What starts out with dreams of glory, scoring the game-winning goal to win the championship in overtime, is played out over and over in the minds of youngsters who will watch the games on TV, knowing someday, this dream may come true.

The television rights to The Tourney at one point were valued more than the rights to televise the Minnesota North Stars for the season. WCCO won the bid in 1985, paying $1.55 million for the next three years, which was about what the North Stars were paid for their season. At that time, the average TV viewership was 250,000 with another 100,000 in attendance for the three-day tourney. The WCCO broadcast team included the likes of Lou Nanne, Herb Brooks and Doug Woog.

It is in these broadcasts that youngsters begin to dream, from mites on up, that one day, they and their friends will be playing in St. Paul for the title. Tickets are willed down within families, with multiple years waiting list for those wanting tickets.

Viewing now actually goes beyond state borders as people from around the country and in places around the world are drawn back to viewing on the internet. The Tourney is more than what you see on TV. It starts when a child first starts to skate, playing for his community, and stays with him long after graduation.

The actual tournament starts in sectional play featuring every team playing hockey and ends in St. Paul where the top eight teams in two classes vie for the championship. Just to get to The Tourney is a milestone that is highly sought. Once in St. Paul, the teams start with seeing each other at a banquet honoring them for being there. It is well deserved.

Some teams in the tourney this year arrived as No. 5 seeds in their sectional tournament. Rogers, who at the end of the regular season was top ranked in some polls, was eliminated by Wayzata. Another top sectional seed in Hill-Murray was upset by Gentry Academy. Both fifth seeds won their section but saw their championship dream end in the state quarterfinals.

From West 7 th Street, the bars and restaurants, as well as the hotels, all fill up, with fans from around the state gathering for a four-day hockey tournament that continues to grow and flourish. At the restaurants and bars, from Mancini’s to Tom Reid’s and Zamboni’s, the chatter is all hockey, with the talk of past games and players being replayed, as well as the games that are going on.

Up in the press box, the television and radio, as well as print publications are full speed ahead, trying to cover and share the game with their audiences. The officials from the tournament are also watching their colleagues who are now on the ice, keeping the game safe and in control.

One of the officials up top is John Boche, who has officiated at all levels, from his early days calling youth games, to Division I and Division III college playoffs. His son, Brenden, is now part of his crew, who last year were the officials for the Class 2A final that saw Moorhead hold on to beat Stillwater 7-6.

For both classes, in the quarterfinals, the higher-seeded teams didn’t disappoint, with top seeds advancing, setting up Hibbing/Chisholm vs. Mahtomedi and Warroad vs. Delano Class 1A semifinals.

The Class 2A tourney saw top-seeded Minnetonka take on Rosemount, with Edina and Moorhead battling in the late game of the semifinals. These two games were played with more than 20,000 in attendance.

Both Boches were on the ice for the semifinal between Rosemount and Minnetonka, where Minnetonka won a close battle, 4-3, coming from a 2-0 deficit, rallying and winning in overtime to get them to the championship. In the other Class 2A semifinal, Moorhead broke open a tough, physical game against Edina, winning 3-1.

Minnetonka coach Sean Goldsworthy, son of former Minnesota North Star legend Bill Goldsworthy led the Skippers to the title in 2018 and again in 2023 and was thankful to advance.

“This team plays its best hockey the back half of each period because other teams get tired,” Goldsworthy said.

Minnetonka player Ethan Sturgis noted that “our super-strong schedule during the regular season puts us in a good spot for overtime games.”

Moorhead coach Jon Ammerman recalled: “We were on our heals a bit to start the first five minutes, but not too bad, finished the first well, with the second period having the puck a lot but not getting shots on net, but loved the way we played, and in the third period we played outstanding from start to finish.”

Moorhead junior forward Zac Zimmerman noted after defeating Edina: “It feels great, just knowing how special it was last year with 20,000 people there playing for your community. I am ready to do it again.”

In Class 1A, 3-seed Warroad beat 2-seed Delano 6-3, with top-seeded Hibbing/Chisholm beating Mahtomedi 4-2. The championship finals did not disappoint, as both games needed overtime to decide a champion.

Class 1A: All North final for the ages
It’s only fitting that this year’s Class 1A final featured two northern teams, Warroad and Hibbing/Chisholm. It is well documented why Warroad in the state of Hockey is known as Hockeytown USA. Warroad is just six miles from the Canadian border and has less than 2,000 residents. Its ties to USA hockey is every team that has won the Olympic Gold medal for the United States has had a player from Warroad on its roster, with the Christian brothers Roger and Bill in 1960, David Christian in 1980 and Brock Nelson in 2026.

Cal Marvin, the brother not involved in the global Marvin Windows company and what drives employment with more people employed than the population of the town, is considered the Godfather of Warroad hockey. His passion for the game was evident in his Warroad Lakers Senior A Men’s hockey club that were one of the most famous amateur hockey clubs in North America and a major factor of Warroad becoming Hockeytown USA.

The Club was established in 1946 playing in the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association, where they played for the Allan Cup. The winner of the Allan Cup, a Canadian nationwide hockey tournament, where the winning team represented Canada in the World and Olympic tournaments through 1960.

Warroad was the only club ever to win three-straight Allan Cups in 1994, 1995 and 1996, narrowly missing a fourth in 1997. The team folded after the 1997 season. This club built the tradition of hockey in Warroad with the Christians in Roger, Bill and Dave, along with former NHLer Henry Boucha playing for the Lakers.

Hibbing is no stranger to the state tourney, but has won just two titles, both when the tourney was a one-class tourney, the last being in 1973 and the first being in 1952, when they stopped Eveleth’s early dynasty of four-straight tournament crowns, winning in 1948, 1949, 1950 and 1951. Eveleth is now the home of the U.S. Hall of Fame.

Hibbing in 1973 were led by Joe Micheletti with seven goals and four assists in that tournament. He would later have a long NHL career with St. Louis and is now a well-known NHL TV Analyst. His teammates included George Perpich, who went on to coach the Hibbing team for almost three decades and had Frank Brimsek Jr. in net. Brimsek’s father was a star goaltender in the NHL from Eveleth, whose name is still honored with the top Minnesota goalie awarded the Frank Brimsek award.

Frank Brimsek was also involved in Eveleth’s run, as the NHL goalie, gave then Eveleth goalie Willard Ikola, a pair of goalie skates, and with these skates on, Ikola never lost an Eveleth game, winning back-to-back to back championships.

Warroad’s last state championships were in 2003 and 2005, where NHL and Olympic star T.J. Oshie led Warroad to two state championships.

The game was a rematch of the 1994 game with Warroad beating Hibbing 5-3 at the old St. Paul Civic Center. In that game, Tom Lund scored for Warroad, and his son Connor would get the Warroad Warriors on the scoreboard in the 2026 game. Hibbing/Chisholm had two family connections with Derek Gabardi being the uncle of Joe Gabardi and Eric Rewertz being the uncle of Whitaker Rewertz, who scored Hibbing/Chisholm’s first goal.

Warroad’s goalie, Patrick Kennedy, had to step up in the section tournament, where the team steamrolled it’s way into the state tournament with three lopsided wins.

He would be needed throughout the staet tournament,and in the state championship game he was peppered with 32 shots on goal in the first two periods, giving up only one to Rewertz in keeping Warroad in the game.

Isaiah Hildebrandt got Hibbing/Chisholm within one on the rebound of a scramble in front and on the 45th shot Hibbing/Chisholm tied it up on a Rewertz blast from the high slot with Kennedy screened. Less than a minute later, Hibbing/Chisholm scored to take the lead at 4-3 on a shot that rebounded off the back wall to the side of the net and Ben Galli quickly slid past Kennedy.

With 46 seconds left, Warroad tied the game upon a high tip from Gavin Andersen on a shot that was a deliberate pass from the top of the circle with the game going into overtime.

Both teams gave their all, and with the next goal being for a state championship, the players dug deep. Warroad ended the game 1 minute into overtime on a 3-on-2 rush which went from the left wing Rodrick Jackson to the high slot Andersen down low to Jackson and over to Ryan Shaugabay, with Jackson sliding the puck off the pad of the goalie onto the stick of Shaugabay, who buried his shot into the back of the net.

His fifth goal of the tourney was for the state championship, bringing tears of joy to Shaugabay and all of Warroad and would share his game-winning goal with his father, Son Shaugabay, who is an assistant coach.

Ryan Shaugabay noted, “We hadn’t won one since 2005, since T.J. Oshie, and this is a special feeling, everytime I looked up to the crowd, I started crying because this is such a special community, we live and breathe hockey, and it couldn’t have ended any better.”

Ryan had some huge footsteps to follow, as his brother Jayson won the 2023 Mr. Hockey Award and is a leading scorer in college hockey playing for the University of Minnesota Duluth. When asked if he had ever dreamt of scoring the overtime winner playing pick-up hockey, Ryan noted “so many times, when I scored the overtime winner, I slid into the corner and just started to cry, it was just an unbelievable experience.” 

Shaugabay noted that the team’s defense was the strength, giving up just four goals in the team’s last seven games entering the tournament. Kennedy played well, being called upon to be the team’s goalie after finding out late in the season Finn Hanson, the regular-season goalie, would be unavailable after getting injured late in the season. In the championship game, Warroad was outshot 47-33 with Kennedy keeping them in the game until the overtime winner.

In a game where it was sad to see one of the teams lose, Hibbing/Chisholm saw the agony of defeat, as they played hard and could have easily been the winner. They finished the season 26-3-2. The last loss being one that none of these players will forget.

With 10,518 in attendance, those in the building witnessed a game that will be talked about for years to come, with two historic programs battling to the end.

Class 2A: A classic double-overtime thriller
Minnetonka will also feel the pain. The Class 2A championship game, ending the four-day tournament, was even more painful for the Skippers. To recap, they had the game in control, up 4-1, when Moorhead put on a frantic finish, scoring three goals in the game’s last 10 minutes, with the last being with just 36 seconds left and their goalie pulled.

Minnetonka was playing in its seventh tourney, while Moorhead, the defending state Class 2A champion making its 18th appearance. Both teams were highly rated throughout the year and heading into the tournament were a toss-up for the rating and deserved to be in the title game.

The game itself started with Minnetonka taking a quick three-goal lead, as Moorhead sophomore goalie Will Arnold struggled in what seemed to be a bad case of nervousness and an unfortunate cross-checking penalty giving the Skippers the power play. They cashed in with senior center Jordan Johnson one timing a cross-ice pass from Danny Browing just 2:45 into the game.

A few minutes later, the Skippers added to the lead as right wing Ethan Sturgis carried the puck into the zone and drove toward the net and slid the puck from a very sharp angle toward the net. The puck went five-hole, between the skates of Arnold, and found the back of the net. The soft goal put Moorhead down 2-0 with 9:28 still remaining in the first period.

Arnold’s low point of the night was after giving up the third goal on another stoppable shot by
Minnetonka sophomore Cash Hardie, as he took the puck off the boards at center ice and beat Arnold with a wrist shot, with this being Hardie’s fourth goal of the tourney.

Down three goals, Moorhead would need a monumental effort, against a strong defensive team known for its defenders, and goalie Chase Jerdee with a season save percentage of .922. The Spuds have the offense to do that, and they started to mount a comeback midway through the second period as Micheal Herman found the back of the net with Tyden Bergeson’s 52nd assist of the season and 81st point, with Max Cullen adding his 34th assist of the season.

Late in the second period, Minnetonka made it 4-1 on Max Aronson’s goal. The momentum swung back to ‘Tonka, and with a comfortable three-goal cushion, time now matters as the Skippers are one period away from the crown.

Moorhead starts it way back with under 10 minutes to play with a power-play goal by Joey Cullen. The sophomore took a pass from Zac Zimmerman and snapped the shot past Jerdee to get Moorhead within two with under 10 minutes to play. Four minutes later, Zimmerman tipped a shot past Jerdee making it a one-goal game. Zimmerman was playing in the USHL for the Fargo Force to start the school year but returned to his team, to see if they could repeat.

With just 36 seconds left, Zimmerman scored to tie the game at 4, sending the arena crowd into a frenzy. The play became even more intense, with the crowd now standing for both overtimes. The teams opened up and raced up and down the rink, until Max Cullen sent in Evan Wanner who snapped a wrist shot past Jerdee to retain the Class 2A crown.

Moorhead Coach Jon Ammerman noted: “It was a tough start, no doubt about that, but just incredible character from the kids, there was never a murmur of doubt on the bench.”

Bergeson noted in the press conference that “never a doubt that we weren’t winning this game, never a doubt that we weren’t going to get back into the game, play our best hockey, and see what happens.”

Wanner noted this was a childhood dream, “A lot of kids dream about that, the title goal, OT winner, kind of unbelievable, and when it happens you don’t know what to do.”

His roommate, Drew Simonich, had the conversation the night before, at around 1:30 a.m., asking Wanner: “What would you do if you scored the overtime game winner, and I remember him saying ‘I would just throw everything into the crowd.’”

It happened just as they thought, with Wanner getting the OT game winner and equipment ending up in the crowd.

The attendance was 19,648 to go with Friday’s semifinal Class 2A session of 20,350 had a combined attendance of 40,000 for Friday and Saturday evening. Combined with Thursday’s two quarterfinal sessions, and the Class 1A total of 37,485, the tournament again exceeded more than 100,000 in attendance.

The Tourney is alive and well, but is now faced with challenges that have crept in, some within the last few years. Minnesota and its community-based model have worked well for more than 80 years, but the landscape is changing.

Several of the top players in the state are no longer choosing to stay playing for their high school teams, with the pull for the next level of junior hockey being too strong. With the advent of junior Canadian hockey now recruiting Minnesota players, offering more games and other perks, and with these players now able to play college hockey with the NCAA’s recent rule change, we need to be aware of the competition for the best of the best and what is at stake.

For now, we will relish where we are at, with two of the best hockey games in recent memory played for the 2026 State Championships. Congratulations to both Warroad and Moorhead, you worked overtime.

The post A Class Of Its Own appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

“It was depressing for a long time,” said senior Blake Biondi. “And we came together as a group this summer.”

After Wednesday’s quarterfinal game, the Hawks appeared comfortable and right back where they belong. Hermantown, this year’s 3-seed in the Class 1A tournament, beat unseeded Monticello 7-1.

Biondi, a Mr. Hockey finalist, scored a pair of goals in the first period, about three minutes into the game and with 50 seconds left in the period for a 2-0 lead, before completing

Monticello’s Alex Opatz congratulates teammate Riley Ronayne on his third period goal which spoiled Hermantown goaltender Jacob Backstrom’s shutout bid on Wednesday afternoon at Xcel Energy Center. (Photo: Tim Kolehmainen / Breakdown Sports USA)

his hat trick with 22.8 ticks remaining in the second for a 4-0 lead. His goals in the first helped give the Hawks some breathing room, said Hermantown coach Patrick Andrews.

“I think it was important to get one right away and then at the end of the first, too, to kind of get some separation going in the second,” Biondi said.

The game was a rematch of the 2017 Class 1A championship game, when Hermantown won back-to-back championships as a top seeded facing an unseeded Monticello team (then Monticello/Annandale/Maple Lake). Hermantown won all three state tournament games in overtime that year, beating the Moose 4-3 with 19.4 seconds left in the second overtime.

Monticello’s (20-8-1) goal came from junior Riley Ronayne when he sent the puck on net from center ice, and it bounced into the back of the net. “Pure luck,” Eric Nelson said.

Even with his team coming out on the losing side of Wednesday’s game, Nelson said anticipation for Friday’s semifinal between Cathedral and Hermantown – a game he said could have been a state-championship match-up – should be high.

“You’ve got two high-powered offenses,” Nelson said. “So, it should be a battle, a toe-to-toe battle. A heavyweight fight.”

Andrews said “Friday’s going to be a riot” in the semifinal against Cathedral. Biondi agreed that it’s going to be a great semifinal game, adding that they’re hungry and ready for the Crusaders.

Cathedral and Hermantown (22-3-4) will play in Friday’s first semifinal game after having skating to a 5-5 tie back on Jan. 3. Cathedral scored three goals in the third period, the last coming with 25 seconds left in regulation, to tie the game. It was a result that Zach Kilen, who scored a pair of goals Wednesday, called unfortunate from the Hawks side.

“We were up on them going into the third period,” Kilen said. “Just kind of laid back, thought we had it.

“We’re looking forward to a rematch with them.”

St. Cloud Cathedral opens title defense with dominating win over Mankato East/Loyola

Looking at the boxscore, it’s true that St. Cloud Cathedral had a blow-out victory with the 11-2 score.

A pair of 11s prepare to engage in Mankato East/Loyola’s Jake Schreiber (L) and St. Cloud Cathedral’s Ethan Cumming in the Crusaders’ 11-2 state quarterfinal win over the Cougars on Wednesday afternoon at Xcel Energy Center. (Photo: Tim Kolehmainen / Breakdown Sports USA)

But the game was actually tied 1-1 in the first period.

That lasted for a little less than five minutes though, before 2-seed Cathedral put on an offensive clinic to start the defense of its Class 1A title. The Crusaders (24-3-1) started the third period with running time and had 10 players tally goals in the first Class 1A quarterfinal game Wednesday afternoon at Xcel Energy Center.

“We have a lot of smart hockey players who can hit the open guy easily,” said Mr. Hockey finalist Blake Perbix, who had three assists and scored a power-play goal for a 6-1 lead.  

The Crusaders got a shorthanded tally 1 minute, 42 seconds into the game from senior defenseman Reid Bogenholm to get out to a quick 1-0 lead. But on the same penalty, the Cougars tied it up about a minute later with a power-play goal from junior defenseman Jake Schreiber.

Keeping the game 1-1 lasted a few minutes before the Crusaders scored a trio of even-strength goals before the end of the first period to take a 4-1 lead.

Crusaders coach Derrick Brown was happy his team stretched the lead from 2-1 to 4-1 pretty quickly in the first.

“I felt like after that we kind of put it in cruise control, and the guys did a lot of really good things,” Brown said. “We got some really good diversity. We got scoring from all four liens today. As a coach, you feel real good about that moving forward.”

Not only did the Crusaders have the scoring depth, they were able to mix up their lines and get all 20 players some ice time, including junior goaltender Ian Strong, who played the final 6:54 of the game after Grant Martin made nine saves in the game.

The Cougars got another one back late in the second period from Parker Anthony, but Cathedral scored two more times before the period was over – 40 seconds apart – to take a 9-2 lead into the second intermission on goals from Jack Smith, his second of the game and 25th of the season in only 15 games played and junior Cullen Hiltner.

In the running-time third period, sophomore Chandler Hendricks scored his first goal of the season to hit the double-digit goals mark for his team in the game.

“I just tipped it, and no one was on me,” Hendricks said. “And then I cellied.”

It was another victory for the Crusaders against the Cougars this season, with Cathedral winning 9-3 on Dec. 28 during holiday-tournament play. Fries called the Crusaders power play, which went 2-for-2, “deadly.”

“That team’s on first right now,” said Cougars coach Adam Fries. “They come at you hard. They come at you fast.”

The Cougars (14-14-1) have yet to win a state quarterfinal game in three trips. They’re 1-5 so far in state tournament play, also playing in the 2006 and 2018 tournaments. They won the 2018 consolation semifinal before losing to Thief River Falls in the consolation championship game.

“There’s never been a team in Mankato that’s brought back even a consolation championship,” Fries said. “I think that’s important for our guys. Why don’t we be the first? Let’s go out there and compete.”

The post Hawks Soar Into Semis appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

So naturally the storyline heading into the Brainerd/Little Falls Warriors and the White Bear Lake Bears quarterfinal game at the Class AA 2019 state tournament was all about goaltending. Both netminders had strong numbers and low scoring was anticipated.

Frank hadn’t allowed a goal since the regular season and had stopped all 115 shots in section play.

Meanwhile, Warriors goaltender Olivia King had a GAA of 1.66 in the regular season.

But it was Brainerd who cracked the code and ended up scoring a pair of first period goals five-minutes apart; ending Frank’s impressive shutout streak in a 4-0 win.

“One of the things we did stress was that we needed a good start,” said head coach Jim Ernster after the win. “Anytime you can start out and score first, that’s a huge advantage. Especially for us because coming down the stretch of sections we were struggling a bit to score.”

Frank admitted she got beat on the first goal by Warriors senior Cheyenne Abear, but wanted the second one back.

“For sure the second one,” said Frank, who faced 39 shots in the loss. “I ramped up my stick a bit and it’s just a fluky goal and I don’t really have those. So I should’ve had that one. They capitalized on their chances and there’s nothing much more I could do.”

Frank will continue her career at Minnesota State Mankato, where she’ll play college hockey but she was happy to lead White Bear Lake back to the tournament.

“Just getting to the tournament I think is pretty amazing. We haven’t gone since 2002 and just being here is great. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Meanwhile at the other end of the crease, King was happy to show the metro schools what northern hockey is all about.

“Here, we’re northern and people think we live in Antartica,” said King. “So it’s pretty nice to come to the cities and beat these teams and show what it’s like to play northern hockey.”

Brainerd will face Andover in the Class AA semifinal’s on Friday. Both teams made the tournament last year, but departed in the first round. Now, the two teams will be playing for the rights to go the Class AA championship.

“The experience of having been here last year helps you settle into the whole process,” said Ernster. “And also having played against them, there’s that sense of familiarity and anytime you’re familiar with an opponent, that just gives you a bit more level of comfort as well.”

The post Warriors halt Frank’s shutout streak appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Minnesota Hockey Magazine has recently partnered with Breakdown Sports to promote their 2016-17 High School Hockey Season Guide Book (9^th edition).

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Red Knights ready to ride remarkable run into postseason

The 2015-2016 regular season concluded with some entertaining games this past week.  When assessing this year what is known is that one team stood above the rest and that was the Benilde-St. Margaret’s Red Knights.  The Stillwater Ponies earned their way to the second spot in an impressive season.  There was a bit of a stumble for the Blaine Bengals who rose to the top in the end ranking third and performed as expected.  There were 392 goals scored by those three teams and they allowed just 148 against making for a productive quotient in the win column.

After the top three teams there were the clubs that had the task of beating up on each other and it took its toll in the win loss column.  The emergence of Minnetonka at the 4th slot was impressive and they delivered a balanced scoring output with terrific goaltending.  The Wayzata Trojans round out a top five and were a team of peaks and valleys with the peaks outweighing the valleys propelling them up the ladder.

The rest of the field stayed in or lurked in the top ten much of the season and were in some cases, victims of schedules and weaker conferences that may have had more Class 1A games than top ten games like some of the others on a weekly basis.  It has been said here and is appears to be true that the section playoffs will be dramatic this year and the state tournament could have some traditional names absent with fresh faces in the field this year.  That will make for an entertaining three weeks of high school hockey.

Given the State of Hockey’s overall mood right now, the notion of sectional playoffs and a fantastic state tournament is welcomed by all with open arms.

1. Benilde-St. Margret’s (24-0-1)

Last Week:  W 4-2 Wayzata, W 5-2 St. Louis Park

The Red Knights completed the season with an unbeaten record.  Their one tie to Lakeville North (4-4) was the only blemish.  The Red Knights notched 135 goals on the season which were the most in the Class 2A this year.  Senior leadership and a cohesive locker room have been key to the Red Knights’ season. They had plenty of offensive contributors as eight players notched 20 points or more this season.  Offensive leader, Cade Gleekel, went down with an injury early in the Wayzata game this past week and his return is uncertain at this point.  The Red Knights prevailed in the Wayzata game and also defeated St. Louis Park in a hard fought contest to close out the season.  Goaltender Ryan Bischel posted a 23-0-1 recored with a 2.09 goals against average and a .912 save percentage for veteran coach Ken Pauly’s team.  The Red Knights have the depth and character to overcome the Gleekel injury, yet the Mr. Hockey semifinalist will be missed in their post season run.  Overall, it was a year that not many predicted for the Red Knights. Although they were considered to be a very good hockey team, an unbeaten season was not expected.  They have exceeded all expectations at this stage of the season but perhaps their own.

2. Stillwater (23-1-1)

Last Week:  W 5-2 White Bear Lake Area, W 3-2 Holy Family Catholic

There is only one team that won more games in Class 2A hockey than the Stillwater Ponies and that was Benilde-St. Margaret’s.  While it can be debated that the Ponies schedule was not loaded with a lot of top ten teams, a total of 5 games, Stillwater, did take care of business with teams they were expected to this year.  Two players captured more than 50 points with junior Noah Cates (20g-34a-54pts) and senior Jackson Cates (20g-33a-53pts) working the impressive one-two punch.  Jackson is slated to play his college hockey for Mel Pearson and the Michigan Tech Huskies.  Wins over White Bear Lake and a tough battle with Holy Family Catholic capped off a offensively productive season for the Ponies who tallied 128 goals and allowed a Class 2A low 42 goals against.  This team was recognized as an offensively talented edition this year but the level of defensive play was what stood out even more for this offensively entertaining team.  Matt Doman’s team has already accomplished their first goal by capturing the Suburban East Conference title making it their first conference hockey title in school history.  They now have their sights set on another section championship and first-ever state title.

3. Blaine (21-4-0)

Last Week:  W 4-1 Robbinsdale Armstrong, W 5-0 Roseville Area

It was a 21-win regular season for the Bengals who are winners in their last eight games.  Blaine has two Mr. Hockey semifinalists and 78 point players in Luke Notermann (28g-50a-78pts), and Riley Tufte (47g-31a-78pts).  Tufte’s 47 goals is nothing short of impressive and he has scored a major portion of those goals while playing five-on-five.  Notermann is a gifted set-up man and the two have been difficult for other teams to contain this year.  The Bengals spread 4 losses throughout the schedule and are in position to make a second straight State Tournament appearance and 12th in school history.  The Bengals scored 129 goals this season with Notermann and Tufte accounting for 75 of them.  Goaltender Ridge Gerads took the starting goaltender reigns and posted a 15-3-0 record with a 1.94 goals against average and sterling .926 save percentage.  Coach Chris Carroll’s team has the talent with their top guns to be an issue for any team it faces this season.

4. Minnetonka (18-6-1)

Last Week:  W 6-1 Edina, W 6-1 Duluth East

The Skippers closed out the season with a 4-0-1 record and outscored their opponents 31-8 in those games.  There is no doubt the Lake Conference still is the best high school hockey conference in Minnesota.  It may not be the largest, but it certainly presents 8 games a year that are challenging.  Minnetonka captured the conference title with a 6-1-1 record which is speaks for itself.  Coach Brian Urick challenges his team with a tough non-conference schedule as well.  Minnetonka had 16 games among teams in the MNHockeyMag CrankyApe.com Top-10 this year, including high-end Class 1A Hermantown, finishing 9-6-1 in those games.  A tough Section 2AA with Eden Prairie, Holy Family, and Prior Lake stands in the way of the Skippers and the State Tournament.  They are looking to make their sixth appearance in school history and first since 2010.  This year has seen a bit of a resurgence for the Skippers and Urick has maintained his patient approach to sticking with his plan and putting players in position to succeed.  Senior Brendan Skarda (17g-19a-36pts) led the Skippers in points and more impressively has posted (6g-6a-12pts) in his last five games.  Goaltender Thomas Hanson is 15-6-1 on the season with a 2.24gaa and .919 save percentage.  He could hold the keys to the Skippers potential trip to St. Paul this year.

5. Wayzata (16-8-1)

Last Week:  L 4-2 B-SM, W 7-0 Hopkins

The Trojans finished second in the Lake Conference this season with a 6-2 record.  Wayzata posted a 7-2 record in their last nine games and those losses were to Minnetonka and B-SM, both rated ahead of them.  Coach Pat O’Leary’s team maintains their structure and is able to strike when needed.  When playing the Trojans, most teams know they have to earn their scoring chances. Their 10-7-1 record against teams that have been ranked at some point in the MNHockeyMag CrankyApe.com Top-10 this year, including Class 1A powers Hermantown and Beck, is impressive and the volume of high end games has teed up the Trojans as a legitimate state tournament contender.  They share a section with Benilde-St. Margaret’s which could set up some interesting drama and a potential date at Mariucci Arena in the section final.  The Trojans also have Edina in their section who they have turned aside three times.  Can they do the unthinkable and beat Edina four times in one year?  It is hard to imagine a team that has ever accomplished the feat of defeating Edina four times in one year, if ever.  North Dakota recruit Mark Senden (7g-26a-33pts) leads his team with Colin Schmidt (12g-12a-24pts) standing second.

6. Grand Rapids (18-6-1)

Last Week:  W 4-1 Duluth Denfeld

A late season surge by the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks propelled them to the sixth position in the final MNHockeyMag.com rankings this year.  They are 10-1 since Dec. 7 and have won five straight since losing to Wayzata by a score of 3-2 on Jan. 22.  Coach Trent Klatt’s Thunderhawks have gotten better throughout the year and finished the season with a power play that connects at a 28.6 percent clip.  The power play illustrates the high end talent this team has.  North Dakota recruit Mitchell Mattson (17a-29a-46pts), Alex Adams (16g-19a-35pts), and Jonah Bischoff (14g-18a-32pts) lead a team that has five players with 30 points or more this year and a sixth that has 29 points.  They wild card to earning their first State Tournament berth since 2007 may lie in goaltender Gable Holum (13-1-0).  It has been a successful first season for Klatt behind the bench and the drive down 169 to St. Paul is certainly a solid possibility for the Thunderhawks who have put together a terrific regular season.

7. Holy Family Catholic (19-5-0)

Last Week:  W 5-2 STMA, W 5-4 St. Cloud Cathedral, L 3-2 Stillwater

The Fire had a breakout year and their path to the upper echelon to the Class 2A was a welcome addition.  The Fire were ranked second for a few weeks with the MNHockeyMag.com and tumbled to seven after losing to Grand Rapids and Stillwater in the last seven days of the season.  The Wright County Conference games that are peppered with Class A opponents represented 11 of their 24 games against such opponents, the second most of any team in the top ten only to Bemidji’s 13 games.  The Fire posted a 9-4 record against Class 2A opponents and were 4-5 against teams that have been ranked in the MNHockeyMag top 10 at some point this season including Class A power Breck.  Head coach Noel Rahn’s team was stingy defensively allowing just 45 goals against his season which is a winning formula for playoff hockey.  Goalies Jaxson Stauber (9-1-0, 1.24gaa) and Jared Moe (10-4-0, 2.12gaa) are an impressive duo that can be relied upon.  Offensively Will Garin (24g-23a-47pts) and Matt Anderson (9g-26a-35pts) are playing like the DI recruits that they are.  With Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Prior Lake in the hunt for the Section 2AA title, the Fire have every reason to believe they could make their first trip to the State Tournament.

8. Lakeville North (19-5-1)

Last Week:  W 4-1 St. Thomas Academy, W 8-2 Eastview, W 7-6 Prior Lake

The Panthers are among the hottest teams in the Class 2A with 8 straight wins and a 14-1 mark in their last 15 games including the thrilling 3-2 win at Bayfront Park in Duluth on Hockey Day Minnesota.  Since then it was 4-1 wins over St. Thomas Academy, 8-2 over Eastview, and 7-6 over Prior Lake.  Coach Trent Eigner’s team is one win away from the 20-win club.  With 133 goals scored and just 54 goals allowed this year, the Panthers continue their formula of success which is stifling defensive zone play and creative offensive production that starts in transition.  St. Cloud State recruit Ryan Poehling (20g-34a-54pts) leads the team offensively and Bowling Green bound Max Johnson leads in goals with (27g-19a-46pts).  Buzz Eigner has notched 3 shutouts and owns a record of (13-3-1) and will be called upon in the playoffs.  With the perfect season of 2015 firmly behind them, this year’s edition has been able to forge their own identity and appear comfortable with it heading to the post season.  A Section 1AA title would mark the 3rd straight state tournament appearance and 10th overall.  They will have a tough run in their section with Farmington among other teams ready to take a run at the Panthers.

9. Bemidji (21-2-2)

Last Week:  W 4-1 Thief River Falls

Much like he team one slot ahead of them, the Bemidji Lumberjacks have put together a solid close to the season by winning 10 straight and 14 of their last 15 games.  They are known as a defensive team and are in allowing just 47 against his year.  With 119 goals for the Lumberjacks  have a knack to score and in bunches.  Coach Wade Chiodo’s team is 2-0-1 against teams that have been ranked in the top ten of the MNHockeyMag.com including a win over Class 1A big dog Hermantown.  Still, they are 12-0-1 against Class 1A teams and while the 21 wins are impressive indeed, there were not as many grinding top ten games as the teams ranked ahead of them to justify being slotted higher.  Bemidji, is the defending Class 8AA champions and a top ten team that can do some damage if they qualify for the tournament a second straight time.  Alex Pollock (15g-25a-40pts) and Brady Tatro (14g-24a-38pts) lead their team offensively and goalie Matt Fitzgerald (17-2-2, 2.05gaa) has been solid in goal for the Lumberjacks who will have a challenge waiting in the section playoffs this year.

10. Centennial (18-6-1)

Last Week:  W 7-3 Totino-Grace, W 7-2 Spring Lake Park, W 7-1 Irondale

Five wins in a row and a 12-1 record in their last 13 has been impressive for the Centennial Cougars to complete a successful regular season.  They found their goal scoring groove by beating tier last five teams by a combined 39-8.  Ritch Menne’s Cougars have tallied 114 goals this season and have allowed just 63 against.  They finished one point shy of the Northwest Suburban North Conference title behind Blaine.  The Cougars defeated Blaine and tied Elk River/Zimmerman in conference action this year while posting a 2-5-1 record against teams that were ranked in the top ten this year.  Tyler Nyman lit it up this year with (18g-30a-48pts) and Lucas McGregor (13g-21a-34pts) finished second in points and assists for the Cougars this season.  Nathan Fellows (12-5-1, 2.43gaa) took the majority of the minutes in the crease but Travis Allen (6-1-0, 2.68) was equally effective when called upon.  Centennial is in search of their 4th state tournament appearance and 3rd in 4 years out of the Section 5AA.  Some quality teams will be standing in their way yet if they continue to light the lamp, the Cougars will be in the final mix with their rival Blaine.

Others Receiving Consideration:   Prior Lake,  Edina, Eden Prairie, Hill-Murray,  Duluth East, Elk River, Farmington, Moorhead, St. Michael Albertville, Rochester John Marsall, Rogers

The post MHM Boys Class 2A Top Ten – 2/15/16 appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Hermantown leads the way into section playoffs

With a big finishing kick, seven different teams in Class 1A completed the regular season with at least 20 victories — and all are ranked in Minnesota Hockey Magazine’s final CrankyApe.com Class 1A regular season rankings of the season. The programs run across the state, from the far southwestern corner (Luverne) to the far northeast (Greenway and Hibbing/Chisholm) and almost everywhere in between. That balance of power is good for Class 1A hockey and should lead to an exciting state tournament in just over two weeks.

Three of those seven programs, however, will face off in the upcoming Section 7A playoffs, including No. 1 Hermantown, No. 5 Hibbing/Chisholm, and No. 7 Greenway. The other four 20-win programs all face tough tests in their respective sections, but are scattered equally (Breck in Section 2A, Luverne in Section 3A, St. Paul Academy in Section 4A, and St. Cloud Apollo in Section 6A).

1. Hermantown (21-2-1)

Last week: W 6-2 vs. Superior, WI (2/9), W 7-0 vs. Hibbing/Chisholm (2/11)

This week: Section 7A quarterfinals vs. TBD (2/18)

Hermantown laid claim to the top seed in the upcoming Section 7A playoffs courtesy of a resounding 7-0 victory over Hibbing/Chisholm in the regular season finale last Thursday. Hibbing came in hoping to leapfrog the Hawks for the top seed in the section. Instead, behind two goals each from Cole Koepke (31-22-53) and Peter Grytdahl (4-3-7), the Hawks rolled. As the top seed, Hermantown will face the winner of the 8/9 play-in game (International Falls and Eveleth-Gilbert) on Thursday at home. The Hawks enter the playoffs on an eight-game winning streak in which they’ve allowed no more than two goals in a game, and are a perfect 11-0-0 against Class 1A teams. As six-time Class 1A state runners-up, it looks like the state title could again go through coach Bruce Plante’s Hawks.

2. Breck (21-3-1)

Last week: T 4-4 at Mahtomedi (2/9), W 9-1 at Blake (2/13)

This week: Section 2A quarterfinals vs. TBD (2/19)

As expected, Breck picked up the top seed in the upcoming Section 2A playoffs and a quarterfinal game at Parade Friday against the winner of the 8/9 play-in game (Bloomington Kennedy or Mound-Westonka). Last Tuesday’s 4-4 tie at No. 4 Mahtomedi was Breck’s only non-victory in its past dozen games (11-0-1).  But the Mustangs rebounded to roll past rival Blake in the regular season finale, 9-1, sweeping their season series. Senior Mr. Hockey candidate Chase Ellingson (34-31-65) tallied a hat trick both games last week, while 13 different players recorded at least one point in the win over Blake. With apologies to Hermantown, Breck may be the deepest team top to bottom in all of Class 1A, which could be the difference as it makes a state tournament run.  On the season, seven different Mustangs have at least 20 points, while another five have at least 12 points.

3. St. Cloud Apollo (23-2-0)

Last week: W 5-3 at Hutchinson (2/9), W 4-1 at River Lakes (2/11)

This week: Section 6A quarterfinals vs. River Lakes (2/16)

While Section 7A may have the toughest trio of teams at the top, St. Cloud Apollo and Section 6A may be the deepest from top to bottom of any section in the state. The Eagles capped a two-loss regular season with the No. 1 seed in the section and a home quarterfinal game against No. 8 River Lakes. But it won’t be an easy path back to state, as there are landmines galore. On the strength of a 10-game stretch at midseason in which Apollo had eight shutouts, the Eagles lead the state in goals against (1.48 per game). Both of Apollo’s losses were by a single goal (2-1 at Bemidji in the season opener and 3-2 against Breck in overtime on Jan. 7). Senior Nick Althaus (23-2-0, 1.47, .930) is one of two finalists for the Frank Brimsek Award as the top senior goaltender in the state and is a two-time veteran of state tournament action.

4. Mahtomedi (16-6-3)

Last week: T 4-4 vs. Breck (2/9), W 12-5 vs. Simley (2/11), W 5-0 vs. Holy Angels (2/13)

This week: Section 4A quarterfinals vs. TBD (2/19)

As the top seed in Section 4A, Mahtomedi earned a quarterfinal match-up with the winner of the 8/9 play-in game between Simley and St. Paul Como Park Friday night at Aldrich Arena. The Zephyrs played as tough a schedule as any team in Class 1A, as 16 of their 25 regular season games were against Class 2A teams. In the nine games against Class 1A programs, Mahtomedi went 7-1-1, including last week’s 4-4 home tie with No. 2 Breck. Jake Anderson (10-13-23) scored twice, including the tying goal in the third period for Mahtomedi. Those goals brought Anderson into double-digit territory, one of six Zephyrs to do so this winter, led by Tim Kuivinen (20-9-29) and Andrew Kangas (10-33-43). Mahtomedi finished 5-0-0 against Section 4A teams, including a 3-2 victory over No. 2 seed St. Paul Academy back on Dec. 1.

5. Hibbing/Chisholm (22-3-0)

Last week: W 7-2 vs. Virginia/Mt. Iron-Buhl (2/9), L 0-7 at Hermantown (2/11)

This week: Section 7A quarterfinals vs. TBD (2/18)

Hibbing’s shot at the top seed in Section 7A went by the wayside as Hermantown waylaid the Bluejackets, 7-0, in the regular season finale last Thursday. It was the first time Hibbing’s tough defense had allowed more than three goals all season, as they are one of only three Class 1A teams to let in fewer than 1.80 goals per game (1.76). As the No. 2 seed behind Hermantown in the playoffs, Hibbing/Chisholm will face the winner of the 7/10 play-in game (Proctor and Ely) on Thursday at home. Junior defenseman Scott Perunovich (13-55-68) led the Bluejackets in scoring and is widely considered one of the most dangerous two-way defensemen in the state. But he’s certainly not a one-man team, as Hibbing has eight other players who recorded double-digit points, including leading goal-scorer Zach DeBoom (22-10-32).

6. Thief River Falls (19-6-0)

Last week: W 4-2 at East Grand Forks (2/9), L 1-4 at Bemidji (2/12)

This week: Section 8A quarterfinals vs. TBD (2/18)

With a sweep of defending Section 8A champion East Grand Forks this winter, Thief River Falls earned the top seed in the section playoffs and a Thursday night home game against the winner of the 8/9 play-in game between Lake of the Woods and Red Lake Falls. The Prowlers actually trailed 2-0 midway through the third period of last Tuesday’s 4-2 victory at East Grand Forks, but scored four goals in a span of eight minutes, six seconds to earn the victory. Actually, to be correct, senior sniper Ethan Johnson (40-17-57) scored four goals in that stretch, extending his team-leading goal total. Johnson has been a one-man wrecking crew much of the season, since opening with hat trick against Roseau in a Nov. 24 game televised on FSN. He’s been held without a goal in only four games all winter and only one game without a point.

7. Greenway (21-4-0)

Last week: W 7-2 at Northern Lakes (2/11)

This week: Section 7A quarterfinals vs. North Shore (2/18)

In what may be bulletin board material at Greenway, the Raiders were bypassed for the No. 3 seed in Section 7A by a .500 Duluth Denfeld squad. What that means is that the Raiders still get a home game Thursday against fifth-seeded North Shore, a team they beat twice, but they’ll end up having to face Hermantown in the semifinals instead of a possible championship game. Of course, one could point to the Raiders’ 4-3 overtime loss in a head-to-head meeting with Denfeld back on Dec. 1 as the reason for the slight. Since that game, the Raiders are 18-3-0, losing only to Hermantown once and Hibbing/Chisholm twice — the top two teams in Section 7A. It will be interesting to see the goaltending split in the playoffs between two of the Raiders’ LaDoux triplets: Mike LaDoux (10-3-0, 1.91, .920) and Sam LaDoux (9-1-0, 1.80, .918), both of whom have been outstanding this year.

8. St. Paul Academy (20-5-0)

Last week: W 5-2 at Blake (2/9), W 6-2 vs. Holy Angels (2/11), W 7-0 at South St. Paul (2/12), W 8-2 vs. Providence Academy (2/13)

This week: Section 4A quarterfinals vs. TBD (2/19)

A busy four-win week capped a 20-win regular season for St. Paul Academy, and earned the Spartans the No. 2 seed in the Section 4A playoffs. SPA begins its state tournament push Friday night at Aldrich Arena against the winner of the 7/10 play-in game between Henry Sibley and St. Paul Highland Park. A young SPA team seems to be coming of age in time for the playoffs, as they’ve won nine of their last 10 games, only falling in overtime to No. 2 Breck on Jan. 28. Only one of the Spartans’ top seven scorers is a senior — Justin Jallen (19-23-42) — and goaltender Andy Beran (20-5-0, 1.99, .916) is just a sophomore.

9. Delano (18-7-0)

Last week: W 12-3 vs. Waconia (2/8), L 1-2 at Orono (2/9), W 6-0 vs. Mound-Westonka (2/12)

This week: Section 2A quarterfinals vs. TBD (2/19)

Despite falling to Section 2A rival Orono last week, Delano held onto the No. 2 seed in the section tournament — Orono is No. 3 — which begins with a game Friday against the winner of the 7/10 play-in game (Minneapolis or Providence Academy) at Parade. While the loss to the Spartans didn’t affect the Tigers playoff positioning, it did knock them several spots down the top-10. Junior Ben Meyers (32-30-62) is hovering at the edge of the top-10 in both goals and points state-wide. He anchors the Tigers’ offense along with John Keranen (15-30-45), Brian Halonen (14-24-38), and Jesse Lawman (16-20-36). A possible section semifinal match-up with Orono won’t be easy as last week’s result indicated, nor a potential final against Breck, the only two teams to beat Delano in section play this year.

10. Luverne (20-5-0)

Last week: W 7-1 at Marshall (2/9), W 7-2 at LSH/St. Peter/TCU (12/12)

This week: Section 3A quarterfinals vs. TBD (2/18)

Welcome back to the top-10 rankings, Luverne. With a pair of victories to close out the regular season, the Cardinals broke the 20-win plateau and also regained the No. 10 spot in the poll that it lost in early December. Luverne also earned the No. 1 seed in the Section 3A playoffs and will host a quarterfinal game Thursday night against the winner of the 8/9 play-in game (Windom Area or Fairmont). While much of the focus of Luverne’s season has been on the scoring exploits of sophomore Jaxon Nelson (70-43-113) and senior Chaz Smedsrud (38-56-94), the Cardinals have plenty of scoring depth. Nelson leads a great sophomore class that also includes Kasyn Kruse (26-33-59), Nick Harder (22-21-43) and Declan Beers (18-24-42). A deep playoff run could net Nelson the state’s all-time single-season records for goals (currently 73 by Little Falls’ Ben Hanowski) and points (currently 135 by Hanowski).

Others receiving votes: St. Cloud Cathedral, East Grand Forks, Little Falls, Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato, Northfield, St. Paul Johnson, Sartell-St. Stephen, Duluth Denfeld, North Shore

The post MHM Boys Class 1A Top-10 – 2/15/16 appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Top half stable while teams jockey for position below as season nears close

Believe it or not, we’re entering the final week of the regular season in Minnesota high school boys’ hockey. The regular season wraps up with games across the state Saturday, and both section and possible state seeding are still up for grabs.

The top of the Minnesota Hockey Magazine’s Class 1A top-10 rankings remained stable, but there was a shake-up of the order in teams in the back half. Thief River Falls made the biggest jump into the No. 7 spot with a pair of shutouts, and the Prowlers appear primed to earn the top seed in the Section 8A playoffs should they take care of East Grand Forks a second time. Greenway lost and fell a spot to No. 8, while St. Paul Academy was out-of-sight, out-of-mind, in dropping to the No. 10 position.

1. Hermantown (19-2-1)

Last week: W 2-1 at Brainerd (2/5)

This week: vs. Superior, WI (2/9), vs. Hibbing/Chisholm (2/11)

Winter’s storms robbed Hermantown of one of its two games last week, as Tuesday’s tilt at Farmington was cancelled. But the Hawks did travel to Brainerd Friday night and escaped with a 2-1 victory. Cole Koepke (29-22-51) scored both goals, including the game-winner just 16 seconds after Brainerd tied the score early in the third period. The senior winger has been on a scoring binge of late, tallying goals in four straight games with eight total goals. Despite ranking No. 1 or No. 2 in the state poll all season long, Hermantown might find itself as the No. 2 seed in the Section 7A playoffs should it lose the regular season finale against Hibbing/Chisholm. Both teams have yet to lose in section play and could be in for a monstrous section final match-up.

2. Breck (20-3-0)

Last week: W 10-1 vs. Minnehaha Academy (2/2), W 6-0 vs. Rochester Lourdes (2/4), W 9-2 at Providence Academy (2/6)

This week: at Mahtomedi (2/9), at Blake (2/13)

The Mustangs cranked up the offense last week to extend their winning streak to 10 games. In three big victories, Breck poured in a total of 25 goals, with eight different players scoring at least five points on the week. Chase Ellingson (28-30-58) led the way with six goals and eight points, while Mitch Machlitt (25-21-46) and Austin Heidemann (12-22-34) each had four goals. That’s the type of balance that will make the Mustangs a difficult out in the playoffs. Two teams who could challenge Breck in the playoffs are on the schedule to close the regular season: traditional rival Blake in a Section 2A battle and Mahtomedi, which finished third in last year’s state tournament.

3. St. Cloud Apollo (21-2-0)

Last week: W 5-3 at Fergus Falls (2/1), W 7-3 vs. Brainerd (2/4)

This week: at Hutchinson (2/9), at River Lakes (2/11)

After a five-week stretch in which it allowed almost no goals against (just four total in 10 games, with eight shutouts), the vaunted St. Cloud Apollo defense has been dented somewhat in recent weeks — but the Eagles continue to win. Since falling to Breck on Jan. 7, the Eagles have won nine straight, but have allowed eight goals in the last three games. That number is well above their season average of 1.43 goals against, which is still the best in the state (edging Hibbing/Chisholm’s 1.48 goals against). High-scoring defenseman Tanner Breidenbach (13-27-40) scored twice in last week’s 5-3 win at Fergus Falls and Skyler Rieland (6-5-11) added two in a win against Brainerd.

4. Hibbing/Chisholm (21-2-0)

Last week: W 3-1 vs. Greenway (2/2), W 7-0 at Eveleth-Gilbert (2/6)

This week: vs. Virginia/Mt. Iron-Buhl (2/9), at Hermantown (2/11)

Speaking of Hibbing/Chisholm’s defense, the Bluejackets took care of business in a pair of Section 7A games last week, including an important 3-1 victory over surging Greenway last Tuesday. Junior defenseman Scott Perunovich (11-48-59), Jake Bestul (15-28-43), and Riley Versich (10-10-20) scored to give Hibbing a 3-0 lead midway through the second period, and the Bluejackets stymied Greenway from there. Freshman goaltender Ryan Ullan (21-2-0, 1.35, .937) continued his outstanding rookie season by stopping 34 of 35 shots in the two games. The Bluejackets could still earn the top seed in the Section 7A playoffs, as they visit No. 1 Hermantown to end the regular season on Thursday night.

5. Mahtomedi (14-6-2)

Last week: T 3-3 vs. St. Thomas Academy (2/2), W 9-5 at Totino-Grace (2/6)

This week: vs. Breck (2/9), vs. Simley (2/11), vs. Holy Angels (2/13)

Over its past six games, Mahtomedi’s record is just 2-2-2, but don’t let that fool you. The Zephyrs are in the midst of their toughest stretch of the season and have proven they can play with the top teams in both classes. The two losses came to the top team in Class 1A (Hermantown) and second-ranked in Class 2A (Stillwater) while the two ties are against perennial Class 2A powers St. Thomas Academy and Hill-Murray. Last week, Mahtomedi actually led STA 3-1 in the third period on goals from Jared Fladebo (4-5-9), Jack Heinsch (10-14-24), and Tommy Strelow (8-10-18), but couldn’t protect the lead in an eventual 3-3 tie. This Tuesday’s game against No. 2 Breck continues that “murderer’s row” of games for the Zephyrs, who also got a hat trick from Tim Kuivinen (15-9-24) and six assists from Andrew Kangas (10-27-37) in a 9-5 win at Totino-Grace last week.

6. Delano (16-6-0)

Last week: W 7-3 at New Prague (2/5)

This week: vs. Waconia (2/8), at Orono (2/9), vs. Mound-Westonka (2/12)

Delano also had a game postponed due to weather last week, which sets up three quick Wright County Conference games to close out the regular season. The Tigers figure to be favored in all three, as they’ve only lost two conference games — both to Holy Family Catholic. In last week’s 7-3 victory at New Prague, Andrew Kruse (5-18-23) and Luke Olson (8-3-11) each scored twice, as seven different players picked up at least two points. The Tigers are likely locked into the No. 2 seed in the Section 2A playoffs unless they stumble this week, as they fell 9-7 against Breck way back on Nov. 24, also their only section loss against seven victories.

7. Thief River Falls (18-5-0)

Last week: W 4-0 at Roseau (2/1), W 6-0 vs. Red Lake Falls (2/4)

This week: at East Grand Forks (2/9), at Bemidji (2/12)

The Prowlers posted back-to-back shutouts last week, as goaltender Kade Nelson (18-5-0, 2.07, .902) made 31 saves in a 4-0 win at Roseau and then combined with Chase Myhrer to stop all seven shots in a 6-0 victory over Red Lake Falls. Lucas Magnusson (18-22-40) scored two goals in each game, while Ethan Johnson (35-17-52) posted three goals and two assists and continues to lead the team in scoring. Thief River Falls controls its destiny in the Section 8A seeding, as the Prowlers have won all nine section games and have a road date with two-time defending section — and state — champion East Grand Forks Tuesday night. The Prowlers won 5-0 in the first meeting on Jan. 19, the only section loss for the Green Wave.

8. Greenway (20-4-0)

Last week: L 1-3 at Hibbing/Chisholm (2/2), W 5-2 vs. St. Paul Johnson (2/5), W 6-0 vs. River Lakes (2/6)

This week: at Northern Lakes (2/11)

It was a good week for the Class 1A top-10, as Greenway was the only one to drop a game, and it did so at No. 4 Hibbing/Chisholm last Tuesday night.  Taylor Lantz (19-31-50) scored the only goal for the Raiders, who were outshot 24-17 by the Bluejackets. The loss likely drops the Raiders into the No. 3 seed in Section 7A behind Hermantown and Hibbing, who meet to decide the top seed this week. The loss didn’t send Greenway into a funk, however, as Kole Kalisch (28-23-51) scored twice in each a 5-2 win against St. Paul Johnson and a 6-0 victory over River Lakes. Greenway closes out its regular season at Northern Lakes Thursday night.

9. St. Cloud Cathedral (17-6-0)

Last week: W 7-4 vs. Little Falls (2/1), W 4-0 at Alexandria (2/4), W 6-4 at Duluth Marshall (2/6)

This week: at Monticello (2/9), at Holy Family (2/11)

With a second victory over Little Falls last week, St. Cloud Cathedral likely wrapped up the No. 2 seed behind St. Cloud Apollo in the upcoming Section 6A playoffs. After edging the Flyers by a goal two weeks ago, the Crusaders poured in five second-period goals in a 7-4 win last Monday night. Michael Spethmann (14-10-24) scored once in each period for a hat trick and Jake VanHalbeck (20-14-34) tallied the first two goals in the second to lead Cathedral to the important win. VanHalbeck kept the momentum going with two more goals in a 4-0 shutout at Alexandria and another two in a 6-4 win at Duluth Marshall. The junior forward’s six goals in three games were as many as he had scored in the previous 12 games. Sophomore goaltender Keegan Karki (11-5-0, 2.89, .887) has now started the past four games for the Crusaders, all victories.

10. St. Paul Academy (16-5-0)

Last week: idle

This week: at Blake (2/9), vs. Holy Angels (2/11), at South St. Paul (2/12), vs. Providence Academy (2/13)

The Spartans end the regular season with a busy week, as last week’s only game was pushed into this week’s schedule due to weather postponements. By the time St. Paul Academy visits Blake on Tuesday night, it will have been almost two weeks since its last game, a 4-3 loss at Breck. The only Section 4A opponent among the final four games is South St. Paul on Friday night. It’s the only match-up of the year between the two programs and a win should give St. Paul Academy the No. 2 seed behind Mahtomedi. Junior forward Jack Johnston (23-16-39) not only leads the Spartans in scoring, he also has a team-best five game-winning goals.

Others receiving votes: Luverne, East Grand Forks, Little Falls, Northfield, Blake, St. Paul Johnson, Sartell-St. Stephen, Minneapolis

The post MHM Boys Class 1A Top-10 – 2/9/16 appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Red Knights poised to run the table, Ponies giving chase

Week 12 of the CrankyApe.com rankings represents the last week of the regular season.  We will have one more final ranking that will come out next week and then our attention will focus on the sectional and state tournament action.  The Benilde-St. Margaret’s Red Knights still have a zero in the loss column and have not moved from the top spot for weeks.  Stillwater reclaimed the second spot after Holy Family Catholic was tripped up and that opened up a slot for Blaine to move up to No. 3.

There are a number of teams that could be considered for the 8-10 slots this week with Eden Prairie being dropped like it’s hot.  There are legitimate reasons for that yet the Eagles are 0-3-1in their last four games with the 3 losses accounting for half of their season losses.  There could be a number of upsets in sectional play and a potential state tournament field that could be peppered with some variety this year which would be great for the game.

1.  Benide-St. Margaret’s (22-0-1)

Last Week:  W 5-1 Chaska, W 5-3 Eden Prairie

This Week:  at Wayzata (2/11), vs St. Louis Park (2/13)

The Red Knights defeated a motivated Eden Prairie team on the road this past week in an entertaining 5-3 game.  After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the high flying Red Knights held off the Eagles who rallied to pull within one at 4-3 in the third period.  Mr. Hockey finalist Cade Gleekel scored a pair of goals to help lead his team to the win before a packed house.  B-SM also dispatched the Chaska Hawks 5-1 to open the week and remain unbeaten.  The win over Eden Prairie improves the Red Knights record to 7-0-1 against teams that have been in the MNHockeyMag CrankyApe.com Top-10 this season.  Two big sectional games are up next with Wayzata on deck this week and natural rival St. Louis Park each standing in the Red Knight’s way with an unbeaten regular season this year.

2.  Stillwater (21-1-1)

Last Week:  W 6-1 Forest Lake, W 3-1 Woodbury

This Week:  at White Bear Lake (2/11), vs Holy Family Catholic (2/13)

It was a pair of wins in Suburban East Conference for the Ponies who defeated Forest Lake and Woodbury.  The Ponies close out the season with two more games games.  One is at White Bear Lake and and the second is at home when the Ponies host Holy Family Catholic.  The White Bear Lake game could be a preview to a sectional matchup with the season finale being a re-match with Holy Family Catholic from the St. Louis Park Holiday Classic game which resulted in a Fire win over the Ponies.  That loss represents the only loss of the season for the Ponies who have won nine straight and are 13-0-1 since losing to Holy Family Catholic.

3.  Blaine (18-4-0)

Last Week:  W 5-0 Irondale, W 7-1 Coon Rapids

This Week:  vs Champlin Park (2/8), vs Armstrong/Cooper (2/10), vs Roseville Area (2/13)

The Bengals have climbed back to the third slot this week by turning aside Irondale and Coon Rapids, a pair of teams they are expected to beat.  Featuring two Mr. Hockey finalists in Luke Notermann and Riey Tufte, the Bengals are going to be an issue for a number of teams come sectional time and perhaps beyond.  They have won five straight and are 8-3 against teams that have been ranked in the MNHockeyMag CrankyApe.com Top-10 this year and that is plenty of reason to have them in the elite of the rankings for their body of work by owning the most wins against the fewest losses of top teams this year.

4.  Holy Family Catholic (17-4-0)

Last Week:  at Hopkins (ppd), W 5-0 Duluth Marshall, L 5-3 Grand Rapids

This Week:  at St. Michael Albertville (2/9), vs St. Cloud Cathedral (2/11), at Stillwater (2/13)

A 10-game winning streak was snapped by the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks this past weekend as the Fire fell by a score of 5-3 in an outdoor game at Grussendorf Park in Grand Rapids on Hockey Day Minnesota.  The night before Holy Family Catholic stopped the Marshall School, Duluth with a 5-0 win at Amsoil Arena.  For the season, Holy Family is now 4-3 against teams ranked among the MNHockeyMag CrankyApe.com Top-10, placing them among a majority of the teams battling it out this year in the top-10 – proving there is incredible balance among a number of teams thus far.

5.  Minnetonka (16-6-1)

Last Week:  T 3-3 Eden Prairie, W 7-3 Wayzata

This Week:  at Edina (2/11), vs Duluth East (2/13)

The Skippers are 3-1-1 in their last four and 8-2-1 since Jan. 2.  Moreover, Minnetonka is 3-2-1 against top-10 teams in that span as well.  Wins over Eden Prairie, Edina, and Wayzata were impressive to go along with a tie against  Eden Prairie in their last six games. Their  losses to Wayzata and Benilde-St. Margaret’s are nothing to be ashamed of as  It has been a rough schedule in January for Minnetonka who have promoted their case as a top five team with big wins over the last five weeks.  Minnetonka is 6-5-1 against top-10 teams in the MNHockeyMag.com CrankyApe.com rankings to date.

6.  Wayzata (15-7-1)

Last Week:  W 5-1 Edina, L 7-3 Minetonka

This Week:   vs Benilde-St. Margaret’s (2/11), at Hopkins (2/13)

Which team are the Trojans is the question.  Are they the one that was a convincing 5-1 winner over Edina?  Or, are they the team that lost in convincing fashion to Minnetonka 7-3 – all in the span of one week.  They Trojans have the most losses and fewest wins among the top seven teams this week, yet are 8-5-1 in games against teams that have been in this top-10 at some point this year, tying them with Blaine and Eden Prairie for the most wins in that category.  The belief here is that Wayzata is the team that has won the eight games and they had a six-game winning streak snapped that included wins against Edina (2), Minnetonka, Grand Rapids, and Eden Prairie.  Wayzata will look to hand the B-SM Red Knights their first loss on the season this week and will close out the regular season with a Section 6AA opponent in Hopkins.

7.  Grand Rapids (17-6-1)

Last Week:  W 8-3 Hopkins, W 5-2 Holy Family Catholic

This Week:  at Duluth Denfeld (2/12)

One game is on the schedule for Grand Rapids, at Duluth Denfeld, and Trent Klatt’s edition will be preparing for the competitive Section 7AA playoffs.  If the Thunderhawks take care of business against Denfeld and win their first sectional game, this is a 20-win team and when all is said and done that will be a short list of teams this year.  Consider that the Thunderhawks are 11-2-0 since Dec. 29 when they picked up play after the Edina Holiday Classic and have a respectable 4-5-1 against  MNHockeyMag.com CrankyApe.com Top-10 teams this year, they are in the same class as a number other top-10 teams this year.  A head-to-head win by Wayzata is the difference in the Thunderhawks standing in seventh again this week.

8.  Lakeville North (16-5-1)

Last Week:  W 4-1 Lakeville South, W 3-2 Duluth East

This Week:  vs St. Thomas Academy (2/9), vs Eastview (2/11), at Prior Lake (2/13)

The Panthers are 2-3-1 against top ten teams from this year in this ranking system.  They have two additional losses to Section 1AA opponent Farmington by scores of 1-0 and 5-3.  Lakeville North handed Benilde-St. Margaret’s their only tie on the season which is a feather in their cap and are 11-1-0 since Jan. 5 while cleaning house on the South Suburban with the exception being Farmington.  A test in the St. Thomas Academy Cadets opens the weekend with two conference games featuring Eastview and Prior Lake closing out the regular season campaign for the Panthers.

9.  Bemidji (20-2-2)

Last Week:  W 6-4 Brainerd, W 11-0 Warroad, W 5-4 Sartell-St. Stephen 

This Week:  vs Thief River Falls

The Lumberjacks have won nine games in a row and are just the second 20-win team this season only to B-SM.  Bemidji has posted a 1-0-1 record among the top-10 teams which fewest such games among the top-1o.  Still, they have scored an impressive 120 goals and have allowed just 46 against this year.  Their two losses have come in overtime to Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (4-3), and Moorhead (3-2).  One final game with Thief River Falls remains for the Lumberjacks. 

10.  Eden Prairie (15-6-2)

Last Week:  T 3-3 Minnetonka, L 5-2 Benilde-St. Margaret’s

This Week:  vs Hopkins (2/11), at Edina (2/13)

The Eagles are 0-3-1 in their last four games and are clinging to the top-10 this week.  There is no question Eden Prairie is a top-five team but going 2-4-2 in their last eight games is tough to justify remaining among the top teams.  All of their losses are to top -10 teams in these rankings and they are 8-6-2  for the season against top-10 teams tying them with Blaine and Wayzata for the most wins in that category.  The Eagles are a good team and if they can re-focus their energy on the next 3-4 weeks of hockey can be considered a state title contender still this year.  We have said it before here, there is a reason for the tough patch for this team and  that is understandable.

Others Receiving Consideration:  Farmington, Elk River/Zimmerman, Edina, Duluth East, Hill-Murray, Centennial, Prior Lake, Lakeville South

The post MHM Boys Class 2A Top Ten – 2/9/16 appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Trojans on the move while Hornets, Panthers climb back in

Two weeks remain in the regular season with the majority of the teams at or near 20 of their 25 games played.  The Benilde-St. Margaret’s Red Knights had a big week topping Minnetonka in a well-played game, earning a 4-2 win, and hold onto the top spot again, something they have not relinquished since taking over in week three.

The surging team this week is the Wayzata Trojans, winners of five in a row, including four against top-10 teams, since the middle of January.  The Edina Hornets climbed back in the top-10 and last year’s defending state champion Lakeville North Panthers also settled in at No. 10.

1. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (20-0-1)

Last Week:  W 4-2 Minnetonka, W 12-0 Bloomington Kennedy, W 10-1 Chanhassen

This Week:  at Chaska (2/4), at Eden Prairie (2/6)

The Red Knights defeated the Minnetonka Skippers in a marquee match-up last week at the St. Louis Park Rec Center.  Utilizing their depth, the Red Knights are finding ways to win each night.  B-SM went on to light up two Metro West Conference opponents in wins over Bloomington Kennedy and Chanhassen by scores of 12-0 and 10-1 respectively.  The Red Knights continue Metro West play this week when they face Chaska and then it is Eden Prairie to close out the schedule for the week.  With 116 goals on the season, the Red Knights are the highest-scoring team in the Class 2A as Cade Gleekel (20g), Auggie Moore (15g), and Jacob Holmers (14g) pace the way in goal scoring.

2. Holy Family Catholic (16-3-0)

Last Week:  W 7-0 Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato, W 4-1 Delano

This Week:  at Hopkins (2/2), at Duluth Marshall (2/5), at Grand Rapids (2/6)

The Fire have won 9 straight since a Dec. 17 loss to Wayzata.  This week, they picked up wins over Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato (7-0) and Delano (4-1).  They have three Class 2A opponents this week starting with Hopkins, then they travel north this weekend for games against Duluth Marshall, and the talented Grand Rapids Thunderhawks.  All are away from the friendly confines of the Victoria Arena and will provide a solid test for the Fire who have allowed 31 goals against on the season with a pair of goaltenders sharing the duties in goal.  Jared Moe (9-2-0, 1.69, .929), and Jaxson Stauber (7-1-0, 1.30, .931) have been steady manning the pipes this year giving their team a chance every outing.

3. Stillwater (19-1-1)

Last Week:  W 4-0 Mahtomedi, W 8-1 Mounds View

This Week:  vs Forest Lake (2/4), at Woodbury (2/6)

The Ponies topped Mahtomedi, ranked No. 5 in the CrankyApe.com top-10 last week, and hammered Mounds View to put them on the cusp of a 20-win season.  They bring a high octane offensive approach to the table and are second to the Red Knights with 111 goals scored this season in Class 2A. .  Luke Manning (20g), Noah Cates (19g), and Jackson Cates (18g) lead the team in goals.  They captured their first Suburban East Conference hockey title with three conference games remaining.  Forest Lake and Woodbury represent two of those SEC games this week.

4. Blaine (16-4-0)

Last Week:  W 6-3 vs Maple Grove, W 10-1 vs Andover

This Week:  vs Robbinsdale Armstrong (2/2), vs Irondale (2/4), at Coon Rapids (2/6)

The Bengals climbed two slots from the sixth to the fourth on the strength of three straight wins.  In the process, they leap-frogged Minnetonka and Eden Prairie, each of which have won and lost some big games over the past two weeks.  Like the other top teams in our rankings, the Bengals are putting the puck in the net with 102 on the season.  Riley Tufte (33g), and Luke Notermann (21g) account for 53% of the Bengals goals.  Three games are on the schedule this week for the Bengals who will look to finish strong heading into sectional tournament in a couple of weeks.

5. Wayzata (14-6-1)

Last Week:  W 4-1 Hopkins, W 4-2 Eden Prairie

This Week:  vs Edina (2/4), vs Minnetonka (2/6)

The Wayzata Trojans could be peaking at the right time after earning five straight wins in the past two weeks.  They accomplished that after stumbling to a 1-4-1 mark from the middle of December to the middle of January.  The Trojans have gotten back to their defensive ways in allowing just six goals against over the course of their streak.  Consider that they have won four of their five games against top-ten teams in that time and are 8-5-1 against teams that have been ranked in both the Class 1A and Class 2A rankings of the CrankyApe.com rankings and they have one impressive resume.  Mark Senden leads the Trojans in points (4g-21a-25pts) and Colin Schmidt leads in goals with 10.  The Trojans have allowed just 43 goals against this year and position themselves as a legitimate threat in the Section 6AA that features both B-SM and Edina among the top teams.

6. Minnetonka (15-6-0)

Last Week:  L 4-2 B-SM, W 9-0 Hopkins

This Week:  vs Eden Prairie (2/4), at Wayzata (2/6)

The Skippers are 7-2 in their last nine games with both losses coming at the hands of teams ranked above them in B-SM and Wayzata.  Minnetonka picked up a win over an Edina team which may be turning the corner this year, and then crushed Hopkins 9-0 to close out their week.  A challenging week is on deck for Minnetonka which faces off against Eden Prairie and Wayzata.  Things won’t get any easier for the Skippers who will see Edina and Duluth East to close out the 2016 regular season.  Brendan Skarda leads a hard working group in scoring for the Skippers (12g-14a-26pts)

7. Grand Rapids (15-6-1)

Last Week:  W 5-3 Moorhead

This Week:  vs Hopkins (2/5), vs Holy Family Catholic (2/6)

The Thunderhawks have clawed their way to a respectable No. 7 position in the top-10.  They are 7-2 in their last nine games after falling to highly regarded Hermantown on Jan. 5.  Since then, the Thunderhawks’ only blemish was at the hands of Wayzata by a score of 3-2.  That was not a loss to be ashamed of as the Trojans have launched themselves to top-5 status this week with an impressive run.  Only one game was scheduled for Grand Rapids last week and that was a 5-3 win over Moorhead.  Hopkins and Holy Family Catholic are waiting in the wings for the Thunderhawks this week and Rapids will close out the regular season with one game next week against Duluth Denfeld.  Goaltender Gabe Holum has taken the bull by the horns and is now 11-1-0 on the season with his only loss coming to Wayzata.  Holum has a 1.99 GAA with three shutouts this year.  The sophomore goalie is as advertised and gives the Thunderhawks a chance to win every game he plays.

8. Edina (13-7-2)

Last Week:  W 4-3 Eden Prairie, W 5-0 Academy of Holy Angels

This Week:  at Wayzata (2/4), vs Minnetonka 2/11)

The Hornets are back and earned their way in with a big win over Eden Prairie and followed that up with a solid win over the Academy of Holy Angels.  The addition of freshman and University of Minnesota recruit Ben Brinkman to the blue line has paid dividends for the Hornets who have moved Clayton Phillips, another U of M recruit to forward.  It will be the moment of truth for the Hornets who take on Wayzata and Minnetonka, each for the third time this year, and have yet to solve either club going 0-4 in those games.  Sammy Walker (18g-16a-34pts) and Ben Copeland (14g-19a-33pts) lead the Hornet in points and goals this year.  Goalie Charlie de Grood flies under the radar for Edina and has been impressive.  The senior goalie is 12-7-2 on the season, has four shutouts, and has put together a .907 save percentage.  de Grood was the difference in the Eden Prairie game and is also a big reason why his Hornet team is welcomed back into the top ten this week.  They could fall out as fast as they returned if they stumble in their games this week.

9. Eden Prairie (15-5-1)

Last Week:  L 4-3 Edina, L 4-2 Wayzata

This Week:  at Minnetonka (2/4), vs B-SM (2/6)

The Eagles dropped both of their games last week and are 2-3-1 in their last six games.  There is a legitimate reason for the Eagles’ slide and it is understandable with some of the challenges the club is facing.  They have been in all of their games during the six-game stretch, losing in overtime to Minnetonka and to Edina 4-3 and Wayzata 4-2.  Expected wins over Bloomington Jefferson and Hopkins have been delivered to go along with a tie to St. Thomas Academy.  Casey Mittelstadt (19g-30a-49pts), Micheal Graham (13g-25a-38pts), Nolan Sulivan (16g-18a-34pts), and defenseman Nicky Leivermann (9g-21a-30pts) lead a potent offensive attack for the Eagles.

10. Lakeville North (14-5-1)

Last Week:  W 13-0 Apple Valley, W 2-1 (OT) Rosemount

This Week:  at Lakeville South (2/4), at Duluth East (2/6)

The defending state champs are back in the top-10 after some time away on the strength of a 9-1 record over their last 10 games.  The Panthers are 2-3-1 against teams that are ranked among the top-10 in the CrankyApe.com rankings this year and the volume of top-10 games among the teams placed ahead of them plays into the consideration as to why they are not any higher.  Add to that two losses to Farmington in section play and the Panthers may not even get the top seed.  Some losses that Farmington has endured keep them from the top-10 and this slot is the Panthers’ for this week.  The Panthers will take on crosstown rival Lakeville South and Duluth East at the much anticipated Hockey Day Minnesota event in Duluth.  Ryan Poehling (15g-27a-42pts), Henry Enebak (13g-25a-38pts), and Max Johnson (24g-13a-37pts) are the offensive leaders for the Panthers this year.

Others Receiving Consideration:  Duluth East, Farmington, Centennial, Hill-Murray, Bemidji, Elk River/Zimmerman, Lakeville South, St. Thomas Academy, Prior Lake

The post MHM Boys Class 2A Top-10 – 2/1/16 appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

A pair of teams swap positions in largely static rankings

With only two weeks left in the regular season, many of the teams in the Minnesota Hockey Magazine’s top-10 rankings have nearly sorted out their potential section seeding — as well as state ranking. Last week’s biggest game was a match-up between then No. 4 St. Cloud Apollo and No. 3 Hibbing/Chisholm at the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud. After Apollo edged the Bluejackets, 3-1, the two teams predictably traded places in the rankings. But that was the only shift among the top-10 teams, as stability ruled.

Keep an eye on a couple of teams outside the top-10 who could be dangerous, however.

East Grand Forks welcomed back Grant Loven after a season-long absence, and he responded with two first-period goals in a 4-2 victory over Warroad. So much for shaking off the rust.

Luverne also rolled past New Ulm for a second time this winter, seemingly taking control of the Section 3A race. Super sophomore Jaxon Nelson also hit 60 goals and 100 points on the season with two weeks to play. The University of Minnesota recruit is in range of several single-season and career state scoring records.

1. Hermantown (18-2-1)

Last week: W 4-1 at Virginia/MIB (1/26), W 4-1 vs. Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (1/28)

This week: at Farmington (2/2), at Brainerd (2/5)

The Hawks have now won 13 of their last 14 games after beating a pair of northeastern Minnesota rivals by equal 4-1 scores last week. Leading scorer Cole Koepke (27-22-49) got Hermantown off to a good start in both games, scoring twice in the first period against Virginia/MIB and once in the first against Cloquet. The Hawks’ offense appears to be in postseason form, as they ripped a combined 95 shots on goal in the two games. Wyatt Aamodt (5-22-27) added four assists and Ryan Sandelin (19-23-42) had a goal and two assists on the week. As is coach Bruce Plante’s modus operandi, the Hawks face two solid Class 2A teams this week in road trips to Farmington and Brainerd. Looming the following week is a regular-season closing game against Hibbing/Chisholm, the Hawks’ top competition in Section 7A.

2. Breck (17-3-0)

Last week: W 5-0 vs. Blake (1/26), W 4-3 vs. St. Paul Academy (1/28)

This week: vs. Minnehaha Academy (2/2), vs. Rochester Lourdes (2/4), at Providence Academy (2/6)

It wasn’t as easy the second time around, but Breck remained unbeaten in the IMAC with a 4-3 overtime thriller against St. Paul Academy last Thursday. Austin Heidemann (8-20-28) erased a one-goal third-period deficit to send the game to overtime and leading scorer Chase Ellingson (22-28-50) sent the Mustangs home happy just 1:35 into the extra session with his second goal of the game. In their first meeting back on Dec. 12, Breck shut out the Spartans, 6-0. Ellingson also scored twice in Tuesday’s shutout of Blake, as did Carter Breitenfeldt (11-13-24). As befitting the two close rivals, there were 38 minutes of penalties in the game. Look for another intense game when they meet again in the regular season finale on Feb. 13 at Blake.

3. St. Cloud Apollo (19-2-0)

Last week: W 3-2 at Little Falls (1/26), W 5-4 at St. Cloud Tech (1/28), W 3-1 vs. Hibbing/Chisholm (1/29), W 3-2 at Virginia/MIB (1/30)

This week: at Fergus Falls (2/1), vs. Brainerd (2/4)

The Eagles’ long shutout streak came to an end last week, as they allowed more goals in four games (nine) as they had in the previous 13 (eight). But Apollo cranked up its offense enough to win all four and climb a spot in the rankings, courtesy of Friday’s 3-1 defeat of Hibbing/Chisholm. After the Bluejackets took a 1-0 lead in the second period, Brandon Bissett (17-20-37) went to work with a natural hat trick, spanning 13:28 over the second and third periods. Gino Lucia (15-26-41) assisted on the first two Bissett goals to give the Eagles the victory, while Nick Althaus (19-2-0, 1.27, .938) stopped 32 of 33 shots. Bissett also scored in the third against Virginia to break a tie, as did Carter Rieland (7-8-15) against St. Cloud Tech and Noah Bissett (11-6-17) in overtime against Little Falls, as the Eagles won three one-goal games.

4. Hibbing/Chisholm (19-2-0)

Last week: W 8-3 vs. Proctor (1/26), W 7-0 vs. International Falls (1/28), L 1-3 at St. Cloud Apollo (1/29)

This week: vs. Greenway (2/2), at Eveleth-Gilbert (2/9)

In a much-anticipated head-to-head showdown at St. Cloud Apollo last Friday, the Bluejackets fell shy in a 3-1 loss, knocking them down a spot in the top-10 rankings. Hibbing/Chisholm actually outshot the Eagles, 33-28, but couldn’t solve Apollo goaltender Nick Althaus. Big power forward Zach DeBoom (18-10-28) had a big week with five goals, scoring at least once in each game to take over the team goal-scoring lead from Jarrett Lee (16-17-33) and Jake Bestul (13-26-39). The Bluejackets have a big final two weeks exclusively in Section 7A play, hosting Greenway this Tuesday night and ending the season at Hermantown on Feb. 11. Those three teams look like the favorites in the section and these head-to-head meetings should sort out the seeding process.

5. Mahtomedi (13-6-1)

Last week: W 7-4 at St. Cloud Cathedral (1/26), L 0-4 at Stillwater (1/28), T 1-1 at Hill-Murray (1/30)

This week: vs. St. Thomas Academy (2/2), at Totino-Grace (2/6)

Mahtomedi has gone just 5-4-1 in its last 10 games, yet hasn’t dropped below No. 5 in the rankings during that stretch. How is that possible? Playing in the tough Metro East with a host of Class 2A teams doesn’t hurt, nor does a difficult non-conference schedule that included Hermantown (a 6-2 loss), St. Cloud Cathedral (a 7-4 win behind a hat trick from Tommy Strelow (6-10-16)), and Stillwater (a 4-0 loss) over the past two weeks. The Zephyrs split three games last week, going 1-1-1, including a 1-1 tie at Hill-Murray last Saturday. In each game, the shot totals were fairly even. It doesn’t get much easier this week, as the Zephyrs host St. Thomas Academy Tuesday night and visit Totino-Grace on Saturday. Mahtomedi will be battle-hardened as the playoffs begin.

6. Delano (15-6-0)

Last week: W 11-1 vs. Hutchinson (1/26), L 1-4 at Holy Family Catholic (1/28)

This week: vs. Waconia (2/2), at New Prague (2/5)

Delano lost to its Wright County Conference nemesis Holy Family Catholic for the second time this winter, ending a seven-game winning streak for the Tigers. During those seven games, the Tigers poured in 47 goals (6.7 per game), but could only muster one against the Fire, a late goal by John Keranen (14-22-36) assisted from Ben Meyers (27-23-50).  Along with Brian Halonen (12-22-34) and Jesse Lawman (13-18-31), they are the four Tigers with more than 10 goals and 30 points this season. Delano closes out its regular season with four straight conference games, beginning with rematches with Waconia and New Prague this week. In their first meetings, Delano won by a combined 9-3 score.

7. Greenway (18-3-0)

Last week: idle

This week: at Hibbing/Chisholm (2/2), vs. St. Paul Johnson (2/5), vs. River Lakes (2/6)

The Raiders received a welcome break last week, as heading into Tuesday night’s huge Section 7A game at Hibbing/Chisholm, they’ve had 10 days off. Greenway hopes to reverse its earlier game against the Bluejackets, as they lost 4-2 at home. Dylan Carlson (12-16-28) and Kole Kalisch (24-21-45) each scored in that game, as the Raiders had a 2-1 lead late in the second period. A Greenway win this week could throw the seeding meeting into confusion, with Hermantown joining the two as the likely top three seeds.

8. St. Paul Academy (16-5-0)

Last week: W 11-0 at Providence Academy (1/26), L 3-4 at Breck (1/28)

This week: at South St. Paul (2/2)

A rematch with Breck may have proved to St. Paul Academy — and other observers — that it has as good a chance as any other team in the top-10 to win the state title this winter. After losing to the Mustangs 6-0 back on Dec. 12, the Spartans took Breck to the brink before losing 4-3 in overtime last Thursday. Evan Dahlseide (5-14-19) and Matt Dahlseide (20-18-38) gave SPA a 2-0 lead just 40 seconds into the second period, but the Mustangs struck back to tie it. Justin Jallen (15-16-31) tallied early in the third to regain the lead, but the Spartans couldn’t hold it. Jallen and Jack Johnston (23-16-39) also recorded hat tricks as the Spartans shut out Providence Academy last week. SPA hasn’t scored fewer than three goals since the turn of the year, so its offense is peaking at the right time.

9. Thief River Falls (16-5-0)

Last week: W 7-2 vs. Lake of the Woods (1/26), W 8-4 vs. Crookston (1/28)

This week: at Roseau (2/1), vs. Red Lake Falls (2/4)

The Prowlers rebounded from a loss at Hibbing/Chisholm to roll past a pair of northwestern Minnesota teams last week, beating Lake of the Woods and Crookston by a combined 15-6 score. Leading scorer Ethan Johnson (32-15-47) racked up five goals and three assists combined and is now tied for sixth in the state in goal-scoring, while Michael Johnson (13-28-41) had a goal and five assists. With earlier victories over Warroad and East Grand Forks, the Prowlers are in control of the top seed in Section 8A. There is a rematch with East Grand Forks on the near horizon. The Green Wave are surging after getting Grant Loven back in the lineup for the first time all year.

10. St. Cloud Cathedral (14-6-0)

Last week: L 4-7 vs. Mahtomedi (1/26), W 5-0 at Virginia/MIB (1/29)

This week: vs. Little Falls (2/1), at Alexandria (2/4), at Duluth Marshall (2/6)

Cathedral’s hold on the final spot in the top-10 rankings is tenuous at best, after the Crusaders split two games last week. That said, Cathedral’s six losses are all to Class 1A teams ranked above it, including last week’s 7-4 home loss to Mahtomedi. Trevor Cornelius (6-9-15) tried to keep pace with the Zephyrs, scoring a hat trick, while Jeron Hirschfeld (1-13-14) had two assists. Still looking for a true “signature win,” the Crusaders have five games in the final two weeks of the regular season, including a home game against Little Falls and road tilts at Duluth Marshall and Holy Family Catholic, both Class 2A teams.

Others receiving votes: East Grand Forks, Luverne, Little Falls, Northfield, Sartell-St. Stephen, St. Paul Johnson, Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato, Blake

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