to Minneapolis. Two other teams in the mix are the fourth seeded Southwest Christian Stars and the fifth seeded Litchfield Dragons.
Section 6 has some talented teams that could take home the championship trophy. The top seed in the east subsection is the unbeaten Rush City Tigers. Head coach Joe Nelson has a solid young team with no seniors and a chance to head to their first state tournament. But before they can make the trip down I-35, they will have to battle the second seeded St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders and the third seeded Pine City Dragons. The west subsection is led by the top seeded Sauk Centre Mainstreeters, winners of 24 straight games Head coach Scott Bergman has built a solid program that has played in each state tournament this decade except 2014. But don't count out the second seeded Albany Huskies and the third seeded Osakis Silverstreaks. The Silverstreaks have won seven straight games and have a shot at the gold medals. An outstanding section that should have some great basketball in central Minnesota. Who will bring home the championship trophy.
Up north to Section 7 where the Esko Eskomos are the top seed in Subsection 1. Also in the hunt is the second seeded Pequot Lakes Patriots. In Subsection 2, the top seed is the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers who hope to make their first trip to state. Duluth Marshall is best known for their successful boys hockey program but this year it could be the girls basketball team's turn to play for a state title. First they have to get past the second seeded International Falls Broncos and the third seeded Two Harbors Agates. The Agates are also vying for their first trip to Minneapolis and they have a shot at becoming the first North Shore team to qualify for state since Cook County in 2001.
Wrapping up the Class AA preview is Section 8 with the top ranked team in Class AA the Roseau Rams the number one seed. They've been playing great basketball in a community that's been rich in hockey tradition. This year, the girls basketball team can add to the town's history with the Borowicz Sisters, Kacie, Kiley and Katie leading the way for head coach Kelsey Didrikson. Looking to derail the Rams chances of a state tournament berth are the second seeded Staples-Motley Cardinals and the third seeded Barnesville Trojans.
Next will be the eight Class A sections.
In Section 1, the defending Class AA champion Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs are the top seed but it could be a tough road for P-E-M as there are several teams that could keep the black and gold clad fans from making the trip up Highway 52. The second seeded Hayfield Vikings face the 10th seeded Zumbrota-Mazeppa Cougars, who upset seventh seeded Dover-Eyota. Third seeded Rochester Lourdes, with Aaron Berg taking over the coaching reins from Myron Glass who retired after last season take on the sixth seeded Caledonia Warriors. There's also the fifth seeded Pine Island Panthers facing the Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights. Keep you eye on this section. There's a lot of exciting basketball to be played at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.
Section 2 has the makings of a three team race between the top seeded and the defending section champion Norwood-Young America Raiders and the second seeded St. Peter Saints in the north subsection and top seeded NRHEG in the south subsection. Raiders head coach Gary Lembcke has lost only one game this season, a two point defeat to St. Peter. But watch out for the third seeded Glencoe-Silver Lake Panthers and the fourth seeded Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop Thunderbirds who have a 14 game winning streak.
There are a couple of red hot teams in the Section 3 north subsection including the top seeded New London-Spicer Wildcats and the second seeded Minnewaska Lakers. There's also third seeded Morris/Chokio Alberta with an eight game winning streak. In the south section, it ould come down to battle between the top seeded Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Panthers and the second seeded Pipestone Arrows. First, the Arrows have to get past the third seeded Minneota Vikings. Southwest Minnesota has some outstanding basketball to go before a trip to Minneapolis.
In Section 4, the Minnehaha Academy Redhawks are the top seed and head coach Josh Thurow has a team with only one senior that could make a return trip to state. But look out for the second seeded St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders, the third seeded Columbia Heights Hylanders and the fourth seeded Minneapolis Edison Tommies, winners of nine straight games. Could Tommie fans be celebrating in northeast Minneapolis if they meet the Redhawks in the Section 4AA final at Anoka Ramsey Community College March 10 and dethrone Minnehaha Academy?
The top seed in Section 5 is the Watertown-Mayer Royals as they are three wins away from their first trip to state since Marissa Janning hit shots from Highway 25 to lead them to their last trip in 2010. But there's a hot team on the Royals path, the second seeded Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles who are on a nine game winning streak. The third seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire are the defending section champions and have a shot at returning to Minneapolis. Two other teams in the mix are the fourth seeded Southwest Christian Stars and the fifth seeded Litchfield Dragons.
Section 6 has some talented teams that could take home the championship trophy. The top seed in the east subsection is the unbeaten Rush City Tigers. Head coach Joe Nelson has a solid young team with no seniors and a chance to head to their first state tournament. But before they can make the trip down I-35, they will have to battle the second seeded St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders and the third seeded Pine City Dragons. The west subsection is led by the top seeded Sauk Centre Mainstreeters, winners of 24 straight games Head coach Scott Bergman has built a solid program that has played in each state tournament this decade except 2014. But don't count out the second seeded Albany Huskies and the third seeded Osakis Silverstreaks. The Silverstreaks have won seven straight games and have a shot at the gold medals. An outstanding section that should have some great basketball in central Minnesota. Who will bring home the championship trophy.
Up north to Section 7 where the Esko Eskomos are the top seed in Subsection 1. Also in the hunt is the second seeded Pequot Lakes Patriots. In Subsection 2, the top seed is the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers who hope to make their first trip to state. Duluth Marshall is best known for their successful boys hockey program but this year it could be the girls basketball team's turn to play for a state title. First they have to get past the second seeded International Falls Broncos and the third seeded Two Harbors Agates. The Agates are also vying for their first trip to Minneapolis and they have a shot at becoming the first North Shore team to qualify for state since Cook County in 2001.
Wrapping up the Class AA preview is Section 8 with the top ranked team in Class AA the Roseau Rams the number one seed. They've been playing great basketball in a community that's been rich in hockey tradition. This year, the girls basketball team can add to the town's history with the Borowicz Sisters, Kacie, Kiley and Katie leading the way for head coach Kelsey Didrikson. Looking to derail the Rams chances of a state tournament berth are the second seeded Staples-Motley Cardinals and the third seeded Barnesville Trojans.
Next will be the eight Class A sections.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
2017 Class AAA Girls Basketball Section Preview
Next up are the previews of the eight Class AAA sections.
Take a look at Section 1 and the top seed is the team that made it to last year's Class AAA final the Winona Winhawks, who lost to the Holy Angels Stars. It won't be easy for the Winhawks to win another trip to Minneapolis since there are three other teams that could keep the Winona team bus off Highway 61. There's also the second seeded Kasson-Mantorville Komets who have gone 11-2 since January 14. The third seeded Northfield Raiders were the number one team early in February until they lost to Austin and Winona. It's been a big year for the Big Nine as well as girls athletics in the home of Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges as the Raiders look to bring another busload of fans who saw the girls hockey team last weekend back to the Twin Cities. Also in the hunt are the fourth seeded Red Wing Wingers and the fifth seeded Byron Bears. Looking for some outstanding girls basketball March 4, drive down Highway 52 to the Mayo Civic Arena in Rochester. This could be a hard section to forecast.
Over in Section 2, there will likely be a new champion this year since the Marshall Tigers, who have dominated the section the last few years are the number six seed and lost the starters from last year's team to graduation. This year, the top seed is the Waseca Bluejays, who are looking for their first trip to state. Also contending for its first trip to Minneapolis is the second seeded New Ulm Eagles. Who will it be? Could it also be the third seeded Faribault Falcons or the fourth seeded Jordan Jaguars? Another interesting section to watch.
In Section 3, the defending Class AAA Holy Angels Stars are the top seed and head coach Dan Woods has another outstanding team anchored by Destinee Oberg and the two Megans, Meyer and Thompson. Holy Angels was the number one team early in the season until they lost to the Forest Lake Rangers in the Hill-Murray Tournament in December. They could also force a rematch with the second seeded Bloomington Kennedy Eagles. The Stars beat the Eagles on December 9 61-49. It could be a "Battle of the Nicollet Ave. Schools" that could take place March 9 at Bloomington Jefferson.
Over in Section 4, the top seed is the Mahtomedi Zephyrs. But look out for the second seeded St. Paul Como Park Cougars who are on a nine game winning streak and the third seeded St. Anthony Village Huskies. Also in the hunt is the fourth seeded DeLaSalle Islanders.
History could be in the making in Section 5 as the top seeded Zimmerman Thunder does something no athletic team other than a co-op with Elk River in hockey has done, advance to a state tournament since the school opened in 2003. The Thunder's only two losses have been to Grand Rapids and Albany. They will need to get past the only other school in the section with a winning record, the second seeded Willmar Cardinals.
The top seed in Section 6 is the top ranked team in Class AAA the Hutchinson Tigers. They have won 14 straight games since they lost to the Orono Spartans 76-66 on January 6. A rematch between the two Wright County Conference schools is likely, since the Spartans have the number two seed.
Now to Section 7 where the top seeded Grand Rapids Thunderhawks have a quarterfinal bye. The second seeded Hermantown Hawks are on a 10 game winning streak and if they can beat Grand Rapids, it could be the second straight week Hermantown fans can head down I-35 to the Twin Cities if the boys hockey team can defend its state Class A title. Looking to play the spoiler role are the third seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats and the fourth seeded Cloquet Lumberjacks.
Wrapping up the Class AAA preview is Section 8 where the Alexandria Cardinals are the top seed and have a senior dominated team that could be one of the favorites if the can get past the second seeded Sartell-St. Stephen Sabers and the third seeded Thief River Falls Prowlers.
Who's left standing in Class AA? Find out in the next post.
Take a look at Section 1 and the top seed is the team that made it to last year's Class AAA final the Winona Winhawks, who lost to the Holy Angels Stars. It won't be easy for the Winhawks to win another trip to Minneapolis since there are three other teams that could keep the Winona team bus off Highway 61. There's also the second seeded Kasson-Mantorville Komets who have gone 11-2 since January 14. The third seeded Northfield Raiders were the number one team early in February until they lost to Austin and Winona. It's been a big year for the Big Nine as well as girls athletics in the home of Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges as the Raiders look to bring another busload of fans who saw the girls hockey team last weekend back to the Twin Cities. Also in the hunt are the fourth seeded Red Wing Wingers and the fifth seeded Byron Bears. Looking for some outstanding girls basketball March 4, drive down Highway 52 to the Mayo Civic Arena in Rochester. This could be a hard section to forecast.
Over in Section 2, there will likely be a new champion this year since the Marshall Tigers, who have dominated the section the last few years are the number six seed and lost the starters from last year's team to graduation. This year, the top seed is the Waseca Bluejays, who are looking for their first trip to state. Also contending for its first trip to Minneapolis is the second seeded New Ulm Eagles. Who will it be? Could it also be the third seeded Faribault Falcons or the fourth seeded Jordan Jaguars? Another interesting section to watch.
In Section 3, the defending Class AAA Holy Angels Stars are the top seed and head coach Dan Woods has another outstanding team anchored by Destinee Oberg and the two Megans, Meyer and Thompson. Holy Angels was the number one team early in the season until they lost to the Forest Lake Rangers in the Hill-Murray Tournament in December. They could also force a rematch with the second seeded Bloomington Kennedy Eagles. The Stars beat the Eagles on December 9 61-49. It could be a "Battle of the Nicollet Ave. Schools" that could take place March 9 at Bloomington Jefferson.
Over in Section 4, the top seed is the Mahtomedi Zephyrs. But look out for the second seeded St. Paul Como Park Cougars who are on a nine game winning streak and the third seeded St. Anthony Village Huskies. Also in the hunt is the fourth seeded DeLaSalle Islanders.
History could be in the making in Section 5 as the top seeded Zimmerman Thunder does something no athletic team other than a co-op with Elk River in hockey has done, advance to a state tournament since the school opened in 2003. The Thunder's only two losses have been to Grand Rapids and Albany. They will need to get past the only other school in the section with a winning record, the second seeded Willmar Cardinals.
The top seed in Section 6 is the top ranked team in Class AAA the Hutchinson Tigers. They have won 14 straight games since they lost to the Orono Spartans 76-66 on January 6. A rematch between the two Wright County Conference schools is likely, since the Spartans have the number two seed.
Now to Section 7 where the top seeded Grand Rapids Thunderhawks have a quarterfinal bye. The second seeded Hermantown Hawks are on a 10 game winning streak and if they can beat Grand Rapids, it could be the second straight week Hermantown fans can head down I-35 to the Twin Cities if the boys hockey team can defend its state Class A title. Looking to play the spoiler role are the third seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats and the fourth seeded Cloquet Lumberjacks.
Wrapping up the Class AAA preview is Section 8 where the Alexandria Cardinals are the top seed and have a senior dominated team that could be one of the favorites if the can get past the second seeded Sartell-St. Stephen Sabers and the third seeded Thief River Falls Prowlers.
Who's left standing in Class AA? Find out in the next post.
2017 Class AAAA Girls Basketball Section Preview
The Road to The Barn begins with the first of a four part section girls basketball preview. Up first are the eight Class AAAA sections.
In Section 1, the top seeded Lakeville North Panthers are on a roll with an 18 game winning streak. But look out for the second seeded Rochester Mayo Spartans who have won 12 straight games. It should be an interesting section final March 9 in Rochester and Mayo doesn't have to take a long bus ride down Highway 52.
The defending Class AAAA champion Minnetonka Skippers are the top seed in Section 2 but it's going to be a bit tougher to head back to Minneapolis since there is no definitive favorite in that section. The Skippers Lake Conference rival, the Edina Hornets have the second seed and the third and fourth seeds come from the South Suburban Conference, the Prior Lake Lakers and the Shakopee Sabers. Can the Lake Conference repeat or will the South Suburban has close to three team's in the Class AAAA field.
And speaking of the South Suburban Conference, the top two seeds in Section 3 have shown why the city of Apple Valley has been successful in both boys and girls basketball. The Eastview Lightning are the top seed but their dominance could be over if the second seeded Apple Valley Eagles battle the Lightning for the third time this season. Both teams split the season series and have a 20-6 record so it would be the rubber game for a trip to state. Hoping to end a potential All Apple Valley final are the third seeded Rosemount Irish and the fourth seeded Park of Cottage Grove Wolfpack.
Over in Section 4, if there's any guarantee, the team headed to state will come from the Suburban East Conference. The top seeded East Ridge Raptors look for their first trip to state but the second seeded White Bear Lake Polars hope to keep the Raptors team bus in their Woodbury garage. Don't count out the third seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders or the fourth seeded Woodbury Royals.
Who will come out of Section 5? The top seeded Park Center Pirates, led by Mikayla Hayes, who will play at Florida next season. The second seeded Champlin Park Rebels, the third seeded Centennial Cougars are all 20-6 and have a good shot sinking the Pirates ship to state. Keep your eye on this section. It could be the toughest of the eight AAAA sections.
Now this sounds familiar, the Hopkins Royals are the top seed in Section 6. Even though they lost to Minnetonka in last year's AAAA final and Nia Hollie to graduation, the Royals didn't miss a beat and have a record of 26-0. Looking to end the Royals run is the second seeded Wayzata Trojans, the third seeded Cooper Hawks and the fourth seeded Armstrong Falcons. Also in the hunt is the fifth seeded Minneapolis South Tigers, led by Tayler Hill's younger sisters Jade and Morgan.
Another wide open section is Section 7, where the top seed is the Andover Huskies.The Forest Lake Rangers are seeded second and the Anoka Tornadoes have the third seed.
Go north to Section 8 and should be some really good basketball to watch as the top seeded and unbeaten Elk River Elks hope to end the second seeded St. Michael-Albertville Knights hammerlock on the section title. The other team that's on a roll is the third seeded Moorhead Spuds.
Next up are the eight Class AAA sections.
In Section 1, the top seeded Lakeville North Panthers are on a roll with an 18 game winning streak. But look out for the second seeded Rochester Mayo Spartans who have won 12 straight games. It should be an interesting section final March 9 in Rochester and Mayo doesn't have to take a long bus ride down Highway 52.
The defending Class AAAA champion Minnetonka Skippers are the top seed in Section 2 but it's going to be a bit tougher to head back to Minneapolis since there is no definitive favorite in that section. The Skippers Lake Conference rival, the Edina Hornets have the second seed and the third and fourth seeds come from the South Suburban Conference, the Prior Lake Lakers and the Shakopee Sabers. Can the Lake Conference repeat or will the South Suburban has close to three team's in the Class AAAA field.
And speaking of the South Suburban Conference, the top two seeds in Section 3 have shown why the city of Apple Valley has been successful in both boys and girls basketball. The Eastview Lightning are the top seed but their dominance could be over if the second seeded Apple Valley Eagles battle the Lightning for the third time this season. Both teams split the season series and have a 20-6 record so it would be the rubber game for a trip to state. Hoping to end a potential All Apple Valley final are the third seeded Rosemount Irish and the fourth seeded Park of Cottage Grove Wolfpack.
Over in Section 4, if there's any guarantee, the team headed to state will come from the Suburban East Conference. The top seeded East Ridge Raptors look for their first trip to state but the second seeded White Bear Lake Polars hope to keep the Raptors team bus in their Woodbury garage. Don't count out the third seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders or the fourth seeded Woodbury Royals.
Who will come out of Section 5? The top seeded Park Center Pirates, led by Mikayla Hayes, who will play at Florida next season. The second seeded Champlin Park Rebels, the third seeded Centennial Cougars are all 20-6 and have a good shot sinking the Pirates ship to state. Keep your eye on this section. It could be the toughest of the eight AAAA sections.
Now this sounds familiar, the Hopkins Royals are the top seed in Section 6. Even though they lost to Minnetonka in last year's AAAA final and Nia Hollie to graduation, the Royals didn't miss a beat and have a record of 26-0. Looking to end the Royals run is the second seeded Wayzata Trojans, the third seeded Cooper Hawks and the fourth seeded Armstrong Falcons. Also in the hunt is the fifth seeded Minneapolis South Tigers, led by Tayler Hill's younger sisters Jade and Morgan.
Another wide open section is Section 7, where the top seed is the Andover Huskies.The Forest Lake Rangers are seeded second and the Anoka Tornadoes have the third seed.
Go north to Section 8 and should be some really good basketball to watch as the top seeded and unbeaten Elk River Elks hope to end the second seeded St. Michael-Albertville Knights hammerlock on the section title. The other team that's on a roll is the third seeded Moorhead Spuds.
Next up are the eight Class AAA sections.
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Another Four Spot from Edina Hornets Adds up to Class AA State Title
There was a common thread for the top seeded Edina Hornets in their seventh state tournament as they scored four goals in their first two games and they would get four more, including two from Lolita Fidler en route to a 4-0 win over the Blaine Bengals in the Class AA girls hockey championship game Saturday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
It was the first state title for Edina since they lost to the Minnetonka Skippers in the 2011 Class AA final.
The Hornet stung :59 into the game as Eva Hendrikson's shot from the left point was tapped in by Fidler. They would increase their lead to two on Evelyn Adams shot from the left boards that went toward Olivia Kilberg and she would put the finishing touch on the goal.
Edina would go up by three in the second period on Fidler's second goal that came off a missed shot from Kilberg. CC Bowlby had a chance to score on a breakaway but her shot went wide.
The Hornets would eventually head home happy down Highway 100 as they wrapped up the scoring on Olivia Swaim's goal that barely entered the net. The Bengals would be on the verge of ending the Hornet shutout on Paige Beebe's breakaway but Anna Goldstein, who will play next season at Middlebury College in Vermont preserved the goose egg with a save.
Edina ended the regular season with a record of 28-1-1 and Blaine finished with a record of 24-4-2.
In the third place game, Naomi Rogge scored two goals and two assists to lead the Eden Prairie Eagles to a 6-0 win over the Hill-Murray Pioneers. In the consolation championship game at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus, it was a battle of South Suburban Conference teams with the Farmington Tigers shutting down the Eastview Lightning 3-0.
Emily Brown of Blaine was the Class AA recipient of the Herb Brooks award which is awarded to a player that best demonstrates the characteristics of the late coach. She told 45TV's Tom Hauser and the f"ans what winning the award meant to her.
"It means a lot to have your name associate with a legend like Herb Brooks.
The attendance for the two championship games was 4,959.
It was the first state title for Edina since they lost to the Minnetonka Skippers in the 2011 Class AA final.
The Hornet stung :59 into the game as Eva Hendrikson's shot from the left point was tapped in by Fidler. They would increase their lead to two on Evelyn Adams shot from the left boards that went toward Olivia Kilberg and she would put the finishing touch on the goal.
Edina would go up by three in the second period on Fidler's second goal that came off a missed shot from Kilberg. CC Bowlby had a chance to score on a breakaway but her shot went wide.
The Hornets would eventually head home happy down Highway 100 as they wrapped up the scoring on Olivia Swaim's goal that barely entered the net. The Bengals would be on the verge of ending the Hornet shutout on Paige Beebe's breakaway but Anna Goldstein, who will play next season at Middlebury College in Vermont preserved the goose egg with a save.
Edina ended the regular season with a record of 28-1-1 and Blaine finished with a record of 24-4-2.
In the third place game, Naomi Rogge scored two goals and two assists to lead the Eden Prairie Eagles to a 6-0 win over the Hill-Murray Pioneers. In the consolation championship game at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus, it was a battle of South Suburban Conference teams with the Farmington Tigers shutting down the Eastview Lightning 3-0.
Emily Brown of Blaine was the Class AA recipient of the Herb Brooks award which is awarded to a player that best demonstrates the characteristics of the late coach. She told 45TV's Tom Hauser and the f"ans what winning the award meant to her.
"It means a lot to have your name associate with a legend like Herb Brooks.
The attendance for the two championship games was 4,959.
It's State Class A Title Number Seven for Blake Bears
A lily bloomed at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul Saturday as Lily Delianedis scored a goal and assisted on two others to lead the Blake Bears to a 6-2 win over St. Paul United in the Class A girls hockey championship game.
It was the second consecutive and seventh overall state title for the Minneapolis based school in their 10th trip to state.
SPU, who lost to the Bears twice in the regular season got the early lead in the first period as Lauren Boettcher made a short centering pass to Joie Phelps and the red clad team from St. Paul Academy and Visitation became joyful. Blake would tie the game on Delianedis' pass that bounced off the left boards, picked up by Hayley Konowalchuk and her shot from the left point entered the goal. Delianedis put Blake ahead with a rebound goal that gave them a 2-1 lead after the first period.
In the second period, Grace Johnson, one of four Blake freshmen, rebounded Konowalchuk's shot from the right crease and scored to increase the lead to two. They would go up by three 1:29 later when Audrey Wethington scored following a flurry of shots. Scoring balanced continued for Blake as Izzy Daniel got the puck at the corner boards, skated into the right face off circle and sent the puck to the net.
The Bears would wrap up their scoring in the third period when Audrey Wethington, positioned behind the net, centered the puck to Addie Burton and she put Blake ahead by five. Would there be running time in the third period? Not according to SPU's Samantha Burke, whose shot bounced off Blake goalie Anna Kruesel and barely entered the net.
The Bears concluded their season with a record of 27-2-1 and SPU ended their season at 21-7-2.
In the third place game, Madison Oelkers got the hat trick to lead the Warroad Warriors to a 6-2 win over the Northfield Raiders. In the consolation championship game at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus, Kristin Trosvig's goal with 9:15 left in regulation time led the Alexandria Cardinals to a 1-0 win over the Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets. Though the Bluejackets came up short, Lily Rewertz was the recipient of the Herb Brooks Award, which is awarded to the player who best displays the characteristics of the late coach.
It was the second consecutive and seventh overall state title for the Minneapolis based school in their 10th trip to state.
SPU, who lost to the Bears twice in the regular season got the early lead in the first period as Lauren Boettcher made a short centering pass to Joie Phelps and the red clad team from St. Paul Academy and Visitation became joyful. Blake would tie the game on Delianedis' pass that bounced off the left boards, picked up by Hayley Konowalchuk and her shot from the left point entered the goal. Delianedis put Blake ahead with a rebound goal that gave them a 2-1 lead after the first period.
In the second period, Grace Johnson, one of four Blake freshmen, rebounded Konowalchuk's shot from the right crease and scored to increase the lead to two. They would go up by three 1:29 later when Audrey Wethington scored following a flurry of shots. Scoring balanced continued for Blake as Izzy Daniel got the puck at the corner boards, skated into the right face off circle and sent the puck to the net.
The Bears would wrap up their scoring in the third period when Audrey Wethington, positioned behind the net, centered the puck to Addie Burton and she put Blake ahead by five. Would there be running time in the third period? Not according to SPU's Samantha Burke, whose shot bounced off Blake goalie Anna Kruesel and barely entered the net.
The Bears concluded their season with a record of 27-2-1 and SPU ended their season at 21-7-2.
In the third place game, Madison Oelkers got the hat trick to lead the Warroad Warriors to a 6-2 win over the Northfield Raiders. In the consolation championship game at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus, Kristin Trosvig's goal with 9:15 left in regulation time led the Alexandria Cardinals to a 1-0 win over the Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets. Though the Bluejackets came up short, Lily Rewertz was the recipient of the Herb Brooks Award, which is awarded to the player who best displays the characteristics of the late coach.
Friday, February 24, 2017
2017 State Girls Hockey Championship Preview
One final has a familiar ring to it, the other has some new blood. Here's a preview of Saturday's state girls hockey tournament championship games.
The Class A championship at 4 PM is a rematch of last year's game as St. Paul United takes on the Blake Bears. It will be the third meeting between the two Independent Metro Athletic Conference teams with Blake victorious in both games. They recorded a 3-0 shut out on January 3 and two weeks later on the 17th, they beat the combined team from St. Paul Academy and Visitation 4-1.
St. Paul United opened up the Class A tournament on Wednesday with a 10-0 rout of the Mankato East/Loyola Cougars. Joie Phelps got the hat trick and Maggie Conners added two goals for SPU, who led 9-0 after two periods. Conners would also get a hat trick in the semifinal game that resulted in a 4-2 win over the Warroad Warriors.
As for the defending Class A champion Blake Bears, they began their quest for a seventh state title with a 3-0 quarterfinal win over the Alexandria Cardinals. Madeline Wethington, Sara McClanahan and Lucy Burton scored for the Bears. Lucy Burton will play next season at Yale. Lucy and her sister Addie also tallied for the Bears in the semifinal game as they beat the Northfield Raiders 4-1. Madeline Wethington and Lily Delianedis also scored for Blake. Can the Bears win their third straight game against SPU and bring back championship trophy number seven?
There's no need to complain this year if you're tired of seeing the same teams in the Class AA final over and over again because there are two teams looking for their first state championship, the Blaine Bengals and the Edina Hornets. The Bengals are playing in their first championship game since 2001 when they lost to the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars. Head coach Steve Guider was an assistant on that team and Marci Bydlon was the head coach. In the quarterfinal game against the Roseau Rams, Gabby Rosenthal and Paige Beebe scored two goals apiece to lead the Bengals to a 7-1 win. They would face the Hill-Murray Pioneers in the semifinals got a balanced scoring attack that had eight players pick up at least one point to beat the Pioneers 5-1.
The Edina Hornets have had an outstanding season under first year head coach Sami Reber and it would continue in the state tournament that started with a 4-1 win over the Farmington Tigers. The Hornets got off to a slow start against a hot Tiger goalie in Abby Bollig but they would dominate the game thereafter and out shoot Farmington 53-16. The semifinals would be the third mmeting this season with their Lake Conference rivals the defending Class AA champion Eden Prairie Eagles. Edina won both regular season games by one goal margins, 1-0 on January 3 and 2-1 on January 21. The third meeting wasn't even close as they recorded their 12th shut out this season 4-0. Lolita Fidler, Sophie Slattery, Emily Oden and Anna Klein scored for the Hornets and Anna Goldstein picked up the shut out in the net as the Hornets dominated once again in the shots on goal department 48-14. In two state tournament games, the Hornets have out shot the opposition 101-30. Blaine goalie Jaela O'Brien is likely to have a busy night as she goes against top ranked Edina and their onslaught of shots. The last time Edina played for a state title was 2011, when they lost to another Lake Conference team, the Minnetonka Skippers.
Get ready for an outstanding Saturday of Minnesota girls high school hockey in St. Paul. Who will come away with their first Class AA championship trophy.
The Class A championship at 4 PM is a rematch of last year's game as St. Paul United takes on the Blake Bears. It will be the third meeting between the two Independent Metro Athletic Conference teams with Blake victorious in both games. They recorded a 3-0 shut out on January 3 and two weeks later on the 17th, they beat the combined team from St. Paul Academy and Visitation 4-1.
St. Paul United opened up the Class A tournament on Wednesday with a 10-0 rout of the Mankato East/Loyola Cougars. Joie Phelps got the hat trick and Maggie Conners added two goals for SPU, who led 9-0 after two periods. Conners would also get a hat trick in the semifinal game that resulted in a 4-2 win over the Warroad Warriors.
As for the defending Class A champion Blake Bears, they began their quest for a seventh state title with a 3-0 quarterfinal win over the Alexandria Cardinals. Madeline Wethington, Sara McClanahan and Lucy Burton scored for the Bears. Lucy Burton will play next season at Yale. Lucy and her sister Addie also tallied for the Bears in the semifinal game as they beat the Northfield Raiders 4-1. Madeline Wethington and Lily Delianedis also scored for Blake. Can the Bears win their third straight game against SPU and bring back championship trophy number seven?
There's no need to complain this year if you're tired of seeing the same teams in the Class AA final over and over again because there are two teams looking for their first state championship, the Blaine Bengals and the Edina Hornets. The Bengals are playing in their first championship game since 2001 when they lost to the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars. Head coach Steve Guider was an assistant on that team and Marci Bydlon was the head coach. In the quarterfinal game against the Roseau Rams, Gabby Rosenthal and Paige Beebe scored two goals apiece to lead the Bengals to a 7-1 win. They would face the Hill-Murray Pioneers in the semifinals got a balanced scoring attack that had eight players pick up at least one point to beat the Pioneers 5-1.
The Edina Hornets have had an outstanding season under first year head coach Sami Reber and it would continue in the state tournament that started with a 4-1 win over the Farmington Tigers. The Hornets got off to a slow start against a hot Tiger goalie in Abby Bollig but they would dominate the game thereafter and out shoot Farmington 53-16. The semifinals would be the third mmeting this season with their Lake Conference rivals the defending Class AA champion Eden Prairie Eagles. Edina won both regular season games by one goal margins, 1-0 on January 3 and 2-1 on January 21. The third meeting wasn't even close as they recorded their 12th shut out this season 4-0. Lolita Fidler, Sophie Slattery, Emily Oden and Anna Klein scored for the Hornets and Anna Goldstein picked up the shut out in the net as the Hornets dominated once again in the shots on goal department 48-14. In two state tournament games, the Hornets have out shot the opposition 101-30. Blaine goalie Jaela O'Brien is likely to have a busy night as she goes against top ranked Edina and their onslaught of shots. The last time Edina played for a state title was 2011, when they lost to another Lake Conference team, the Minnetonka Skippers.
Get ready for an outstanding Saturday of Minnesota girls high school hockey in St. Paul. Who will come away with their first Class AA championship trophy.
Long Losing Streak Ends for Groves Academy Griffins
Friday night was Senior Night for the Groves Academy Griffins and the four seniors who were honored in a pregame ceremony had plenty to celebrate though it was junior Malik Bodden who had a game high 22 points to lead them to a 61-53 win over the North Lakes Academy Huskies in St. Louis Park.
The four seniors who were honored before the game were Noah Madson, Patrick Quinn, Martin Schmitz and Jack Lowe.
The win ended a 17 game losing streak since they beat Chesterton Academy on December 20.
Now to the game. Quinn would open the scoring for the Griffins :58 into the game. Bodden would score to put Groves Academy on a 4-0 run before David Christopherson put the Huskies on the scoreboard. Ethan Crandall would put North Lakes Academy on a 7-0 run as he scored five straight points. The Griffins also went on a 7-0 run though Bodden left the game due to an injury. It wasn't serious and he would return later in the first half. Both teams were chilly from the field in the first half. The game would be tied at 14, 16 and 18. Larry Mohamed would hit a three pointer to put Groves Academy ahead. Bodden would also connect from Minnetonka Blvd as well as Crandall for the Huskies. Groves Academy led 29-23 at halftime.
Both teams would open the second half with three pointers. Max Bilcik for the Griffins and Alex Stockton for the Huskies. Crandall would hit a couple of three pointers to cut the lead to three. Bilcik would score five straight points to spark a 5-0 run. The fouls started to pile up for Groves Academy that would put them into the double bonus at ten fouls. North Lakes Academy would try to get close to Groves Academy as Christopherson and Cole Donelan would hit key free throws. With a sizable lead late in the game, the Griffins would take time off the clock and close out the regular season with a victory.
Also scoring in double figures for Groves Academy was Bilcik with 18 points. Crandall led North Lakes Academy with 25 points. Donelan came off the bench to score 11 with most coming from the free throw line.
The Griffins improved their record to 2-21 and they will head to St. Paul on Monday, February 27 to face the Nova Classical Academy Knights in the Twin Cities Athletic Conference Tournament at 7 PM. The Huskies fell to 5-16 and will also play in the conference tournament March 4 at Cristo Rey Jesuit in Minneapolis.
The four seniors who were honored before the game were Noah Madson, Patrick Quinn, Martin Schmitz and Jack Lowe.
The win ended a 17 game losing streak since they beat Chesterton Academy on December 20.
Now to the game. Quinn would open the scoring for the Griffins :58 into the game. Bodden would score to put Groves Academy on a 4-0 run before David Christopherson put the Huskies on the scoreboard. Ethan Crandall would put North Lakes Academy on a 7-0 run as he scored five straight points. The Griffins also went on a 7-0 run though Bodden left the game due to an injury. It wasn't serious and he would return later in the first half. Both teams were chilly from the field in the first half. The game would be tied at 14, 16 and 18. Larry Mohamed would hit a three pointer to put Groves Academy ahead. Bodden would also connect from Minnetonka Blvd as well as Crandall for the Huskies. Groves Academy led 29-23 at halftime.
Both teams would open the second half with three pointers. Max Bilcik for the Griffins and Alex Stockton for the Huskies. Crandall would hit a couple of three pointers to cut the lead to three. Bilcik would score five straight points to spark a 5-0 run. The fouls started to pile up for Groves Academy that would put them into the double bonus at ten fouls. North Lakes Academy would try to get close to Groves Academy as Christopherson and Cole Donelan would hit key free throws. With a sizable lead late in the game, the Griffins would take time off the clock and close out the regular season with a victory.
Also scoring in double figures for Groves Academy was Bilcik with 18 points. Crandall led North Lakes Academy with 25 points. Donelan came off the bench to score 11 with most coming from the free throw line.
The Griffins improved their record to 2-21 and they will head to St. Paul on Monday, February 27 to face the Nova Classical Academy Knights in the Twin Cities Athletic Conference Tournament at 7 PM. The Huskies fell to 5-16 and will also play in the conference tournament March 4 at Cristo Rey Jesuit in Minneapolis.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Rogge's Hat Trick Rocks Eden Prairie Eagles
Thursday night was a big night for Naomi Rogge as she got a hat trick to lead the defending Class AA champion Eden Prairie Eagles to a 6-4 win over the Forest Lake Rangers in the Class AA girls hockey quarterfinals at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Rogge, a finalist for the Ms. Hockey Award and will play next season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, would contribute to the Eagles two first period goals. On the first goal, she passed to her fellow senior Emily McLaughlin and she cut through the center slot and scored the first Eden Prairie goal. Rogge would steal the puck from the Rangers Eryn Slagle and she went through the center slot like the team bus heading down Kellogg Blvd.and put the Eagles ahead by two with 1:35 left in the period.
The second period began where Rogge left off as she forced a Ranger turnover with her defense, found an opening on the right side of Forest Lake goalie Josephine Bothun and put the puck in the net. The Rangers, playing in its fourth state tournament and winless in six games would cut the Eagle lead to one :41 later when Maddie Kolbow rebounded Mackenzie Rugland's shot into the net. . Eden Prairie would tally twice as Rogge lined a shot toward the net and McLaughlin deflected the puck over the goal line. The Eagles would go up by four goals following Crystalyn Hengler's shot that went off the goal post and Sydney Langseth got into position on the right side of the crease to score the goal. Forest Lake would come through :37 later on Sydney Rydel's liner from the right face off circle that entered the net. Rogge would get the hat trick after she tapped in Hengler's shot from the right point.
Before the Rangers would head back up I-35E, they would score twice in the third period. Kolbow would score her second goal of the game from the left point and Kayla Kasel rebounded Madi Nolan's shot to cut the lead to two. Could the Rangers score two more goals to force overtime? Not after head coach Todd Gutterman pulled Bothun for a sixth attacker with 2:40 to play. Both teams wouldn't score in that stretch.
The Eagles improved their record to 20-6-2 and will face the Edina Hornets in the semifinals on Friday, February 24 at 8 PM at the Xcel Energy Center. The Rangers fell to 20-7-2 and will take on the Farmington Tigers in the consolation semifinals, also on the 24th at noon at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.
Rogge, a finalist for the Ms. Hockey Award and will play next season at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, would contribute to the Eagles two first period goals. On the first goal, she passed to her fellow senior Emily McLaughlin and she cut through the center slot and scored the first Eden Prairie goal. Rogge would steal the puck from the Rangers Eryn Slagle and she went through the center slot like the team bus heading down Kellogg Blvd.and put the Eagles ahead by two with 1:35 left in the period.
The second period began where Rogge left off as she forced a Ranger turnover with her defense, found an opening on the right side of Forest Lake goalie Josephine Bothun and put the puck in the net. The Rangers, playing in its fourth state tournament and winless in six games would cut the Eagle lead to one :41 later when Maddie Kolbow rebounded Mackenzie Rugland's shot into the net. . Eden Prairie would tally twice as Rogge lined a shot toward the net and McLaughlin deflected the puck over the goal line. The Eagles would go up by four goals following Crystalyn Hengler's shot that went off the goal post and Sydney Langseth got into position on the right side of the crease to score the goal. Forest Lake would come through :37 later on Sydney Rydel's liner from the right face off circle that entered the net. Rogge would get the hat trick after she tapped in Hengler's shot from the right point.
Before the Rangers would head back up I-35E, they would score twice in the third period. Kolbow would score her second goal of the game from the left point and Kayla Kasel rebounded Madi Nolan's shot to cut the lead to two. Could the Rangers score two more goals to force overtime? Not after head coach Todd Gutterman pulled Bothun for a sixth attacker with 2:40 to play. Both teams wouldn't score in that stretch.
The Eagles improved their record to 20-6-2 and will face the Edina Hornets in the semifinals on Friday, February 24 at 8 PM at the Xcel Energy Center. The Rangers fell to 20-7-2 and will take on the Farmington Tigers in the consolation semifinals, also on the 24th at noon at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.
Edina Hornets Swarm Past Farmington Tigers
The top seeded and top ranked Edina Hornets got a three goal third period that included the game winner from Lolita Fidler with 12:51 left to play that led them to a 4-1 win over the Farmington Tigers in the Class AA girls hockey quarterfinals Thursday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Neither team scored in the first period, though the Hornets kept Tiger goalie Abby Bollig busy with 16 shots on goal to Farmington's five.
Edina broke the scoreless tie in the second period when Olivia Kolberg got a pass from Fidler near the left boards, cut to the center slot and scored. Farmington would tie the game while Edina goalie Anna Goldstein was playing a bit far out of the net and Ellie Moser fired a shot into the open net.
It would be all Edina in the third period that would clinch a semifinal berth for first year head coach Sami Reber. Fidler would score on a right side rebound to put the Hornets in front. Then Brooke Tucker passed to Emily Oden and she went long the right boards and took a shot, with Bollig on the save and Oden rebounding the puck from the center slot toward the net. Sophie Slattery wrapped up the scoring as she rebounded a shot from the right side of the crease and into the net.
The Hornets out shot the Tigers 53-16.
Edina improved their record to 26-1-1 and will play the winner of the Forest Lake-Eden Prairie game in the semifinals Friday, February 24 at 8 PM at the Xcel Energy Center. Farmington fell to 16-12-1 and will play in the consolation semifinals also on the 24th at noon at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.
Neither team scored in the first period, though the Hornets kept Tiger goalie Abby Bollig busy with 16 shots on goal to Farmington's five.
Edina broke the scoreless tie in the second period when Olivia Kolberg got a pass from Fidler near the left boards, cut to the center slot and scored. Farmington would tie the game while Edina goalie Anna Goldstein was playing a bit far out of the net and Ellie Moser fired a shot into the open net.
It would be all Edina in the third period that would clinch a semifinal berth for first year head coach Sami Reber. Fidler would score on a right side rebound to put the Hornets in front. Then Brooke Tucker passed to Emily Oden and she went long the right boards and took a shot, with Bollig on the save and Oden rebounding the puck from the center slot toward the net. Sophie Slattery wrapped up the scoring as she rebounded a shot from the right side of the crease and into the net.
The Hornets out shot the Tigers 53-16.
Edina improved their record to 26-1-1 and will play the winner of the Forest Lake-Eden Prairie game in the semifinals Friday, February 24 at 8 PM at the Xcel Energy Center. Farmington fell to 16-12-1 and will play in the consolation semifinals also on the 24th at noon at Ridder Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
2017 Class AA State Girls Hockey Tournament Preview
2017 STATE CLASS AA GIRLS HOCKEY QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE
GAMES PLAYED AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER IN ST. PAUL
11:00: Roseau vs. Blaine (Seed 2)
1:00: Eastview vs. Hill-Murray (Seed 3)
6:00: Farmington vs. Edina (Seed 1)
8:00: Forest Lake (Seed 5) vs. Eden Prairie (Seed 4)
Examining the Field: Following the first day of Class A quarterfinal play, it's the Class AA teams turn to take the Xcel Energy Center spotlight. Opening up the Class AA quarterfinals is the Roseau Rams, who come off a dramatic Section 8 championship victory from sophomore Ella Helgeson's game winning goal with 1:20 left in the fourth overtime to beat Brainerd/Little Falls. They will go up against the second seeded Blaine Bengals who shut out the Maple Grove Crimson and their goalie duo of Breanna Blesi and Coco Francis 3-0. Both Roseau and Blaine are playing in their fifth state tournament. Can the Rams pull off another dramatic win against the Bengals?
Concluding the afternoon session is the Eastview Lightning and the third seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers. If you haven't seen the Lightning's Natalie Snodgrass in action, it may be your last chance to do so since she will be playing next season at UConn but not for Geno Auriemma's outstanding basketball team that's won 101 straight games. Instead, she will play for head women's hockey coach Chris McKenzie. It's the third straight trip for the Apple Valley based school that has only had one win in its last two trips to state. They will face the powerhouse Pioneers who have won two Class AA titles in the last three years. Last season, Hill-Murray beat Maple Grove in the Class AA third place game. Should they go up against Blaine in the semifinals, it will be a rematch of the January 26 meeting between the two schools that ended in a 4-4 tie. If the match up does come to fruition, who will earn a championship berth?
Now to the evening session as the Farmington Tigers ended the City of Lakeville's nine year monopoly in the Section 1 final to earn their first trip to the X in nine years and their first as a Class AA school since they moved up from Class A. The Tigers will have a tough task ahead in the top seeded and top ranked Edina Hornets. Head coach Sami Reber, who took over from Laura Slominski has led the Hornets into their seventh trip to St. Paul. They have been the number one Class AA team for most of the season, losing only to the Blake Bears and they are led by Grace Bowlby and goalie Anna Goldstein. Can they lead Edina into their first Class AA title game since 2011? They have the talent to win the state title.
Ending the Class AA quarterfinals will be the Forest Lake Rangers and the third seeded and the defending Class AA champion Eden Prairie Eagles. The Rangers beat Elk River/Zimmerman in the Section 7 title game 5-2 and head down I-35 for their fourth trip to state. Forest Lake has gone 0-6 in state tournament play and they go against the Eagles who come off a double overtime win in the Section 2 final against the Minnetonka Skippers 2-1. Eden Prairie is led by Naomi Rogge, Sammie Morton and in the nets Alexa Dobchuk. Going into the state tournament, she has a goals against average of 1.34. It could be an Edina-Eden Prairie semifinal match up for the second straight year that was won by the Eagles 1-0. Who will emerge from a potential All Lake Conference battle?
That's the quarterfinal previews for both classes. There should be some outstanding girls hockey over the next four days in St. Paul.
GAMES PLAYED AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER IN ST. PAUL
11:00: Roseau vs. Blaine (Seed 2)
1:00: Eastview vs. Hill-Murray (Seed 3)
6:00: Farmington vs. Edina (Seed 1)
8:00: Forest Lake (Seed 5) vs. Eden Prairie (Seed 4)
Examining the Field: Following the first day of Class A quarterfinal play, it's the Class AA teams turn to take the Xcel Energy Center spotlight. Opening up the Class AA quarterfinals is the Roseau Rams, who come off a dramatic Section 8 championship victory from sophomore Ella Helgeson's game winning goal with 1:20 left in the fourth overtime to beat Brainerd/Little Falls. They will go up against the second seeded Blaine Bengals who shut out the Maple Grove Crimson and their goalie duo of Breanna Blesi and Coco Francis 3-0. Both Roseau and Blaine are playing in their fifth state tournament. Can the Rams pull off another dramatic win against the Bengals?
Concluding the afternoon session is the Eastview Lightning and the third seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers. If you haven't seen the Lightning's Natalie Snodgrass in action, it may be your last chance to do so since she will be playing next season at UConn but not for Geno Auriemma's outstanding basketball team that's won 101 straight games. Instead, she will play for head women's hockey coach Chris McKenzie. It's the third straight trip for the Apple Valley based school that has only had one win in its last two trips to state. They will face the powerhouse Pioneers who have won two Class AA titles in the last three years. Last season, Hill-Murray beat Maple Grove in the Class AA third place game. Should they go up against Blaine in the semifinals, it will be a rematch of the January 26 meeting between the two schools that ended in a 4-4 tie. If the match up does come to fruition, who will earn a championship berth?
Now to the evening session as the Farmington Tigers ended the City of Lakeville's nine year monopoly in the Section 1 final to earn their first trip to the X in nine years and their first as a Class AA school since they moved up from Class A. The Tigers will have a tough task ahead in the top seeded and top ranked Edina Hornets. Head coach Sami Reber, who took over from Laura Slominski has led the Hornets into their seventh trip to St. Paul. They have been the number one Class AA team for most of the season, losing only to the Blake Bears and they are led by Grace Bowlby and goalie Anna Goldstein. Can they lead Edina into their first Class AA title game since 2011? They have the talent to win the state title.
Ending the Class AA quarterfinals will be the Forest Lake Rangers and the third seeded and the defending Class AA champion Eden Prairie Eagles. The Rangers beat Elk River/Zimmerman in the Section 7 title game 5-2 and head down I-35 for their fourth trip to state. Forest Lake has gone 0-6 in state tournament play and they go against the Eagles who come off a double overtime win in the Section 2 final against the Minnetonka Skippers 2-1. Eden Prairie is led by Naomi Rogge, Sammie Morton and in the nets Alexa Dobchuk. Going into the state tournament, she has a goals against average of 1.34. It could be an Edina-Eden Prairie semifinal match up for the second straight year that was won by the Eagles 1-0. Who will emerge from a potential All Lake Conference battle?
That's the quarterfinal previews for both classes. There should be some outstanding girls hockey over the next four days in St. Paul.
Monday, February 20, 2017
2017 Class A State Girls Hockey Tournament Preview
2017 CLASS A STATE GIRLS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINALS
GAMES PLAYED AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER IN ST. PAUL
11:00: Mankato East/Loyola vs. St. Paul United (Seed 2)
1:00: Hibbling Chisholm vs. Warroad (Seed 3)
6:00: Alexandria vs. Blake (Seed 1)
8:00: Northfield (Seed 5) vs. Mound-Westonka (Seed 4)
Examining the Field: The 2017 edition of the state girls hockey tournament opens with the Mankato East/Loyola Cougars facing second seeded St. Paul United, who lost to Blake in last year's Class A final. It's the first trip to St. Paul by a Mankato based team since a combined Mankato East/West team played in the 1999 tournament. St. Paul United, comprised of students from St. Paul Academy and Visitation came back after losing their last two regular season games to Hill-Murray and Breck to win their two Section 4A games and advance to their third state tournament. SPU is one of the favorites to go to the Class A final, losing only five players from last year's team.
The afternoon session concludes with the Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets going up against the third seeded Warroad Warriors. The Bluejackets will be playing in their 10th state tournament and their first under Emily Erickson, who took over the head coaching reigns from Pete Hyduke. They have finished second in the Class A tournament four times since winning their last state title in 1997 and it will a tough one against Warroad, who is in their eighth state tournament. The Warriors are on a roll, winning eight of their last nine games. Last year, they took home the third place trophy. Can they advance to their sixth Class A title game?
The evening session opens with the Alexandria Cardinals making their fifth consecutive trip and 11th overall down I-94 to the X. That's the good news. The bad news is they go up against the top seeded and defending Class A champion Blake Bears. The Bears are playing in their ninth state tournament and looking for their seventh state title. Madeline Wethington led Blake in their quest for state with two goals in the Section 5A final as they bounced back from a 3-2 deficit against the rival Breck Mustangs. Blake has good young talent and only three seniors on their roster. Head coach Shawn Reid has kept the winning tradition alive since he took over for the late Brano Stankovsky following the 2009 state Class A title. They are the definitive favorites for the Class A title and perhaps several more to come.
Closing out the first day's festivities will be the fifth seeded Northfield Raiders and the fourth seeded Mound-Westonka Whitehawks. The Raiders make their second straight trip down Highway 3 to St. Paul and hope to erase the zero from their side of the scoreboard for the first time in three games. Last year, they were shut out by Warroad 3-0 in the quarterfinals and 2-0 by Luverne in the consolation semifinals. Mound-Westonka, which also has students from Watertown-Mayer and Southwest Christian in Chaska is back in the Class A field for the first time since 2013. It's also the first trip to state for head coach Jack Gravel, who was a long-time assistant to David Herbst at Benilde-St. Margaret's. He replaced Chris Erickson, who is now the Hopkins/Park head coach. The
Whitehawks enter the state tournament with a five game winning streak and beat top seeded Delano/Rockford in the Section 5A final. Can they make it six straight wins against the Raiders?
Next up, the state Class AA preview.
GAMES PLAYED AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER IN ST. PAUL
11:00: Mankato East/Loyola vs. St. Paul United (Seed 2)
1:00: Hibbling Chisholm vs. Warroad (Seed 3)
6:00: Alexandria vs. Blake (Seed 1)
8:00: Northfield (Seed 5) vs. Mound-Westonka (Seed 4)
Examining the Field: The 2017 edition of the state girls hockey tournament opens with the Mankato East/Loyola Cougars facing second seeded St. Paul United, who lost to Blake in last year's Class A final. It's the first trip to St. Paul by a Mankato based team since a combined Mankato East/West team played in the 1999 tournament. St. Paul United, comprised of students from St. Paul Academy and Visitation came back after losing their last two regular season games to Hill-Murray and Breck to win their two Section 4A games and advance to their third state tournament. SPU is one of the favorites to go to the Class A final, losing only five players from last year's team.
The afternoon session concludes with the Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets going up against the third seeded Warroad Warriors. The Bluejackets will be playing in their 10th state tournament and their first under Emily Erickson, who took over the head coaching reigns from Pete Hyduke. They have finished second in the Class A tournament four times since winning their last state title in 1997 and it will a tough one against Warroad, who is in their eighth state tournament. The Warriors are on a roll, winning eight of their last nine games. Last year, they took home the third place trophy. Can they advance to their sixth Class A title game?
The evening session opens with the Alexandria Cardinals making their fifth consecutive trip and 11th overall down I-94 to the X. That's the good news. The bad news is they go up against the top seeded and defending Class A champion Blake Bears. The Bears are playing in their ninth state tournament and looking for their seventh state title. Madeline Wethington led Blake in their quest for state with two goals in the Section 5A final as they bounced back from a 3-2 deficit against the rival Breck Mustangs. Blake has good young talent and only three seniors on their roster. Head coach Shawn Reid has kept the winning tradition alive since he took over for the late Brano Stankovsky following the 2009 state Class A title. They are the definitive favorites for the Class A title and perhaps several more to come.
Closing out the first day's festivities will be the fifth seeded Northfield Raiders and the fourth seeded Mound-Westonka Whitehawks. The Raiders make their second straight trip down Highway 3 to St. Paul and hope to erase the zero from their side of the scoreboard for the first time in three games. Last year, they were shut out by Warroad 3-0 in the quarterfinals and 2-0 by Luverne in the consolation semifinals. Mound-Westonka, which also has students from Watertown-Mayer and Southwest Christian in Chaska is back in the Class A field for the first time since 2013. It's also the first trip to state for head coach Jack Gravel, who was a long-time assistant to David Herbst at Benilde-St. Margaret's. He replaced Chris Erickson, who is now the Hopkins/Park head coach. The
Whitehawks enter the state tournament with a five game winning streak and beat top seeded Delano/Rockford in the Section 5A final. Can they make it six straight wins against the Raiders?
Next up, the state Class AA preview.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
2017 Class A Boys Hockey Section Preview
Following the preview of the eight Class AA sections will be a preview of the eight Class A sections. \
In Section 1, the top seeded Northfield Raiders could make their second trip in two weeks down Highway 3 to St. Paul like their female counterparts but look out for the hot second seeded Rochester Lourdes Eagles who have won seven games in a row. Mix in the third seeded Red Wing Wingers, the fourth seeded Mankato West Scarlets and the fifth seeded Mankato East Cougars and this could be a tough section to pick a winner.
Can the top seeded Delano Tigers end the Breck Mustangs reign in Section 2? The Tigers are led by Mr. Hockey finalist Ben Meyers, who will play at Maine next season. The Mustangs are on an 11 game winning streak and Les Larson's bunch could maintain their momentum and head back to St. Paul.
The Luverne Tigers are the top seed in Section 3. Also in the hunt are the second seeded Marshall Tigers, the third seeded Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato Dragons and the fourth seeded New Ulm Eagles.
In Section 4, the top seeded St. Paul Academy Spartans are the number one seed. Also contending are the second seeded Mahtomedi Zephyrs and the third seeded St. Paul Johnson Governors.
Section 5 could be a really good race to the championship with op seeded Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lake. The second seeded North Branch Vikings are on an eight game winning streak but look out for the third seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats, the fourth seeded Princeton Tigers and the fifth seeded Pine City Dragons. It' s a toughie with not a true favorite to head to the X.
The pairings have not been posted for Section 6 but it could be a two team race between the St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders and the Alexandria Cardinals.
Now to Section 7, where the top seed is the defending Class A champion Hermantown Hawks. The Hawks have won 23 consecutive games and have the talent to go back to St. Paul. Looking to end the hwks dominance are the second seeded Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets and the third seeded Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin Raiders.
Concluding the section preview is Section 8 with the top seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave looking to hold off the second seeded Thief River Falls Prowlers, the third seeded Warroad Warriors and the fourth seeded Detroit Lakes-Perham Cardinals.
There you have it, the eight Class A sections. Let the battles begin for state tournament berths.
In Section 1, the top seeded Northfield Raiders could make their second trip in two weeks down Highway 3 to St. Paul like their female counterparts but look out for the hot second seeded Rochester Lourdes Eagles who have won seven games in a row. Mix in the third seeded Red Wing Wingers, the fourth seeded Mankato West Scarlets and the fifth seeded Mankato East Cougars and this could be a tough section to pick a winner.
Can the top seeded Delano Tigers end the Breck Mustangs reign in Section 2? The Tigers are led by Mr. Hockey finalist Ben Meyers, who will play at Maine next season. The Mustangs are on an 11 game winning streak and Les Larson's bunch could maintain their momentum and head back to St. Paul.
The Luverne Tigers are the top seed in Section 3. Also in the hunt are the second seeded Marshall Tigers, the third seeded Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato Dragons and the fourth seeded New Ulm Eagles.
In Section 4, the top seeded St. Paul Academy Spartans are the number one seed. Also contending are the second seeded Mahtomedi Zephyrs and the third seeded St. Paul Johnson Governors.
Section 5 could be a really good race to the championship with op seeded Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lake. The second seeded North Branch Vikings are on an eight game winning streak but look out for the third seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats, the fourth seeded Princeton Tigers and the fifth seeded Pine City Dragons. It' s a toughie with not a true favorite to head to the X.
The pairings have not been posted for Section 6 but it could be a two team race between the St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders and the Alexandria Cardinals.
Now to Section 7, where the top seed is the defending Class A champion Hermantown Hawks. The Hawks have won 23 consecutive games and have the talent to go back to St. Paul. Looking to end the hwks dominance are the second seeded Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets and the third seeded Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin Raiders.
Concluding the section preview is Section 8 with the top seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave looking to hold off the second seeded Thief River Falls Prowlers, the third seeded Warroad Warriors and the fourth seeded Detroit Lakes-Perham Cardinals.
There you have it, the eight Class A sections. Let the battles begin for state tournament berths.
2017 Class AA Boys Hockey Section Preview
As the girls hockey season winds down with the state tournament, it's the boys turn to begin The Road to St. Paul. Here's a preview of the eight Class AA sections.
In Section 1, the two top seeds are fro Lakeville with the Lakeville North Panthers the top seed and the Lakeville South Cougars second. The third seeded Farmington Tigers have lost five straight games but don't count out the fourth seeded Rochester Century Panthers or the fifth seeded Owatonna Huskies. This could be an interesting section.
The top seed in Section 2 is the Eden Prairie Eagles, led by Mr. Hockey finalist Casey Mittelstadt. The Eagles are on a 13 game winning streak but the second seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire could be a big threat to Eden Prairie's return to the X if hey can come back after losing to the Stillwater Ponies. Also in the hunt are the third seeded Minnetonka Skippers, the fourth seeded Prior Lake Lakers and the fifth seeded Chaska Hawks. Keep an eye on Section 2. There's plenty of talent. Who will emerge with the championship trophy March 1 at Mariucci Arena?
Section 3 is led by the top seeded St. Thomas Academy Cadets who are on an eight game winning streak. But don't count out the second seeded Burnsville Blaze or the third seeded Eastview Lightning.
Now to Section 4 where the top seeded Stillwater Ponies were the state's top ranked Class AA tam until they lost to White Bear Lake on January 14. There could be a rematch with the Bears in the section final but first they have to get past the second seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers.
It could be a two team race in Section 5 with the top seeded Centennial Cougars and the second seeded Maple Grove Crimson. There could be a rubber game in the section final since both teams split their regular season series. Also in contention is the third seeded Blaine Bengals.
For the first time in years, Section 6 is down in talent. But it doesn't mean that there are several teams that could contend for a trip to St. Paul. The top seeded Edina Hornets, the second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders, the defending Class AA champion Wayzata Trojans, the fourth seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights and the fifth seeded St. Louis Park Orioles. Who will come out of this section? Take your pick.
Head up north to Section 7 and the top seeded Elk River/Zimmerman Elks have won seven straight games. But don't count out the second seeded Duluth East Greyhounds who lost to the Elks 4-1 on February 4. Third seeded Cloquet-Esko-Carlton could also be in the mix.
Wrapping up the Class AA preview is Section 8. The pairings have not been released yet by the top two seeds could be the Moorhead Spuds and the St. Michael-Albertville Knights. The Knighta are looking for their fist trip to state but they may have to contend with the perennial power the Roseau Rams.
Next up, the eight Class A sections.
In Section 1, the two top seeds are fro Lakeville with the Lakeville North Panthers the top seed and the Lakeville South Cougars second. The third seeded Farmington Tigers have lost five straight games but don't count out the fourth seeded Rochester Century Panthers or the fifth seeded Owatonna Huskies. This could be an interesting section.
The top seed in Section 2 is the Eden Prairie Eagles, led by Mr. Hockey finalist Casey Mittelstadt. The Eagles are on a 13 game winning streak but the second seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire could be a big threat to Eden Prairie's return to the X if hey can come back after losing to the Stillwater Ponies. Also in the hunt are the third seeded Minnetonka Skippers, the fourth seeded Prior Lake Lakers and the fifth seeded Chaska Hawks. Keep an eye on Section 2. There's plenty of talent. Who will emerge with the championship trophy March 1 at Mariucci Arena?
Section 3 is led by the top seeded St. Thomas Academy Cadets who are on an eight game winning streak. But don't count out the second seeded Burnsville Blaze or the third seeded Eastview Lightning.
Now to Section 4 where the top seeded Stillwater Ponies were the state's top ranked Class AA tam until they lost to White Bear Lake on January 14. There could be a rematch with the Bears in the section final but first they have to get past the second seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers.
It could be a two team race in Section 5 with the top seeded Centennial Cougars and the second seeded Maple Grove Crimson. There could be a rubber game in the section final since both teams split their regular season series. Also in contention is the third seeded Blaine Bengals.
For the first time in years, Section 6 is down in talent. But it doesn't mean that there are several teams that could contend for a trip to St. Paul. The top seeded Edina Hornets, the second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders, the defending Class AA champion Wayzata Trojans, the fourth seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights and the fifth seeded St. Louis Park Orioles. Who will come out of this section? Take your pick.
Head up north to Section 7 and the top seeded Elk River/Zimmerman Elks have won seven straight games. But don't count out the second seeded Duluth East Greyhounds who lost to the Elks 4-1 on February 4. Third seeded Cloquet-Esko-Carlton could also be in the mix.
Wrapping up the Class AA preview is Section 8. The pairings have not been released yet by the top two seeds could be the Moorhead Spuds and the St. Michael-Albertville Knights. The Knighta are looking for their fist trip to state but they may have to contend with the perennial power the Roseau Rams.
Next up, the eight Class A sections.
Friday, February 17, 2017
Neudecker One of Ten Finalists for 2017 Mr. Hockey Award
He's been one of the keys to the St. Louis Park Orioles boys hockey team's success this season and it has paid off for senior Bauer Neudecker, who is one of ten finalists for the 2017 Mr. Hockey Award.
Neudecker has scored 39 goals and picked up 34 assists for a total of 73 points. He is third in points among the state's boys hockey players behind another Mr. Hockey finalist, Ben Meyers of Delano with 93 and Brian Halonen, also from Delano with 78.
This season, Neudecker has recorded five hat tricks and has a season high six goals in the home opener against Rochester Mayo December 1.
Though Neudecker has not decided where he will be playing college hockey, he will head to Alaska following the conclusion of the St. Louis Park season to play for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the NAHL.
The rest of the Mr. Hockey finalists features a pair of players from the defending Class A champion Hermantown Hawks Dylan Samberg and Ryan Sandelin, Casey Mittlestadt and Nicky Leivermann of Eden Prairie, Matt Anderson of Holy Family Catholic, Noah Cates of Stillwater, Micah Miller of Grand Rapids and Nick Perbix of Elk River.
The winner will be announced at the Mr. Hockey Awards Banquet Sunday, March 12 at noon at the St. Paul RiverCentre. In addition, the Frank Brimsek Award will be presented to Minnesota's top senior goalie. The two finalists are Jake Begley of Hill-Murray and Cade McEwen of Hermantown. Can Neudecker lead the Orioles quest to the state tournament and bring home the Mr. Hockey Award?
Neudecker has scored 39 goals and picked up 34 assists for a total of 73 points. He is third in points among the state's boys hockey players behind another Mr. Hockey finalist, Ben Meyers of Delano with 93 and Brian Halonen, also from Delano with 78.
This season, Neudecker has recorded five hat tricks and has a season high six goals in the home opener against Rochester Mayo December 1.
Though Neudecker has not decided where he will be playing college hockey, he will head to Alaska following the conclusion of the St. Louis Park season to play for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the NAHL.
The rest of the Mr. Hockey finalists features a pair of players from the defending Class A champion Hermantown Hawks Dylan Samberg and Ryan Sandelin, Casey Mittlestadt and Nicky Leivermann of Eden Prairie, Matt Anderson of Holy Family Catholic, Noah Cates of Stillwater, Micah Miller of Grand Rapids and Nick Perbix of Elk River.
The winner will be announced at the Mr. Hockey Awards Banquet Sunday, March 12 at noon at the St. Paul RiverCentre. In addition, the Frank Brimsek Award will be presented to Minnesota's top senior goalie. The two finalists are Jake Begley of Hill-Murray and Cade McEwen of Hermantown. Can Neudecker lead the Orioles quest to the state tournament and bring home the Mr. Hockey Award?
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Christian Life Academy Hawks Come to Life in Second Half
Kyle Ringley rang up 23 points to lead the Christian Life Academy Hawks to a 69-57 win over the Groves Academy Griffins Thursday night in St. Louis Park.
The Griffins got on the board :22 into the game on a three pointer from Max Bilcik. Jacob Kyllo would put the Hawks ahead with four straight points and Noah Madson would also score four straight on a 6-0 run for Groves Academy. Ethan Eide would end the run for Christian Life Academy with three consecutive points. Both teams would hit shots from Lake St. with Bryce Kindle and Caleb Carlson for the Hawks and Larry Mohamed and Malik Bodden for the Griffins. Mohamed got the start tonight in place of the absent Max Greseth. Groves Academy would go on a 5-0 run that included a three pointer from Patrick Quinn. It looked like Groves Academy would be in the lead as the first half came to a close. But it was Ringley who hit a shot at the buzzer to even the halftime score at 32.
Madson would begin scoring for the Griffins :19 into the second half. Eide would counter to tie the game at 34. Both teams traded baskets to tie the game at 36. Quinn would score to put Groves Academy ahead and the lead would change hands until Ringley began to heat up the Hawk offense with a pair of three point plays that would put them on a 9-0 run. The Griffins would cut the lead to four on Quinn's three pointer. He would later hit another three. However, foul trouble would be the factor that would put Christian Life Academy ahead for the remainder of the game. Quinn, Bilcik and Madson would all foul out and the Griffin bench was charged with a technical foul. The Hawks would get four straight points from Eide and Groves Academy didn't get inside 10 for the final margin.
Other players in double figures for Christian Life Academy were Eide with 17 points and Kyllo with 14. Bodden led Groves Academy with 18 points and Madson added 12.
The Hawks snapped a four game losing streak and improved their record to 6-14. They close out their regular season on Thursday, February 23 as they travel down Highway 218 to Lyle to face the Lyle/Austin Pacelli Athletics at 7:15 PM. The Griffins fell to 1-20 and head to Edina to take on Chesterton Academy on Tuesday, February 21 at 5:30 PM.
At halftime, the Groves Academy fifth and sixth grade coed team scrimmaged. Their season record is 7-2.
The Griffins got on the board :22 into the game on a three pointer from Max Bilcik. Jacob Kyllo would put the Hawks ahead with four straight points and Noah Madson would also score four straight on a 6-0 run for Groves Academy. Ethan Eide would end the run for Christian Life Academy with three consecutive points. Both teams would hit shots from Lake St. with Bryce Kindle and Caleb Carlson for the Hawks and Larry Mohamed and Malik Bodden for the Griffins. Mohamed got the start tonight in place of the absent Max Greseth. Groves Academy would go on a 5-0 run that included a three pointer from Patrick Quinn. It looked like Groves Academy would be in the lead as the first half came to a close. But it was Ringley who hit a shot at the buzzer to even the halftime score at 32.
Madson would begin scoring for the Griffins :19 into the second half. Eide would counter to tie the game at 34. Both teams traded baskets to tie the game at 36. Quinn would score to put Groves Academy ahead and the lead would change hands until Ringley began to heat up the Hawk offense with a pair of three point plays that would put them on a 9-0 run. The Griffins would cut the lead to four on Quinn's three pointer. He would later hit another three. However, foul trouble would be the factor that would put Christian Life Academy ahead for the remainder of the game. Quinn, Bilcik and Madson would all foul out and the Griffin bench was charged with a technical foul. The Hawks would get four straight points from Eide and Groves Academy didn't get inside 10 for the final margin.
Other players in double figures for Christian Life Academy were Eide with 17 points and Kyllo with 14. Bodden led Groves Academy with 18 points and Madson added 12.
The Hawks snapped a four game losing streak and improved their record to 6-14. They close out their regular season on Thursday, February 23 as they travel down Highway 218 to Lyle to face the Lyle/Austin Pacelli Athletics at 7:15 PM. The Griffins fell to 1-20 and head to Edina to take on Chesterton Academy on Tuesday, February 21 at 5:30 PM.
At halftime, the Groves Academy fifth and sixth grade coed team scrimmaged. Their season record is 7-2.
Blake Bears Head Back to State
Fans who lined up outside the Parade Ice Garden throughout the first period didn't miss an exciting finish as CC Wallin scored the game winning goal with 8:00 left in the third period to lead the Blake Bears to a 5-4 come from behind win over the Breck Mustangs Thursday night in the Section 5A Girls Hockey Championship Game in Minneapolis.
It was the fifth consecutive section title for the defending state Class A champions.
Both teams would tally in the first period. Olivia Mobley would score for the Mustangs and Sara McClanahan for the Bears.
The second period would feature the same scenario as both teams tacked on another goal. McClanahan scored her second goal when she rebounded Audrey Wethington's shot to put Blake ahead. Breck would tie the game at two on a power play goal from Mobley, her second of the game.
The Mustangs would take the lead early in the third period on Mobley's hat trick goal 1:01 into the period. Would it be enough to send the Golden Valley based team to St. Paul next week? The answer would be no as the Bears would score three goals to wrap up the section title. First, it would be McClanahan, who passed the puck to Madeline Wethington behind the left off circle and she drove it into the net to tie the game. Madeline Wethington would also play a role in the eventual game winner as she fed Wallin on the right point and she would go top shelf to put Blake ahead. She would wrap up the Bears scoring after Breck goalie Ally Frantzick for a sixth attacker and drove the puck down the ice like the team bus heading down I-394 and it would enter the net. But the Mustangs would pick up a late goal as Nicole Oppenheimer scored with :14.7 remaining and that was all Breck could do.
The Bears improved their record to 24-2-1 and will play in the state Class A quarterfinals on Wednesday, February 22 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The Mustangs ended their season with a record of 19-6-3.
It was the fifth consecutive section title for the defending state Class A champions.
Both teams would tally in the first period. Olivia Mobley would score for the Mustangs and Sara McClanahan for the Bears.
The second period would feature the same scenario as both teams tacked on another goal. McClanahan scored her second goal when she rebounded Audrey Wethington's shot to put Blake ahead. Breck would tie the game at two on a power play goal from Mobley, her second of the game.
The Mustangs would take the lead early in the third period on Mobley's hat trick goal 1:01 into the period. Would it be enough to send the Golden Valley based team to St. Paul next week? The answer would be no as the Bears would score three goals to wrap up the section title. First, it would be McClanahan, who passed the puck to Madeline Wethington behind the left off circle and she drove it into the net to tie the game. Madeline Wethington would also play a role in the eventual game winner as she fed Wallin on the right point and she would go top shelf to put Blake ahead. She would wrap up the Bears scoring after Breck goalie Ally Frantzick for a sixth attacker and drove the puck down the ice like the team bus heading down I-394 and it would enter the net. But the Mustangs would pick up a late goal as Nicole Oppenheimer scored with :14.7 remaining and that was all Breck could do.
The Bears improved their record to 24-2-1 and will play in the state Class A quarterfinals on Wednesday, February 22 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. The Mustangs ended their season with a record of 19-6-3.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
2017 Section 5A Final Has Familiar Ring
Thursday night's Section 5A Girls Hockey Championship match up is a familiar one as the defending Class A champion Blake Bears battle the Breck Mustangs at 7:30 at the Parade Ice Garden in Minneapolis.
It will be the third meeting this season between the two private school rivals with the Bears victorious in both games, coming away with a 4-1 win on December 10 and a 4-2 win on January 10.
Since the Breck win on January 10, Blake has not given up more than one goal in its last eight games. They have outscored the opposition 40-6. The only two times this season the Bears have given up more than two goals were to a pair of Class AA school that have won state titles. They were defeated by the Hill-Murray Pioneers on November 18 3-0 and lost to the defending Class AA champion Eden Prairie Eagles on December 22 3-1.
As for Breck, other than their two losses to Blake, they lost three games to Class AA schools. They lost to Benilde-St. Margaret's 2-1 on November 15, a 5-4 overtime defeat to the top ranked Edina Hornets on December 6 and a 2-1 loss to the Maple Grove Crimson on January 24.
Breck advanced to the Section 5A final with a pair of wins. In the quarterfinals, they beat the Toino-Grace Eagles 8-1. Gopher signee Grace Zumwinkle got the hat trick as the Mustangs outshot the Eagles 49-13.
Zumwinkle would get the eventual game winner in the semifinals as she scored a power play goal with 2:40 left in the first period to beat the Princeton-Big Lake-Becker Tigers 2-1. Neither team would put the puck in the net the remainder of the game as Tiger goalie Kara Schramel would stop 19 Mustang shots.
Following a quarterfinal bye, the Bears clinched a championship berth with an 8-1 win over the Minneapolis Novas. Izzy Daniel would score two first period goals and Lucy Burton and Audrey Wethington scored two apiece to bring Blake a step closer to securing its fifth consecutive trip to the X.
The scene is set. Breck and Blake. A familiar section rivalry with a state tournament berth on the line Thursday night.
It will be the third meeting this season between the two private school rivals with the Bears victorious in both games, coming away with a 4-1 win on December 10 and a 4-2 win on January 10.
Since the Breck win on January 10, Blake has not given up more than one goal in its last eight games. They have outscored the opposition 40-6. The only two times this season the Bears have given up more than two goals were to a pair of Class AA school that have won state titles. They were defeated by the Hill-Murray Pioneers on November 18 3-0 and lost to the defending Class AA champion Eden Prairie Eagles on December 22 3-1.
As for Breck, other than their two losses to Blake, they lost three games to Class AA schools. They lost to Benilde-St. Margaret's 2-1 on November 15, a 5-4 overtime defeat to the top ranked Edina Hornets on December 6 and a 2-1 loss to the Maple Grove Crimson on January 24.
Breck advanced to the Section 5A final with a pair of wins. In the quarterfinals, they beat the Toino-Grace Eagles 8-1. Gopher signee Grace Zumwinkle got the hat trick as the Mustangs outshot the Eagles 49-13.
Zumwinkle would get the eventual game winner in the semifinals as she scored a power play goal with 2:40 left in the first period to beat the Princeton-Big Lake-Becker Tigers 2-1. Neither team would put the puck in the net the remainder of the game as Tiger goalie Kara Schramel would stop 19 Mustang shots.
Following a quarterfinal bye, the Bears clinched a championship berth with an 8-1 win over the Minneapolis Novas. Izzy Daniel would score two first period goals and Lucy Burton and Audrey Wethington scored two apiece to bring Blake a step closer to securing its fifth consecutive trip to the X.
The scene is set. Breck and Blake. A familiar section rivalry with a state tournament berth on the line Thursday night.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
DeLaSalle Islanders Hold Off Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders
A packed gym on the banks of the Mississippi River was the site for a Saturday night key nonconference boys basketball game where Dominic Bledsoe's three pointer with 2:13 left in regulation time that helped the host DeLaSalle Islanders beat the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders 60-59.
For the fans who arrived a bit late due to the walk from the overflow parking on Island Ave., there was no scoring until Daniel Oturu opened the scoring 1:31 into the first half. The Raiders would open the game on a 7-0 run that would end when Tyrell Terry's free throw erased the zero from the Islanders side of the scoreboard with 12:40 left in the half. Gabe Kalscheur would score four straight points and Bledsoe would hit a three pointer to put DeLaSalle, the number one ranked team in Class AAA on a 12-0 run. Jayden King would hit from Nicollet Island to end the run. It would be Oturu, the junior who committed to Minnesota who would be a dominant presence on offense as well as defense as he scored three straight points. King's three pointer would spark a 6-0 run and the Raiders led at halftime 23-18.
Oturu, the 6'10" junior, would open the second half scoring for CDH with four straight points. DeLaSalle would go on a 7-0 run that included a three pointer from Kalscheur and four straight points from Sage Booker. Christian Dickson would put the Islanders ahead on an assist from Terry. Oturu would show good post play as he evened the game at 33 and eventually put the Raiders ahead. The Islanders would vault into the lead as Goanar Mar scored on a dunk. King would hit a three pointer to put CDH ahead and Oturu would hit a three point play. Mar would hit a free throw to tie the game at 51 and Bledsoe's three pointer would put DeLaSalle ahead. Mar would get a steal and a score to put the Islanders ahead with 1:02 to play. But Oturu would bring the Raiders back to a one point lead with :30.1 DeLaSalle would go up by three and CDH would go for the last shot after a time out was taken with :18 to go. A three pointer was missed and Oturu scored on a rebound as time expired to keep the game from heading into overtime.
Mar led the Islanders with 15 points. Other players in double figures were Kalscheur with 14 points, Terry and Bledsoe added 10. Oturu led the Raiders with 25 points. King had 11 and Ryan Larson 10.
DeLaSalle improved their record to 17-2 and returns to action on Tuesday, February 14 as they host the Columbia Heights Hylanders at 7 PM. CDH, ranked seventh in Class AAAA, will travel to Forest Lake on the 14th for a 7:15 game against the Rangers.
For the fans who arrived a bit late due to the walk from the overflow parking on Island Ave., there was no scoring until Daniel Oturu opened the scoring 1:31 into the first half. The Raiders would open the game on a 7-0 run that would end when Tyrell Terry's free throw erased the zero from the Islanders side of the scoreboard with 12:40 left in the half. Gabe Kalscheur would score four straight points and Bledsoe would hit a three pointer to put DeLaSalle, the number one ranked team in Class AAA on a 12-0 run. Jayden King would hit from Nicollet Island to end the run. It would be Oturu, the junior who committed to Minnesota who would be a dominant presence on offense as well as defense as he scored three straight points. King's three pointer would spark a 6-0 run and the Raiders led at halftime 23-18.
Oturu, the 6'10" junior, would open the second half scoring for CDH with four straight points. DeLaSalle would go on a 7-0 run that included a three pointer from Kalscheur and four straight points from Sage Booker. Christian Dickson would put the Islanders ahead on an assist from Terry. Oturu would show good post play as he evened the game at 33 and eventually put the Raiders ahead. The Islanders would vault into the lead as Goanar Mar scored on a dunk. King would hit a three pointer to put CDH ahead and Oturu would hit a three point play. Mar would hit a free throw to tie the game at 51 and Bledsoe's three pointer would put DeLaSalle ahead. Mar would get a steal and a score to put the Islanders ahead with 1:02 to play. But Oturu would bring the Raiders back to a one point lead with :30.1 DeLaSalle would go up by three and CDH would go for the last shot after a time out was taken with :18 to go. A three pointer was missed and Oturu scored on a rebound as time expired to keep the game from heading into overtime.
Mar led the Islanders with 15 points. Other players in double figures were Kalscheur with 14 points, Terry and Bledsoe added 10. Oturu led the Raiders with 25 points. King had 11 and Ryan Larson 10.
DeLaSalle improved their record to 17-2 and returns to action on Tuesday, February 14 as they host the Columbia Heights Hylanders at 7 PM. CDH, ranked seventh in Class AAAA, will travel to Forest Lake on the 14th for a 7:15 game against the Rangers.
Strong Third Period Leads Hopkins/Park Royals to Section 6AA Quarterfinal Win
Saturday afternoon was stellar for Stella Haberman as she scored two goals and two assists to lead the Hopkins/Park Royals to a 7-1 win over the North Metro Stars in the Section 6AA girls hockey quarterfinals at the Parade Ice Garden in Minneapolis.
The Royals got the lone first period goal on the power play after Grace Olson served a bench minor for too many players on the ice and Kate Glover lined a shot from the right point that landed in the net.
Hopkins/Park began the second period scoring with another power play goal when Haberman got a pass from Makayla Jones-Klausing and she went around the right side of the net and went top shelf. North Metro got on the scoreboard while Haberman was serving a cross checking penalty. Laura Denchfield received a pass from Kayla Shadle and she fired a shot from the left point that looked like it was tapped in by Olivia Frederickson who was barely outside the crease. But the goal was awarded to Denchfield since Frederickson didn't have any contact with the puck. The Royals would wrap up the second period scoring as Annika Patterson scored from the center lot and Hopkins/Park took a 3-1 lead into the locker room.
In the third period, the Royals would clinch a semifinal berth with three consecutive goals. Haberman would score her second goal of the game as she put the puck past Stars goalie Sophie Almquist. Amanda Olson would score Hopkins/Park's third power play goal off a pass from Charlotte Rich. The Royals would send the game into running time as Greta Bragg fired the puck from the left slot toward the goal. Running time would end with 1:26 left in the game when Erin Donaldson fed Sydney Namie and her name would enter the scoresheet as she scored North Metro's final goal.
Hopkins/Park improved their record to 16-10 and will play the winner of the Armstrong/Cooper-Cretin-Derham Hall game in the semifinals on Wednesday, February 15 at 7:30 at the Parade Ice Garden.
Royal goalie Annika Carlander was one of ten semifinalists for Let's Play Hockey's Senior Goalie of the Year award. Though she didn't become a finalist, head coach Chris Erickson gave his reaction to Carlander becoming a semifinalist.
"It was an honor to be in the top 10. There are a lot of top goalies and just an honor to be in the top 10 group."
The Royals got the lone first period goal on the power play after Grace Olson served a bench minor for too many players on the ice and Kate Glover lined a shot from the right point that landed in the net.
Hopkins/Park began the second period scoring with another power play goal when Haberman got a pass from Makayla Jones-Klausing and she went around the right side of the net and went top shelf. North Metro got on the scoreboard while Haberman was serving a cross checking penalty. Laura Denchfield received a pass from Kayla Shadle and she fired a shot from the left point that looked like it was tapped in by Olivia Frederickson who was barely outside the crease. But the goal was awarded to Denchfield since Frederickson didn't have any contact with the puck. The Royals would wrap up the second period scoring as Annika Patterson scored from the center lot and Hopkins/Park took a 3-1 lead into the locker room.
In the third period, the Royals would clinch a semifinal berth with three consecutive goals. Haberman would score her second goal of the game as she put the puck past Stars goalie Sophie Almquist. Amanda Olson would score Hopkins/Park's third power play goal off a pass from Charlotte Rich. The Royals would send the game into running time as Greta Bragg fired the puck from the left slot toward the goal. Running time would end with 1:26 left in the game when Erin Donaldson fed Sydney Namie and her name would enter the scoresheet as she scored North Metro's final goal.
Hopkins/Park improved their record to 16-10 and will play the winner of the Armstrong/Cooper-Cretin-Derham Hall game in the semifinals on Wednesday, February 15 at 7:30 at the Parade Ice Garden.
Royal goalie Annika Carlander was one of ten semifinalists for Let's Play Hockey's Senior Goalie of the Year award. Though she didn't become a finalist, head coach Chris Erickson gave his reaction to Carlander becoming a semifinalist.
"It was an honor to be in the top 10. There are a lot of top goalies and just an honor to be in the top 10 group."
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Liberty Classical Academy Lions Roar Past Groves Academy Griffins
The Twin Cities Athletic Conference Division 2 leading Liberty Classical Academy Lions had a blissful Thursday night as Nathaniel Bliss scored a game high 28 points to lead the Lions to a 83-50 win over the Groves Academy Griffins in St. Louis Park.
Liberty struck quickly as Luke Hill scored :05 after the opening tip. Patrick Quinn open the scoring for the Griffins to tie the game at two. Hill and Bliss would be the key components in the Lions 8-0 run before Malik Bodden hit a three pointer. There would also be dueling three point plays as Hill would score one for Liberty and Larry Mohamed for Groves Academy. Mohamed's three point play would be the bright spot for the Griffins in the first half as they were plagued by foul trouble as Bodden, Noah Madson and Max Bilcik had three fouls. Bodden would pick up his fourth foul with 3:58 left in the half as Bliss was hitting shots from inside as well as from Lake St.He would also score another three point play. William Reid would go to the line for three shots as he was fouled by Quinn while attempting a three pointer. He made two of three free throws. Liberty led 45-26 at halftime.
the Lions would widen their lead to start the second half as they opened on a 6-0 run. They would distance themselves further from the Griffins by scoring 11 straight points. Bilcik would score to end the run. But it was Bliss who would handle most of the scoring load in the second half as he would hit another three point play. With the game in running time due to the large second half margin, both head coaches, Joe Steiner of Liberty and Peter Shutte of Groves Academy cleared their benches and gave the reserves an opportunity to get some playing time.
Other players in double figures for the Lions were Hill with 21 points, Noah Nelson with 12 and Reid added 11. Bodden was the only Griffins in double figures, scoring a team high 21 points.
Liberty improves their record to 16-6 and ends their regular season on Friday, February 17 as they host the Nova Classical Academy Knights at 7:30. Groves Academy falls to 1-18 and will play at Nova Classical Academy on Tuesday, February 14 at 6 PM.
Liberty struck quickly as Luke Hill scored :05 after the opening tip. Patrick Quinn open the scoring for the Griffins to tie the game at two. Hill and Bliss would be the key components in the Lions 8-0 run before Malik Bodden hit a three pointer. There would also be dueling three point plays as Hill would score one for Liberty and Larry Mohamed for Groves Academy. Mohamed's three point play would be the bright spot for the Griffins in the first half as they were plagued by foul trouble as Bodden, Noah Madson and Max Bilcik had three fouls. Bodden would pick up his fourth foul with 3:58 left in the half as Bliss was hitting shots from inside as well as from Lake St.He would also score another three point play. William Reid would go to the line for three shots as he was fouled by Quinn while attempting a three pointer. He made two of three free throws. Liberty led 45-26 at halftime.
the Lions would widen their lead to start the second half as they opened on a 6-0 run. They would distance themselves further from the Griffins by scoring 11 straight points. Bilcik would score to end the run. But it was Bliss who would handle most of the scoring load in the second half as he would hit another three point play. With the game in running time due to the large second half margin, both head coaches, Joe Steiner of Liberty and Peter Shutte of Groves Academy cleared their benches and gave the reserves an opportunity to get some playing time.
Other players in double figures for the Lions were Hill with 21 points, Noah Nelson with 12 and Reid added 11. Bodden was the only Griffins in double figures, scoring a team high 21 points.
Liberty improves their record to 16-6 and ends their regular season on Friday, February 17 as they host the Nova Classical Academy Knights at 7:30. Groves Academy falls to 1-18 and will play at Nova Classical Academy on Tuesday, February 14 at 6 PM.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
SLP Orioles Turn Tables on Chanhassen Storm
Three weeks after the Chanhassen Storm ended the St. Louis Park Orioles nine game winning streak with a 3-0 shut out in Victoria, the same two teams battled at The Rec Center Tuesday night and this time it was Bauer Neudecker who scored a goal and picked up two assists to lead the Orioles to an identical 3-0 win over the Storm.
Bauer Neudecker opened the scoring for the Orioles in the first period after he received a pass from Riley Dvorak and drove through the center slot like a car driving down Wooddale Ave. two on one until he sent the puck to the upper right corner of the net.
The second period looked like there would be no scoring, even when there was a four on four situation for :36. But it was Bauer Neudcker who set up the period's lone goal for St. Louis Park with a pass to Grant Plender and he would score from the right corner with 3:34 left in the period.
In the third period, the Orioles would take advantage of an empty net as Storm head coach Chris Wilson pulled Zach Swisher with over 2:00 to go. Bauer Neudecker made a centering pass to Brenton Ryan and he found the open net with 1:49 remaining in the game.
Prior to the start of the game five Oriole seniors were honored on Senior Night. They were Bauer Neudecker, Plender, Austin Stafne, Matthew Meyer and Benji Wyberg. When the season ends, Bauer Neudecker will be playing in the NAHL with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Next season, Stafne will be heading for Bemidji State.
St. Louis Park improved their record to 17-5-1 and returns to action on Saturday, February 11 against the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars at 7 PM at the Bloomington Ice Garden. Chanhassen falls to 10-11-1 and will also be in action on the 11th as they host their district rivals the Chaska Hawks in a 3 PM game at the Victoria Field House.
Bauer Neudecker opened the scoring for the Orioles in the first period after he received a pass from Riley Dvorak and drove through the center slot like a car driving down Wooddale Ave. two on one until he sent the puck to the upper right corner of the net.
The second period looked like there would be no scoring, even when there was a four on four situation for :36. But it was Bauer Neudcker who set up the period's lone goal for St. Louis Park with a pass to Grant Plender and he would score from the right corner with 3:34 left in the period.
In the third period, the Orioles would take advantage of an empty net as Storm head coach Chris Wilson pulled Zach Swisher with over 2:00 to go. Bauer Neudecker made a centering pass to Brenton Ryan and he found the open net with 1:49 remaining in the game.
Prior to the start of the game five Oriole seniors were honored on Senior Night. They were Bauer Neudecker, Plender, Austin Stafne, Matthew Meyer and Benji Wyberg. When the season ends, Bauer Neudecker will be playing in the NAHL with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. Next season, Stafne will be heading for Bemidji State.
St. Louis Park improved their record to 17-5-1 and returns to action on Saturday, February 11 against the Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars at 7 PM at the Bloomington Ice Garden. Chanhassen falls to 10-11-1 and will also be in action on the 11th as they host their district rivals the Chaska Hawks in a 3 PM game at the Victoria Field House.
Monday, February 6, 2017
2017 Class A Girls Hockey Section Preview
After examining the eight Class AA sections, it's time to look at the eight Class A sections.
In Section 1, this could be the year the Red Wing Wingers return to the state tournament after they were dethroned in 2016 by the Northfield Raiders, who are seeded second. The Owatonna Huskies are the third seed.
Who will come out of Section 2? There are five possible candidates but only one will make the trip to St. Paul. Top seeded Delano/Rockford is vying for their first state tournament berth and they have gone 8-2 since the calendar changed from 2016 to 2017. The second seeded Mound-Westonka Whitehawks split with Delano/Rockford this season They have gone 14-2 since they lost to the New Prague Trojans on December 6. Those two defeats were to Delano/Rockford and Proctor/Hermantown. Could there be a rematch between Delano/Rockford in the section final? Not if the third seeded Hutchinson Tigers do what they failed to do in the regular season and beat Mound-Westonka. They lost both games to the Whitehawks by identical 3-2 scores. The fourth seeded New Prague Trojans could have a tough task ahead if they face Delano-Rockford in the semifinals. The sleeper team in the field is the fifth seeded New Ulm Eagles, who lost to Mound-Westonka and Hutchinson. The Eagles have won four straight games and look to return to the X. first they have to beat the New Prague Trojans. If you decide to catch only one section final, take a drive down Highway 169 to St. Peter and head for the Gustavus Adolphus ice arena to see the championship game on February 16. Who knows who will play for a trip to state?
Now to Section 3 where the top seeded Mankato East/Loyola Cougars and the second seeded Marshall Tigers are the only teams with winning records. The rest of the section has losing records. The Tigers have gone 9-2-1 since losing to the North Metro Stars on December 27 in the Schwan Cup. Can they earn their first trip to St. Paul?
Over in Section 4, top seeded St. Paul United looks to return to the X after losing in last year's class A final to the Blake Bears. But first they will likely contend with the second seeded South St. Paul Packers. Veteran head coach Dave Palmquist has had some outstanding teams over the years but can they beat St. Paul United for a trip back to the X?
The good news is that the two top seeds in Section 5 are the defending Class A champion Blake Bears and the Breck Mustangs. They have been the state's top two Class A teams this season. Now comes the bad news. Only one of them will be heading to St. Paul. The Bears swept the Mustangs in the regular season series. and haven't lost since December 22 to defending Class AA champion Eden Prairie. Breck will need to have a good game from Minnesota signee Grace Zumwinkle as well as play solid defense to end Blake's championship run. Bring a thermos of coffee if it's Blake and Breck for the section final. This game could last late into the night.
The pairings have not yet been determined in Section 6 but three teams to watch for are the Fergus Falls Otter, the Alexandria Cardinals and the Northern Lakes Lightning. It's a wide open field though the Lightning is on a roll with five straight wins.
On to Section 7 where the top seeded Proctor/Hermantown Mirage looks for a return trip to St. Paul after they took fourth place season. Their closest competitor is the second seeded Moose Lake Area Rebels, who the Mirage beat 3-1 on January 26. Third seeded Hibbing/Chisholm and the fourth seeded International Falls Broncos are also in the hunt.
Wrapping up the preview is Section 8 and the top seed is the Warroard Warriors who have gone 8-1-1 since they lost three straight games in their own holiday tournament in December. But don't count out the second seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave and the third seeded Thief River Falls Prowlers. The Prowlers found their offense after they were shut out in two straight games. Can they keep the offensive momentum going into sections?
That's the section preview. Who will emerge on the Road to St. Paul?
In Section 1, this could be the year the Red Wing Wingers return to the state tournament after they were dethroned in 2016 by the Northfield Raiders, who are seeded second. The Owatonna Huskies are the third seed.
Who will come out of Section 2? There are five possible candidates but only one will make the trip to St. Paul. Top seeded Delano/Rockford is vying for their first state tournament berth and they have gone 8-2 since the calendar changed from 2016 to 2017. The second seeded Mound-Westonka Whitehawks split with Delano/Rockford this season They have gone 14-2 since they lost to the New Prague Trojans on December 6. Those two defeats were to Delano/Rockford and Proctor/Hermantown. Could there be a rematch between Delano/Rockford in the section final? Not if the third seeded Hutchinson Tigers do what they failed to do in the regular season and beat Mound-Westonka. They lost both games to the Whitehawks by identical 3-2 scores. The fourth seeded New Prague Trojans could have a tough task ahead if they face Delano-Rockford in the semifinals. The sleeper team in the field is the fifth seeded New Ulm Eagles, who lost to Mound-Westonka and Hutchinson. The Eagles have won four straight games and look to return to the X. first they have to beat the New Prague Trojans. If you decide to catch only one section final, take a drive down Highway 169 to St. Peter and head for the Gustavus Adolphus ice arena to see the championship game on February 16. Who knows who will play for a trip to state?
Now to Section 3 where the top seeded Mankato East/Loyola Cougars and the second seeded Marshall Tigers are the only teams with winning records. The rest of the section has losing records. The Tigers have gone 9-2-1 since losing to the North Metro Stars on December 27 in the Schwan Cup. Can they earn their first trip to St. Paul?
Over in Section 4, top seeded St. Paul United looks to return to the X after losing in last year's class A final to the Blake Bears. But first they will likely contend with the second seeded South St. Paul Packers. Veteran head coach Dave Palmquist has had some outstanding teams over the years but can they beat St. Paul United for a trip back to the X?
The good news is that the two top seeds in Section 5 are the defending Class A champion Blake Bears and the Breck Mustangs. They have been the state's top two Class A teams this season. Now comes the bad news. Only one of them will be heading to St. Paul. The Bears swept the Mustangs in the regular season series. and haven't lost since December 22 to defending Class AA champion Eden Prairie. Breck will need to have a good game from Minnesota signee Grace Zumwinkle as well as play solid defense to end Blake's championship run. Bring a thermos of coffee if it's Blake and Breck for the section final. This game could last late into the night.
The pairings have not yet been determined in Section 6 but three teams to watch for are the Fergus Falls Otter, the Alexandria Cardinals and the Northern Lakes Lightning. It's a wide open field though the Lightning is on a roll with five straight wins.
On to Section 7 where the top seeded Proctor/Hermantown Mirage looks for a return trip to St. Paul after they took fourth place season. Their closest competitor is the second seeded Moose Lake Area Rebels, who the Mirage beat 3-1 on January 26. Third seeded Hibbing/Chisholm and the fourth seeded International Falls Broncos are also in the hunt.
Wrapping up the preview is Section 8 and the top seed is the Warroard Warriors who have gone 8-1-1 since they lost three straight games in their own holiday tournament in December. But don't count out the second seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave and the third seeded Thief River Falls Prowlers. The Prowlers found their offense after they were shut out in two straight games. Can they keep the offensive momentum going into sections?
That's the section preview. Who will emerge on the Road to St. Paul?
Sunday, February 5, 2017
2017 Class AA Girls Hockey Section Preview
As the regular season has wrapped up in Minnesota girls high school hockey, the Road to St. Paul begins with section playoffs in Class AA & A. First up are the eight Class AA sections.
If there's any guarantee in Section 1, the road to the X will go through Lakeville as the Lakeville South Cougars have the number one seed. They swept their city rivals, the second seeded Lakeville North Panthers in the season series and there could be a third "Battle of Lakeville" in the section final. But wait, there are two more contenders that could spoil the All Lakeville Showdown. The third seeded Farmington Tigers and the fourth seeded Dodge County Wildcats.
In Section 2, the top seeded and defending state champion Eden Prairie Eagles are the top seed but returning to St. Paul won't be an easy task. The Eagles will have to contend with the second seeded Minnetonka Skippers, the third seeded Shakopee Sabres and the red hot fourth seeded Chaska/Chanhassen Stormhawks who have won 10 straight games. This has the makings of a tough section.
The top seed in Section 3 is the Eastview Lightning, led by Ms. Hockey semifinalist Natalie Snodgrass. The Lightning are on a five game winning streak and will have to contend with the second seeded Eagan Wildcats and the third seeded East Ridge Raptors who are looking for their first trip to St. Paul.
The Hill-Murray Pioneers have been the dominate team in Section 4 the last several years and this year they are once again the number one seed. Hoping to derail their trip down I-35E are the second seeded Mounds View Mustangs and the third seeded White Bear Lake Bears.
The pairings have not been determined for Section 5 but in all likelihood the number one seed will be the Maple Grove Crimson, led by the goalie tandem of Breanna Blesi and Coco Francis. But don't count out as contenders the Blaine Bengals and the Rogers Royals. It could be an interesting section.
Now to Section 6 where the top ranked Edina Hornets are the number one seed. Thy have had an outstanding season under first year head coach Sami Reber and hope to bring a lot of green clad fans to the Xcel Energy Center's green seats. Also in contention are the second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders and third seeded Hopkins/Park. Can Hopkins/Park force a third meeting with the Hornets in the section final?
The pairings for Section 7 have not yet been determined but it could be a three team race between Elk River/Zimmerman, the Forest Lake Rangers and Greenway/Grand Rapids.
Also not online as of this post are the Section 8 pairings and there could be great news for hockey fans in Lakes Country and the Land of Lindbergh as Brainerd/Little Falls takes a 23-2 record into sections and a five game winning streak. Their only two losses this season have been by 1-0 scores to Greenway/Grand Rapids and Sartell/Sauk Rapids. Keep an eye out for the Roseau Rams and the St. Cloud Icebreakers.
Bus drivers in the Brainerd and Little Falls areas could be busy since there could be a horde of fans headed down Highway 10 to St. Paul as they cheer their team on in their first trip to state.
Next up will be the eight Class A sections.
If there's any guarantee in Section 1, the road to the X will go through Lakeville as the Lakeville South Cougars have the number one seed. They swept their city rivals, the second seeded Lakeville North Panthers in the season series and there could be a third "Battle of Lakeville" in the section final. But wait, there are two more contenders that could spoil the All Lakeville Showdown. The third seeded Farmington Tigers and the fourth seeded Dodge County Wildcats.
In Section 2, the top seeded and defending state champion Eden Prairie Eagles are the top seed but returning to St. Paul won't be an easy task. The Eagles will have to contend with the second seeded Minnetonka Skippers, the third seeded Shakopee Sabres and the red hot fourth seeded Chaska/Chanhassen Stormhawks who have won 10 straight games. This has the makings of a tough section.
The top seed in Section 3 is the Eastview Lightning, led by Ms. Hockey semifinalist Natalie Snodgrass. The Lightning are on a five game winning streak and will have to contend with the second seeded Eagan Wildcats and the third seeded East Ridge Raptors who are looking for their first trip to St. Paul.
The Hill-Murray Pioneers have been the dominate team in Section 4 the last several years and this year they are once again the number one seed. Hoping to derail their trip down I-35E are the second seeded Mounds View Mustangs and the third seeded White Bear Lake Bears.
The pairings have not been determined for Section 5 but in all likelihood the number one seed will be the Maple Grove Crimson, led by the goalie tandem of Breanna Blesi and Coco Francis. But don't count out as contenders the Blaine Bengals and the Rogers Royals. It could be an interesting section.
Now to Section 6 where the top ranked Edina Hornets are the number one seed. Thy have had an outstanding season under first year head coach Sami Reber and hope to bring a lot of green clad fans to the Xcel Energy Center's green seats. Also in contention are the second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders and third seeded Hopkins/Park. Can Hopkins/Park force a third meeting with the Hornets in the section final?
The pairings for Section 7 have not yet been determined but it could be a three team race between Elk River/Zimmerman, the Forest Lake Rangers and Greenway/Grand Rapids.
Also not online as of this post are the Section 8 pairings and there could be great news for hockey fans in Lakes Country and the Land of Lindbergh as Brainerd/Little Falls takes a 23-2 record into sections and a five game winning streak. Their only two losses this season have been by 1-0 scores to Greenway/Grand Rapids and Sartell/Sauk Rapids. Keep an eye out for the Roseau Rams and the St. Cloud Icebreakers.
Bus drivers in the Brainerd and Little Falls areas could be busy since there could be a horde of fans headed down Highway 10 to St. Paul as they cheer their team on in their first trip to state.
Next up will be the eight Class A sections.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Muse's Big Night Leads Heritage Academy Hawks
The Heritage Academy Hawks returned to St. Louis Park Friday night for a rematch with the Groves Academy Griffins and got another outstanding game from Abdurahman Muse who scored a game high 38 points to lead them to a 103-68 win.
It was the two schools first meeting since December 13 as the Hawks routed the Griffins 78-42. Muse was also the scoring leader in that game, amassing 20 points.
Fans got to see the game begin in an unusual way. There was no jump ball because Heritage Academy was assessed with a bench technical foul because the players were not entered in the official scorebook at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the game. The home scorebook is usually the official book. So, the game began at the free throw line with Groves Academy's Malik Bodden shooting the two free throws for the technical foul. Both of them missed the basket.
Muse put Heritage Academy on the board :38 into the game. Bodden would score four straight points to put Groves Academy ahead until Muse hit another shot from Minnetonka Blvd. to take the lead. There would be a battle of three pointers between the Hawks and the Giffins with Sharmarki Abdi scoring for the Hawks and Max Bilcik for the Griffins. While Groves Academy went on a 5-0 run and got close to Heritage Academy, Bilcik would get into foul trouble, picking up his third foul with 13:11 left in the first half. The Hawks would forge ahead, going on an 8-0 run that would end on a basket from Groves Academy reserve Larry Mohamed. The Griffins would have two other players plagued by fouls as Bodden picked up his third foul with 7:36 left and Larry Mohamed :13 later. Ahmed Mohamed would put Heritage Academy further ahead, scoring six straight points. He would also score an old fashioned three point play and the Hawks led at halftime 53-32.
Abdi would open the second half scoring with a three pointer :13 into the half. Patrick Quinn would open the Griffins scoring. It was Muse who would dominate the second half with outstanding outside as well as inside shooting that would help distance Heritage Academy further from Groves Academy. He would also score a three point play. Bodden would be a bright spot for the Griffins in the second half as he would slice into the Hawk lead with a 5-0 run. But it wouldn't be enough for Groves Academy to get back into the game. Muhamed Mohamed would also contribute for the Hawks with a three pointer as they broke the 100 point mark for the first time this season.
Other players in double figures for Heritage Academy were Ahmed Mohamed with 21 points. Abdi added 20. Bodden led Groves Academy with 25 points. Bilcik contributed 16.
The Hawks improved their record to 7-9 and will return to action on Monday, February 20 as they face the North Lakes Academy Huskies at 7 PM in Forest Lake. The Griffins fell to 1-17 and will travel to Math and Science Academy on Tuesday, February 7 to take on the Dragons at 7 PM.
It was the two schools first meeting since December 13 as the Hawks routed the Griffins 78-42. Muse was also the scoring leader in that game, amassing 20 points.
Fans got to see the game begin in an unusual way. There was no jump ball because Heritage Academy was assessed with a bench technical foul because the players were not entered in the official scorebook at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the game. The home scorebook is usually the official book. So, the game began at the free throw line with Groves Academy's Malik Bodden shooting the two free throws for the technical foul. Both of them missed the basket.
Muse put Heritage Academy on the board :38 into the game. Bodden would score four straight points to put Groves Academy ahead until Muse hit another shot from Minnetonka Blvd. to take the lead. There would be a battle of three pointers between the Hawks and the Giffins with Sharmarki Abdi scoring for the Hawks and Max Bilcik for the Griffins. While Groves Academy went on a 5-0 run and got close to Heritage Academy, Bilcik would get into foul trouble, picking up his third foul with 13:11 left in the first half. The Hawks would forge ahead, going on an 8-0 run that would end on a basket from Groves Academy reserve Larry Mohamed. The Griffins would have two other players plagued by fouls as Bodden picked up his third foul with 7:36 left and Larry Mohamed :13 later. Ahmed Mohamed would put Heritage Academy further ahead, scoring six straight points. He would also score an old fashioned three point play and the Hawks led at halftime 53-32.
Abdi would open the second half scoring with a three pointer :13 into the half. Patrick Quinn would open the Griffins scoring. It was Muse who would dominate the second half with outstanding outside as well as inside shooting that would help distance Heritage Academy further from Groves Academy. He would also score a three point play. Bodden would be a bright spot for the Griffins in the second half as he would slice into the Hawk lead with a 5-0 run. But it wouldn't be enough for Groves Academy to get back into the game. Muhamed Mohamed would also contribute for the Hawks with a three pointer as they broke the 100 point mark for the first time this season.
Other players in double figures for Heritage Academy were Ahmed Mohamed with 21 points. Abdi added 20. Bodden led Groves Academy with 25 points. Bilcik contributed 16.
The Hawks improved their record to 7-9 and will return to action on Monday, February 20 as they face the North Lakes Academy Huskies at 7 PM in Forest Lake. The Griffins fell to 1-17 and will travel to Math and Science Academy on Tuesday, February 7 to take on the Dragons at 7 PM.
Hopkins/Park's Carlander is Senior Goalie Semifinalist
The Top 10 semifinalists for Senior Goalie of the Year have been named, according to Let's Play Hockey and one of the candidates is Hopkins/Park goalie Annika Carlander.
Carlander has been in the nets for the bulk of the Royals schedule, compiling a record of 14-8 and a goals against average of 2.36. She has also recorded three shutouts. They came against Orono on November 10, Holy Angels on December 3 and Bloomington Jefferson on December 15.
Other senior goalie semifinalists include Maple Grove's tandem of Breanna Blessi and Coco Francis, Madeline Carlson of Orono, Sydney Culshaw of New Prague, Sarah Finley of Alexandria, Anna Goldstein of the top ranked team in Class AA, the Edina Hornets, Elizabeth Kubicek of Minnetonka, Emma Polusny of Mound-Westonka and Gabby Suhr of the Dodge County Wildcats.
The field will be narrowed when the five finalists for Senior Goalie of the Year are named on February 9 and the winner will be named along with the Ms. Hockey award winner on Sunday, February 26 at the St. Paul RiverCentre.
Can Carlander crack the top Five? She goes up against a tough field.
Carlander has been in the nets for the bulk of the Royals schedule, compiling a record of 14-8 and a goals against average of 2.36. She has also recorded three shutouts. They came against Orono on November 10, Holy Angels on December 3 and Bloomington Jefferson on December 15.
Other senior goalie semifinalists include Maple Grove's tandem of Breanna Blessi and Coco Francis, Madeline Carlson of Orono, Sydney Culshaw of New Prague, Sarah Finley of Alexandria, Anna Goldstein of the top ranked team in Class AA, the Edina Hornets, Elizabeth Kubicek of Minnetonka, Emma Polusny of Mound-Westonka and Gabby Suhr of the Dodge County Wildcats.
The field will be narrowed when the five finalists for Senior Goalie of the Year are named on February 9 and the winner will be named along with the Ms. Hockey award winner on Sunday, February 26 at the St. Paul RiverCentre.
Can Carlander crack the top Five? She goes up against a tough field.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Gopher Basketball PA Voice to Retire
For 31 years, his signature line "This is Golden Gopher Basketball!" has rang through Williams Arena prior to introducing the starting lineups prior to each men's basketball home game.
But at the conclusion of this season, Dick Jonckowski will be retiring after announcing more than 600 games since taking over the public address announcing duties from long time voice Julie Perlt. But his voice won't be leaving the University of Minnesota athletic scene for good. He will still handle the public address duties for Gopher baseball, including the inaugural indoor season at US Bank Stadium.
In addition to his involvement with Gopher athletics, Jonckowski, nicknamed "The Polish Eagle", will be emceeing numerous banquets and other events as well as serving as one of the PA announcers for the state high school boys and girls basketball tournaments and also the state baseball tournament. He's also the PA voice for the American Legion Baseball World Series, which will be held this year in Shelby, NC.
A native of New Prague and a long time resident of Shakopee, Jonckowski has also served as the public address announcer for Shakopee High School basketball games and has also has work amateur baseball at Joe Schleper Stadium. He also served his community as a sportscaster on radio station KSMM that included doing play-by-play for high school sports and hosting a Saturday morning show titled "Coaches Roundtable."
Jonckowski was also a voracious collector of sports memorablilia and it filled the basement of his Shakopee home. He ended up having to sell some of his collectibles due to his basement being flooded and to help with medical expenses when he was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2014.
From Clem Haskins to Richard Pittino, Jonckowski has been part of numerous memorable moments at The Barn. Though the Gophers are in a bit of a slump after a hot start, can they get back on the winning track as a way of honoring the voice who has served many maroon and gold clad fans who support Golden Gopher Basketball? There's plenty of season remaining, as well as the Big Ten Tournament in March and a possible NCAA tournament berth.
But at the conclusion of this season, Dick Jonckowski will be retiring after announcing more than 600 games since taking over the public address announcing duties from long time voice Julie Perlt. But his voice won't be leaving the University of Minnesota athletic scene for good. He will still handle the public address duties for Gopher baseball, including the inaugural indoor season at US Bank Stadium.
In addition to his involvement with Gopher athletics, Jonckowski, nicknamed "The Polish Eagle", will be emceeing numerous banquets and other events as well as serving as one of the PA announcers for the state high school boys and girls basketball tournaments and also the state baseball tournament. He's also the PA voice for the American Legion Baseball World Series, which will be held this year in Shelby, NC.
A native of New Prague and a long time resident of Shakopee, Jonckowski has also served as the public address announcer for Shakopee High School basketball games and has also has work amateur baseball at Joe Schleper Stadium. He also served his community as a sportscaster on radio station KSMM that included doing play-by-play for high school sports and hosting a Saturday morning show titled "Coaches Roundtable."
Jonckowski was also a voracious collector of sports memorablilia and it filled the basement of his Shakopee home. He ended up having to sell some of his collectibles due to his basement being flooded and to help with medical expenses when he was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2014.
From Clem Haskins to Richard Pittino, Jonckowski has been part of numerous memorable moments at The Barn. Though the Gophers are in a bit of a slump after a hot start, can they get back on the winning track as a way of honoring the voice who has served many maroon and gold clad fans who support Golden Gopher Basketball? There's plenty of season remaining, as well as the Big Ten Tournament in March and a possible NCAA tournament berth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)