Maroon 1, Major Division 3-on-3 champions.
Parents scattered throughout 3M Arena at Mariucci were treated to a pair of close games on Thursday, as the Minor Division closed out its preliminary rounds.
First, Minor Gold edged Minor White 6-5 in a shootout, notching its third win of the Combine. Both Sam Laurila and Taven James recorded three points in the win for Minor Gold, each scoring a goal and dishing out two assists. Wyatt Ehrhardt, Henri Ament, and Christian Garrity each scored once in the win, with Coen Schmeichel handing out a pair of helpers. Tyler Hess scored two goals and assisted on another in the loss for Minor White, which also had goals from Ryan McPartland, Caden Schlattman, and Henry Schultz.
The second Minor Division game of the day featured Minor Grey topping Minor Maroon 6-5 thanks to the late heroics of Ryder McDonald, who scored the game-winning goal with just 1:22 to play in regulation. Max Rider scored two goals and added an assist for a game-high three points, with Garrett Lindberg, Trey Fredenburg, (the aforementioned) Ryder McDonald, and Ryder Betzold all chipping in single goals. Brandon Mickelson, Cade Sherman, Ray Walen, Jacob Faith, and Gavin Kor each scored once in the loss for Minor Maroon.
While the Minor Division had Mariucci all to themselves, the Major Division headed east to the LumberYard for a full day of three-on-three action. High drama found its way into the competition all the way to the final contest, as Maroon 1 took the weight of the entire team onto its shoulders. Facing a win-or-play-for-third scenario, Maroon 1 thumped Gold 2 10-2 in the championship game, sending the team into the finals at Mariucci Arena thanks to the tiebreaker of fewest goals allowed at Mariucci. Before the three-on-three championship, Maroon 1 scored a 7-2 win over White 1 and a 4-0 win over Grey 1.
Henri Ament's lone goal was the difference in the shootout win for Gold
This coach was elated with the Gold victory
Grey celebrates their last minute goal to clinch a spot in the championship Friday
Jacob Faith exploded for two goals and an assist Thursday
Lucas Busch scores in 3-on-3 play on Thursday.
Player | Team | Goals |
---|---|---|
Will Zellers | Gold 2 | 11 |
Gavin Jensen | Maroon 2 | 7 |
Jordan Geike | Maroon 2 | 7 |
Javon Moore | Grey 2 | 6 |
Parker Gast | Maroon 1 | 6 |
Grant Haug | White 1 | 5 |
Tommy Moen | Gold 1 | 4 |
John Halverson | Maroon 1 | 4 |
Marcus Fechko | Maroon 2 | 4 |
David Kukkonen | White 2 | 4 |
David Kukkonen finished the 3-on-3 portion of the Major Combine with five goals in three games.