Game Three: St. Thomas Academy (18-8-2) vs. Andover (24-3-1)

After a mild stumble to the start of the season, St. Thomas Academy polished off the 2019-2020 campaign with nine consecutive wins, sweeping through the Section 3AA playoffs with upset-wins over No. 1 seed Rosemount 3-1 and second-seeded Burnsville 2-0.

Senior goaltender Tommy Aitken has posted a goals-against-average of 1.84, and a .936 save percentage, stabilizing the group under new Head Coach Trent Eigner. Junior forward Jackson Hallum has game-breaking potential for the Cadets, with additional scoring options in Jarod Wright (7-19-26), Andrew Boemer (7-14-21), and Riley O’Brien (12-11-23).

Top-seeded Andover hasn’t lost since Jan. 7, posting a record of 15-0-1 record in that span. All three of the Huskies’ losses have been a single goal, largely a product of having one of the state’s best defensive units. Mr. Hockey finalist Wyatt Kaiser (10-29-3) pairs with fellow senior Mitchell Wolfe (11-27-38) make up the top two in a group that helped allow just 29 shots on goal during section play.

Senior forward Hunter Jones (11-38-49) leads the team in total scoring, while Garrett Schifsky leads the team in goals with 22. Junior goaltender Will Larson played all three section games, and has a GAA of 1.02, save percentage of .930, and seven shutouts.