December 19
St. Cloud Cathedral at Cloquet/Esko/Carlton - 7:00 PM
The Crusaders travel to the 218 to take on the Lumberjacks at Cloquet Area Recreation Center in an intriguing battle of Top 10 Class A teams.
St. Cloud Cathedral is coming off a 6-1 loss to Rock Ridge. The Crusaders' attack is led by the senior duo of John Hirschfeld (Vermont commit, 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points) and Joey Gillespie (5-4-9), as well as Jaeger Wood (2-8-10), who give the Crusaders one of the most explosive trios in Class A. Junior Caden Johnson (4-1-5) and Bo Schmidt (2-4-6) have provided secondary scoring for the Crusaders.
The power play has been a source of confidence for St. Cloud Cathedral as they have been finding the back of the net at a 35.6% rate.
Junior Griffin Sturm (4-6-10) anchors St. Cloud Cathedral's defense. Seniors Noelan Beste (1-2-3), Connor Stockman (0-1-1), and Ian Bacik (0-1-1), along with junior Carter Bakeberg, round out an experienced Crusaders' defense corps.
Junior Keaton LeGrande (.862 save percentage) has started in most of the games this season for the Crusaders, but they have given fellow junior Blake Kayser (.793 save percentage) an opportunity as well.
Cloquet/Esko/Carlton is coming off a 4-0 victory over Blaine. The Lumberjacks are led at forward by seniors Bobby Thornton (4-8-12), Grady Knutson (8-6-14), and Nikolas Gentilini (7-6-13) as well as juniors Conor Sullivan (3-5-8) and Lucas Gentilini (2-1-3) give Cloquet/Esko/Carlton reliable firepower each night. Freshman Jordan Sewell (2-3-5) has had a strong start this season.
The Lumberjacks power play is dangerous, converting on 34.6% of its opportunities.
On defense, seniors Karson Young (3-10-13), Gavin Gibson (0-1-1), and Hudson Snesrud (1-6-7), junior Cole Painovich (1-2-3) and freshman Brahm Snesrud (0-5-5) are a capable group that moves the puck well and plays responsibly in their own end.
At goaltender, Cloquet/Esko/Carlton junior Jacob Iallanardo (1.09 goals against average) has emerged as the Lumberjacks' go-to option, and senior Jamis Halverson (.877 save percentage) has contributed as well.
Jaeger Wood, St. Cloud Cathedral
December 19
Hill-Murray at Wayzata - 7:00 PM
This is an intriguing matchup of Class AA powerhouses as the Pioneers make their way to the Plymouth Ice Center to take on the Trojans.
Hill-Murray is feeling confident after a 7-1 rout of Tartan. The Pioneers are led up front by seniors Boden Sampair (Holy Cross commit, 9-8-17) and Jackson Reeves (2-2-4), junior Chaz Lentz (5-9-14), sophomores Riley Zupfer (2-10-12) and Carsen Zasada (3-3-6) give Hill-Murray solid scoring depth.
Opposing teams would be wise to stay out of the penalty box against Hill-Murray as the Pioneers are lighting the lamp on the man advantage at a 37.5% rate.
On defense, seniors Graham Greeder (Minnesota State commit, 3-8-11), Landon Cottingham (Alaska-Fairbanks commit, 3-4-7) and John Kelly (0-3-3), juniors Casper Lang (1-6-7) and Tommy Miller (2-3-5), sophomore Carson Scott (1-5-6) all bring a mix of size, skill and strong two-way play to the Pioneers' blueline.
At goaltender, the Pioneers have rotated between junior Grayson Hanggi (1.67 goals against average) and senior Jackson Johnson (.947 save percentage) this season.
Wayzata is coming off a 5-3 win over Andover. At forward, Wayzata is led by seniors Max Luedtke (6-1-7), Nolan O'Connell (2-4-6), and Colin Bierman (2-3-5) along with junior Eli Molde (4-8-12) embrace a scoring-by-committee approach. Junior Tommy Colmenaro (2-5-7) has had an impressive start to the season. Sophomore Kruz Sauer (2-2-4) has been playing more confidently each game.
On defense, seniors Finn De St. Hubert (Yale commit, 1-8-9), Carson Clark (1-2-3), Ben Nuenfeldt (1-3-4), and George Ericson (2-6-8) as well as junior Jake Nawrocki (0-3-3) will be leaned upon to keep games low-scoring.
At goaltender, the Trojans have rotated between junior Ryan Pellinger (.914 save percentage) and senior Sammy Swan (.905 save percentage) this season.
Graham Greeder, Hill-Murray
December 20
Hermantown at Rosemount - 7:00 PM
The Hawks board the coach bus and travel to Rosemount Ice Arena to take on the Irish in an interesting Class A versus Class AA showdown.
Hermantown is coming off a 3-0 victory over Maple Grove. The Hawks are led up front by seniors River Freeman (7-2-9) and Charlie Marchand (1-3-4), as well as juniors Ford Skytta (3-4-7) and Bodie Madill (1-4-5), along with sophomore Beau Christy (1-3-4) carry most of the scoring for Hermantown.
The Hawks' power play is heating up, finding the back on 35% of its opportunities.
On defense, seniors Henry Peterson (St. Thomas commit, 2-6-8) and Cam Lukovsky (1-0-1) juniors Jack Slattengen (2-0-2) and Cayden Manion (1-1-2), along with sophomores Gabe Swenson (1-5-6) and Ethan Aysta (0-2-2) round out Hermantown's blueline.
Junior Bryce Francisco (.947 save percentage) is starting to find his groove this season at goaltender.
Rosemount is coming off a 5-2 victory over Delano. The Irish forwards are led by senior Christian Garrity (10-8-18), Quinton VeDepo (3-7-10) and Benny Rutzick (4-6-10), juniors Cade Sherman (6-12-18) and Gavin McNeil (6-10-16) give Rosemount solid scoring depth.
The Irish power play is heating up, finding the back of the net at a 30.3% rate.
On defense, seniors Josh Toll (St. Thomas commit, 6-6-12), Josh Ganser (0-1-1), and Cristian Nichols (2-7-9), as well as junior Graham Clafton (2-9-11) and sophomore Mason Henderson (1-1-2) are a mobile and offensively active blueline.
Junior Sam Clements (2.00 goals against average) has made every start for the Irish this season at goaltender.
River Freeman, Hermantown
December 21
Shakopee at Minnetonka - 2:00 PM
The Sabers travel up I-494 to battle the Skippers at Pagel Activity Center in Minnetonka. Shakopee's Cooper Simpson was recently interviewed as part of YHH's Rink of Fire podcast.
Shakopee is coming off a 5-1 victory over Lakeville South. The Sabers are led up front by seniors Cooper Simpson (North Dakota commit,11-6-17) and Peyton Chase (4-6-10), juniors Cooper Siegert (10-8-18), Nate Pederson (4-10-14), Daylin Cline (2-10-12), Carson Steinhoff (2-7-9) and Tristin Wassengeso (4-9-13) give Shakopee the kind of scoring depth that is tough to match lines against.
On defense, senior Will Youngberg (1-0-1), juniors Jack Kultgen (1-4-5) and Jaxon Johnson (0-1-1) along with sophomores Landon Huh (1-5-6) and Carter Wagner (0-4-4) keep it simple and focus on preventing goals than trying to be on the attack.
At goaltender, the Sabers have split starts between juniors Owen Lunneborg (1.51 goals against average) and Niklas Huson (2.65 goals against average) this season.
Minnetonka is coming off an 11-1 rout of Chaska. The Skippers are led up front by seniors Cullen Murray (2-6-8) and Emerson LaRoche (4-3-7), juniors Jordan Johnson (3-6-9), Caden Lindsay (3-4-7) and Ethan Sturgis (5-3-8) as well as sophomore Liam Schultz (1-6-7) are expected to carry Minnetonka offensively but scoring has been a challenge this season.
On defense, seniors Tyson Mahady (2-5-7) and Devin Berg (3-2-5), along with juniors Danny Browning (3-2-5) and Cameron Merrick (0-2-2) as well as sophomore Gavin Karl (1-3-4) are still trying to establish chemistry and trust on Minnetonka's back end.
At goaltender, senior Ben Ferguson (2.22 goals against average) has emerged as the Skippers' workhorse in the crease. At the same time, junior Chase Jerdee (.826 save percentage) backs him up.
Cooper Siegert, Shakopee
December 21
St. Thomas Academy at Cretin-Derham Hall - 7:00 PM
A classic private school rivalry as the Cadets travel to Aldrich Arena to battle the Raiders in their only scheduled game between each other this season. The teams split their two-game series last year so who will earn bragging rights this time around?
YHH's Rink of Fire podcast recently interviewed St. Thomas Academy Head Coach Mark Strobel.
St. Thomas Academy is coming off a 10-5 victory over Chanhassen. At forward, the Cadets are led by seniors Michael Mikan (7-14-21), Will Dosan (8-5-13), Nico Russ (8-3-11), and Jackson Rudh (12-10-22) provide leadership, scoring, skill, and grit. Juniors Cole Braunshausen (6-7-13) and Luca Pedri (3-5-8) bring speed and secondary scoring to the Cadets' attack.
St. Thomas Academy's power play is rolling, scoring at a 40% rate.
On defense, seniors Patrick Cronin (2-7-9), James Richardson (2-2-4), and Tommy Kertz (0-5-5), as well as junior Cody Kronberg (2-3-5), are poised and stout in their zone.
At goaltender, senior Cody Niesen (2.04 goals against average) has shouldered most of the goaltending duties this season for the Cadets.
Cretin-Derham Hall is coming off a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Holy Angels. The Raiders' attack is led by seniors Max Bennett (7-1-8) and Veszi Lippai (1-3-4), juniors Nate Chorlton (Colorado College commit, 5-4-9), Max Anderson (Miami-Ohio commit, 4-2-6) and Maverick Timmons (0-4-4) set the pace offensively for Cretin-Derham Hall. Freshman Jonny Bloedow (3-4-7) is showing promise.
On defense, 6'5" senior Jimmy Dodig (Merrimack commit, 1-5-6), juniors Phoenix Cahill (Colorado College commit), Charlie Engstrom (1-3-4), and Cam Autrey (2-1-3) as well as sophomore Max Thompson (1-5-6) are formidable core of blueliners that has a nice blend of size and skill.
Cretin-Derham Hall's penalty kill is strong, shutting down 93.3% of opposing power plays they have faced this season.
Senior Owen Nelson (1.46 goals against average) has made every start for Cretin-Derham Hall this season at goaltender.
Jackson Rudh, St. Thomas Academy