The Big Pumpkin kicked off Friday in Moorhead with several of the top PeeWee AA and A teams in the state and surrounding area battling for the coveted pumpkin trophy handed out Sunday afternoon. Sixteen teams went to battle for a shot at round two on Friday night for a shot at the final eight Saturday.
The best game of the morning round was between Jefferson and Brainerd in a back and forth game that eventually ended with the Warriors winning on the fifth shooter in a sudden death shootout at the Moorhead Sports Center. Lakeville had a good morning, both teams won convincingly by a combined 19-2 with wins over Sioux Falls (LVS, 10-1) and White Bear (LVN, 9-1).
Two very young and impressive teams - Elk River and MPLS clashed at the Youth Rink, the Elks prevailed 3-2. Jackson Skyberg lead the Elks with two goals.
Mitchell Bernier with a snipe for LVN
Brainerd wins in Shootout!
Nate Furuseth scores for Rosemount Friday
Hogan Ordal was a hero for LVS Friday
We saw a nice collection of Sweet 16 games Friday night. All of the top seeds marched on except Eden Prairie, they fell prey to Tony Scott dark horse Lakeville South 4-3 Friday night at the Moorhead Youth Rink.
Moorhead and Rosemount battled for three periods - Caleb Alderson punched up the game winner for the Spuds. A few top seeds barley got the car out of the parking lot before their games were out of reach (OMG > Brainerd, CC > Elk River and Edina > Wayzata), all winning by large running-time margins.
Drew Fisher scores on a penalty shot Friday for the Preds
Jimmy Clark nets one of his two goals for Edina Friday
Kyle Law scores for Andover Friday
Carson Triggs with a pretty goal for the Spuds Friday
Jack Ohlund went top shelf Friday for the Cougars
Ethan Dahlmeir doing it all Friday for the Cougars
Mitchell Bernier, Lakeville North - he has terrific hands and a great shot - was very explosive all day for the Panthers.
Ethan Dahlmeir, Lakeville South - had two big wins Friday including a win over highly touted EP. Dahlmeir might be the best goalie in the Pumpkin. They face OMG Saturday.
Girl Power - there were three girls that made their mark Friday - Uma Corniea from Edina (Goalie), Sloan Matthews from Wayzata (Defense) and Maddie Christian from Elk River (Forward). Always fun to see the future of girls hockey take stage at the top level of PeeWees.
Jackson Skyberg, Elk River - fun player to watch, Skyberg is very sturdy on the puck and has a great second gear. Was a threat for the Elks to score in both games Friday.
Lakeville North's Mitchell Bernier