January 23
Park of Cottage Grove at Stillwater - 7:00 PM
This is the second of two games between these two Suburban East conference teams as Stillwater hopes for a series sweep after routing the Wolfpack 10-2 on December 12th.
Park of Cottage Grove is coming off an 8-3 rout of Forest Lake. The Wolfpack are led at forward by seniors Owen Corkish (17-23-40), Gavin Moss (13-12-25), Drew Schumacher (6-8-14), Michael DeStasio (1-7-8), and Max Kaplan (6-17-23) who play with speed and a bit of a chip on their shoulder. Juniors Nick Bailey (7-3-10) and Brady Siemer (3-5-8) give Park of Cottage Grove an element of secondary scoring.
On defense, seniors Caden Schwartz (6-15-21) and Eli Daly (0-7-7), juniors Luke Dahlstrom (4-12-16) and Malachi McMorrow (3-3-6), sophomore Jack Kennedy (0-3-3) are a nice blend of size, skill and experience.
At goaltender, the Wolfpack have rotated between junior Henry Voss (2.05 goals against average) and senior Aidan Miller (.858 save percentage) this season.
Stillwater is coming off an 11-2 rout of Mounds View and is currently riding a 3-game win streak. The Ponies are led up front by seniors Trey Fredenberg (7-23-30), Brody Dustin (18-15-33), Matt Volkman (14-18-32), Luke Myers (10-16-26), and Blake Vanek (12-17-29) give Stillwater plenty of scoring depth with an offense that averages over six goals per game. Sophomore Luca Jarvis (12-12-24) continues his strong season.
On defense, seniors John Karkula (0-5-5), Alex Oehlke (1-6-7), and Conor McGlynn (0-7-7), juniors Cal Grilz (5-5-10) and Jonas Kohn (2-16-18) along with sophomore Tate Batchelor (1-15-16) are a group that has a lot of size and experience.
Senior Landon Huber (.859 save percentage) has carried most of the goaltending duties for the Ponies this season, but they have used fellow senior Cal Conway (1.50 goals against average) and junior Gavin Bajda (2.25 goals against average) as well.
Owen Corkish, Park of Cottage Grove
January 23
Warroad at Roseau - 7:00 PM
Honestly, this game usually could be Hockey Day Minnesota every time it happens, as these two history-rich programs clash for the 2nd time this season. Warroad won the first time, 2-1, on January 5th. Can they earn the sweep?
Warroad is coming off a 6-0 victory over West Fargo (Sheyanne). The Warriors are led up front by senior Taven James (17-20-37), along with juniors Ryan Shaugabay (11-22-33) as well as talented sophomore Gavin Andersen (4-9-13), who has emerged as an essential source of scoring for the Warriors.
On defense, juniors Broden Hontvet (7-15-22), Mason Reed (1-0-1), Sam Hard (6-5-11), and Thomas Grapentine (1-1-2) and sophomores Ryan Lee (1-4-5) and Wesley Schreiner (2-1-3) provide experience and poise that may make it one of the more well-rounded bluelines in Class A.
At goaltender, the Warriors have rotated between junior Patrick Kennedy (2.38 goals against average) and sophomore Finn Hanson (1.88 goals against average) this season.
Roseau is coming off a 3-1 loss to Bemidji. Roseau is led at forward by seniors Cade Ginther (4-7-11), Tucker Kvien (4-6-10), Isaac Baumgartner (6-7-13), Chase Bachleitner (5-8-13), and Jake Halvorson (7-5-12) and junior Jude Wittrock (9-10-19) lead the way offensively for the Rams. Sophomores Abram Waage (1-5-6) and Tyler George (4-7-11), as well as freshman Hal Brellenthin (2-4-6), are chipping in points as well.
On defense, seniors Eli Wensloff (3-8-11) and Austin Klint (5-6-11), juniors Beck Hammer (1-2-3) and Liam Johnson(0-2-2) are the workhorses on the Rams' back end. Sophomore Taden Peterson (1-2-3) is showing more confidence with each game.
At goaltender, senior Abram Hinson (.889 save percentage) has carried most of the duties between the pipes this season, but they have utilized freshman Brendan Simmons (.862 save percentage) as well.
Taven James, Warroad
January 24
Bemidji at Cloquet/Esko/Carlton - 7:00 PM
It's an all-Lumberjacks battle as Bemidji makes the trek eastward to face Cloquet/Esko/Carlton. Which Lumberjacks' team will reign supreme?
YHH recently interviewed Cloquet/Esko/Carlton Head Coach Shea Walters as part of its Rink of Fire podcast.
Bemidji is coming off a 3-1 victory over Roseau. The Lumberjacks are led up front by senior Joey Fankhanel (11-17-28), Briggs Knott (13-14-27), Conor Stodgell (9-13-22), Benji O'Leary (6-14-20) and Dominic Arndt (6-8-14) along with juniors Taevon Welle (6-10-16), Griffin Dewar (7-2-9) and Cal Mattfield (6-9-15) provide Bemidji a plethora of scoring options.
Bemidji's power play has been effective, finding the back of the net at a 33.3% rate.
On defense, seniors Noah Mannausau (6-13-19), Nick Johnson (4-7-11), Ephram Boucher (0-2-2), and Stonewall Gessner (1-8-9), along with junior Eli Kringen (0-3-3) are an experienced group that is a blend of skilled puck movers and rugged stay-at-home defenders.
At goaltender, senior Tate Metcalf (2.38 goals against average) has shouldered most of the workload between the pipes for Bemidji, but they have utilized junior Christian Hill (1.39 goals against average) as well.
Cloquet/Esko/Carlton is coming off a 3-1 victory over Orono. The Lumberjacks are led at forward by seniors Bobby Thornton (12-15-27), Grady Knutson (19-13-32), and Nikolas Gentilini (12-24-36), as well as juniors Conor Sullivan (6-9-15) and Lucas Gentilini (5-3-8) give Cloquet/Esko/Carlton excellent scoring depth. Freshman Jordan Sewell (5-5-10) has had a strong start this season.
Cloquet/Esko/Carlton's power play is dangerous, converting on 32.7% of its opportunities.
On defense, seniors Karson Young (7-17-24) and Hudson Snesrud (2-12-14), junior Cole Painovich (2-5-7), and freshman Brahm Snesrud (0-8-8) are a capable group that moves the puck well and plays responsibly in their end.
At goaltender, Cloquet/Esko/Carlton junior Jacob Iallanardo (1.46 goals against average) has emerged as the Lumberjacks' go-to option, and senior Jamis Halverson (2.01 goals against average) has contributed as well.
Bobby Thornton, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton
January 25
Eden Prairie vs. Hibbing/Chisholm - 8:30 AM
This is the first televised game as part of the festivities at Hockey Day Minnesota as the Eagles of Eden Prairie take on one of the best teams in Class A in the Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets.
Eden Prairie is coming off a 7-3 victory over Buffalo. The Eagles are led at forward by seniors Rio Treharne (9-20-29), Alex Hall (9-13-22), John Kleis (8-9-17), and Chase Klute (16-2-18), who carry most of the scoring for Eden Prairie.
On defense, seniors Nick Koering (Colorado College commit, 1-8-9), Michael Ertle (2-3-5), Connor Nesser (1-1-2), and Blake Couet (1-2-3), as well as junior Cameron Rice (1-5-6) keep it simple in their end and do a great job of limiting scoring chances.
At goaltender, junior Bennett Wilmer (.877 save percentage) has carried most of the goaltending duties for the Eagles this year, but they have given some opportunities to senior Keegan Fryar (2.23 goals against average) as well.
Hibbing/Chisholm is coming off a 6-3 loss to Hermantown. Hibbing/Chisholm is led up front by a trio of juniors in Tate Swanson (11-25-36), Isiah Hildenbrand (5-20-25), and Kelin Elsner (8-3-11), who give the Bluejackets carry most of the scoring load for the Bluejackets. Senior Jace Kampsula (13-5-18) and juniors Benny Galli (7-9-16) and Hunter Gustavsson (5-2-7) provide additional scoring depth. Freshman Cole Swanson (7-18-25) plays with a poise not often seen by a player his age.
The Bluejackets' power play is finding the back of the net at a 30.5% rate.
On defense, senior Ayden Jerkovich, along with juniors Ethan Sundvall (8-14-22), Landon Krampotich (2-5-7), and Mason McDonald (0-3-3), as well as sophomores Dylan Vesel (1-5-6) and Jackson Strukel (0-1-1) along with freshman Whitaker Rewertz (5-6-11) will try to slow down Eden Prairie's offense.
The Bluejackets' penalty kill has been solid, stopping 90.9% of opposing power plays they have faced this season.
At goaltender, senior Rex Walli (2.43 goals against average) shoulders most of the goaltending workload for Hibbing/Chisholm, but they have given opportunities to junior Gavin Lamphere (.759 save percentage) and senior Tim Urdahl (.857 save percentage) to battle for starts as well.
Whitaker Rewertz, Hibbing/Chisholm
January 25
Maple Grove vs. Shakopee - 2:30 PM
Maple Grove makes its way down to Shakopee to face the Hockey Day Minnesota hosts in what should be an intriguing battle of two teams hoping to show the state they are still worthy of being considered contenders in Class AA.
YHH interviewed Shakopee's Cooper Simpson earlier this season as part of its Rink of Fire podcast.
Maple Grove is coming off a 6-1 victory over Champlin Park and is riding a 3-game win streak. At forward, the Crimson are led by seniors Joey Leafblad (2-4-6) and 6-foot-5, 215 pound Brady Aubut (6-5-11). Junior Lane Glende (3-12-15) and Cale Braid (5-2-7), as well as sophomores Wyatt Kuznik (9-6-15) and Jaden Roueche (7-8-15), give Maple Grove scoring through its top two lines.
On defense, senior Jonathan Hicks (2-2-4), juniors Charlie Steenerson (6-foot-5, 200 pounds, 2-8-10), Henry Miller (6-foot-2, 175 pounds, 1-2-3), and Joey Picconato (0-8-8), sophomore Cole Anderson (0-2-2) lead a blueline that is a nice mix of finesse as well as size and strength.
Senior Zach Price (2.98 goals against average) has carried most of the goaltending duties for the Crimson this season, but they have given opportunities to junior Ryder Skanson (.931 save percentage) as well.
Shakopee is coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to Hermantown. The Sabers are led up front by seniors Cooper Simpson (North Dakota commit, ranked #67 by NHL Central Scouting, 25-16-41) and Peyton Chase (8-14-22), juniors Cooper Siegert (15-14-29), Nate Pederson (10-16-26), Daylin Cline (4-14-18), Carson Steinhoff (2-15-17) and Tristin Wassengeso (10-16-26) give Shakopee terrific scoring depth.
On defense, senior Will Youngberg (1-5-6), juniors Jack Kultgen (1-9-10) and Jaxon Johnson (0-3-3), along with sophomores Landon Huh (1-5-6) and Carter Wagner (0-5-5) 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 (1.68 goals against average) and Niklas Huson (2.65 goals against average) this season.
Wyatt Kuznik, Maple Grove