The MNHockeyMag breaks down the Class A Hockey tournament.
New Prague Trojans (21-4-3, 11-1-2)
Head Coach: Chris Lonke (6th season, 99-54-11)
Section: 1A
Conference: Missota Conference, 2nd place
State Tournament appearances: (1) 2014
State Titles: None
Road to State:
Red Wing 2-0
Northfield 3-0
Mankato West 3-2
Top 5 Scoring Leaders:
Player GP G A Pts
Augie Isaacson 28 23 29 52
Seth Kriha 28 11 35 46
Alex Gregor 28 19 22 41
Austin Kilian 28 21 13 33
Casey Busch 28 11 16 27
Goaltending Leaders:
Player W L T GAA Sv% Sho
Conner Wagner 18 4 3 2.47 .895 3
What to expect:
The Trojans make their state tournament debut this year and are the first team other than Rochester Lourdes to represent Section 1A in five seasons. But it wasn’t easy, as they had to earn their berth by topping a solid Mankato West team in the section final, 3-2. A three-pronged offensive attack in Augie Isaacson, Seth Kriha, and Alex Gregor leads the way for New Prague. The Trojans enter the tournament on an eight-game winning streak and have outscored their opponents 38-13 in those games. As the No. 3 seed, the Trojans have a tough first round opponent in Chisago Lakes.
Orono Spartans (19-8-1, 8-4-0)
Head Coach: Kasey Yoder (1st season, 19-8-1)
Section: 2A
Conference: Wright County Conference, 2nd place
State Tournament appearances: (7) 1992, 93, 2002, 03, 04, 06, 07
State Titles: None
Road to State:
Chaska 6-2
Bloomington Kennedy 2-1 (ot)
Breck 2-1
Top 5 Scoring Leaders:
Player GP G A Pts
Joey Luedtke 28 12 22 34
Jake Flemmer 28 14 17 31
Sam Challgren 28 6 18 24
David McCuskey 28 11 9 20
Tripp Renard 28 9 10 19
Goaltending Leaders:
Player W L T GAA Sv% Sho
Jonathon Flakne 15 7 1 2.03 .911 6
Grant Mathiason 1 1 0 2.50 .898 0
What to expect:
The Orono Spartans snapped Breck’s stronghold of five straight seasons as Section 2A champions by knocking the Mustangs out in the final game — much to the delight of a rabid student section. This is the Spartans’ first trip back to the state tournament since 2009, and in Kasey Yoder’s first year as coach, they are playing the necessary game to succeed in the post season by winning a pair of 2-1 tight checking games for the section title. The Spartans are 3-4-0 against Class AA teams and have a schedule that benefits them for the stretch run. Their first round opponent could challenge for the Class AA title in East Grand Forks, who is tough to score on. The Spartans will have to be in full shutdown mode to advance.
Luverne Cardinals (27-0-1, 10-0-0)
Head Coach: Derrick Brown (5th season, 98-29-5)
Section: 3A
Conference: Southwest Conference, 1st place
State Tournament appearances: (1) 2014
State Titles: None
Road to State:
Morris Benson 13-2
Hutchinson 4-0
New Ulm 6-1
Top 5 Scoring Leaders:
Player GP G A Pts
Chaz Smedsrud 28 38 49 87
Logan Norman 28 22 48 70
Jaxon Nelson 28 30 40 70
Gunnar Olson 26 38 28 66
Toby Sengvongxay 28 20 32 50
Goaltending Leaders:
Player W L T GAA Sv% Sho
Kendall Meyer 18 0 1 1.16 .949 6
Connor Crabtree 6 0 0 1.26 .896 2
What to expect:
The Cardinals are the only unbeaten team in high school hockey. Naysayers suggest that the Cardinals’ schedule is not tough enough. Those that look closer will first note that this team is 49-4-2 over the last two seasons — beating the teams they are “supposed to” beat. This year, they won the Schwan Cup Open division and are 4-0-1 against teams from the Metro area. They outscored their opponents 206-32 on the season and as evidenced, weren’t squeaking by the competition. Their offensive balance includes senior players such as Gunnar Olson and Logan Norman all the way to eighth-grade sensation Jaxon Nelson. Coach Derrick Brown has depth to rely on yet their biggest challenge and toughest opponent of the season is on deck with the Hermantown Hawks who are state tournament tested.
Totino-Grace Eagles (17-10-1, 8-0-0)
Head Coach: Mark Loahr (33rd season, 508-286-26)
Section: 4A
Conference: North Suburban Conference, 1st place
State Tournament appearances: (5) 1993, 95, 2002, 05, 14
State Titles: (1) 2002
Road to State:
St. Paul Como Park 7-1
South St. Paul 1-0
Mahtomedi 5-4 (ot)
Top 5 Scoring Leaders:
Player GP G A Pts
Kai Barber 28 19 12 31
Nick Tandeski 28 15 14 29
Ben Henderson 28 10 13 23
Bandon Hilliard 28 7 15 22
Blake Vagle 28 5 16 21
Goaltending Leaders:
Player W L T GAA Sv% Sho
Dominic Wippler 12 8 1 2.70 .903 2
Jack Lux 2 2 0 3.38 .862 0
What to expect:
The Eagles return to the state tournament after a nine-year absence by squeaking out a pair of one-goal sectional games, including a classic 5-4 overtime win against Mahtomedi. Coach Mark Loahr won his 500th game earlier this year and recently won the Bruce Johnson award for outstanding contributions in promoting the Minnesota Coaches Association and the sport of hockey. He knows his way around state tournament hockey and the Eagles will be prepared. After starting the season 4-6-1, the Eagles finished the season 13-4-0. Totino-Grace challenges itself with a difficult schedule and was 3-4-1 in seven games against Class AA teams. As the No. 5 seed, the Eagles will have a rematch with St. Cloud Cathedral. Back on Jan. 25, Cathedral won 5-4. Another close game can be expected by these two teams when they open the tournament on Wednesday.
Chisago Lakes Area Wildcats (20-8-0)
Head Coach: Paul Gibson (2nd season, 38-17-1)
Section: 5A
Conference: Mississippi 8 Conference, 3rd place
State Tournament appearances: (2) 1995, 2014
State Titles: None
Road to State:
North Branch 13-0
Proctor 5-2
Princeton 5-4
Top 5 Scoring Leaders:
Player GP G A Pts
Brandon Gillespie 28 25 26 51
Blake Lizotte 28 14 34 48
Trevor Lushanko 28 23 24 47
Ryan Chambers 28 13 15 28
Landon Lushanko 28 10 18 28
Goaltending Leaders:
Player W L T GAA Sv% Sho
Jake Dubose 10 6 0 1.94 .920 5
Bryce Thompson 6 2 0 2.34 .906 2
What to expect:
With the four-time defending section champions from Hermantown moved to Section 7A this winter, the Wildcats seized the opportunity and captured their first section title since 1995. They put together an impressive 20-win season and accomplished that in the Mississippi 8 Conference where a number of Class AA teams reside. Since the Stadstad Tournament over the holiday season, the Wildcats went on a 12-3-0 run including seven wins in their last eight games. A one-two punch of Brandon Gillespie and Blake Lizotte will be formidable in the Class A tournament. The Wildcats open with New Prague in the quarterfinals.
St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders (20-7-1, 3-0-0)
Head Coach: Eric Johnson (10th season, 185-61-9)
Section: 6A
Conference: Granite Ridge Conference, 1st place
State Tournament appearances: (6) 1993, 94, 2004, 08, 09, 14
State Titles: None
Road to State:
Little Falls 8-1
Sartell-St. Stephen 3-1
Alexandria 2-1
Top 5 Scoring Leaders:
Player GP G A Pts
Will Hammer 28 24 27 51
Matt Fritz 28 15 24 39
Dan Bailey 28 7 31 38
Logan Neu 27 18 16 34
Trevor Cornelius 28 7 9 16
Goaltending Leaders:
Player W L T GAA Sv% Sho
Zach Fritz 16 7 1 2.32 .911 2
Camren Dehler 1 0 0 0.71 .957 1
What to expect:
The St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders are back in the state tournament for the first time since 2009. Formerly in Section 5AA, they are now in with the other St. Cloud area schools and proved to be the bet of the lot this winter. The Crusaders lost a few top level players early and are relying on several underclassmen to get the job done along with Will Hammer, who is now the all time leading scorer in team history. The Crusaders open the tournament with a mirror image in themselves in the Totino-Grace Eagles which could prove to be the most entertaining first round match-up in the quarterfinals.
Hermantown Hawks (22-4-2, 5-0-2)
Head Coach: Bruce Plante (25th season, 462-190-20 )
Section: 7A
Conference: Lake Superior Conference, 1st place
State Tournament appearances: (11) 1994, 98, 99, 2001, 06, 07, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
State Titles: (1) 2007
Road to State:
International Falls 9-0
Duluth Denfeld 6-1
Marshall School, Duluth 6-2
Top 5 Scoring Leaders:
Player GP G A Pts
Ryan Kero 28 21 27 48
Nate Pionk 28 20 28 48
Scott Wasbotten 28 21 21 42
Kori Ochs 26 15 16 31
Cole Koepke 28 17 13 30
Goaltending Leaders:
Player W L T GAA Sv% Sho
Adam Smith 10 3 0 2.66 .895 0
Jace Thomas 9 1 1 1.67 .923 3
What to expect:
A regular state tournament participant, the Hawks have been to the big dance five straight years. They advanced to the finals each of the last four years only to lose the championship game each time. This year may be different for the Hawks as they have championship credentials. However, a deep field presents itself this year and could present a tough run for the Hawks. Ryan Kero and Nate Pionk were regular contributors from last year’s team and understand the tournament and its environment. Coach Bruce Plante has two high level goaltenders to turn to in Adam Smith and Jace Thomas.
East Grand Forks Green Wave (25-2-1, 8-0-1)
Head Coach: Tyler Palmiscno (5th season, 77-47-6)
Section: 8A
Conference: Mariucci Conference, 1st place
State Tournament appearances: (9) 1971, 80, 82, 98, 99, 2001, 13, 14
State Titles: None
Road to State:
Lake of the Woods 10-0
Detroit Lakes 8-1
Warroad 3-2 (ot)
Top 5 Scoring Leaders:
Player GP G A Pts
Dixon Bowen 18 17 20 37
Reed Corbid 28 14 21 35
Grant Loven 28 14 21 35
Tanner Tweten 28 15 13 28
Brandon Loven 28 14 11 25
Goaltending Leaders:
Player W L T GAA Sv% Sho
Josh Weber 18 1 1 1.22 .922 4
Garrett Lieberg 5 1 0 1.00 .898 3
What to expect:
Dixon Bowen blew up for 10 points in three playoff games (4g-6a-10p) and took over the team lead in points — despite appearing in only 18 games this year. But it’s on defense where East Grand Forks is a championship contender. The Green Wave are a defensive juggernaut and play the game in all three zones as well as any team in high school hockey. They only allow 1.20 goals against per game. They have a power play over 24 percent and a penalty kill that registers over 90 percent efficiency. Goals against and special teams equal success and the Green Wave could experience plenty of it this state tournament.
Pete Waggoner has covered hockey since 1989 and his work includes play-by-play and studio hosting. Currently, he hosts This Week in High School Sport on 1500 ESPN and hosts the Overtime Hockey Podcast at 1500espn.com that posts every Monday. His past work has appeared on Sports Radio 105 The Ticket, KFAN Radio, MyFoxHockey.com, Fox Sports North Prep Zone, MNHockeyCenter, and Prep45.com.Prior to that, Waggoner developed MyFoxHockey.com along with Fox9 Twin Cities and was one of the original architects of the MNHockeyhub.com from concept to delivery.
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