February 6
Minneapolis at Chisago Lakes - 7:00 PM
Minneapolis travels to Lindstrom to face Chisago Lakes in this intriguing Class A matchup.
Minneapolis is coming off a hard-fought 6-5 overtime loss to Cloquet/Esko/Carlton, but they had been riding a five-game win streak prior to Saturday night's defeat. They are led at forward by seniors Johan Krasean (15 goals, 18 assists, 33 points) and Matthew Walsh (4-13-17), junior Eli Milinkovich (18-13-31), senior Rory Kronick (10-15-25) who provide grit, skill and scoring up front.
On defense, seniors Nick Anderson (5-20-25) and Nik Nordeen (3-4-7), juniors Milo Black (3-6-9) and Jack Shroat (0-2-2), sophomore William Ackerman (1-3-4) as well as freshman Wilson Lamberty (5-10-15) are a group that likes to be involved in the play at either end of the ice.
At goaltender, senior Adam Lybeck (2.29 goals against average) has carried most of the goaltending duties for Minneapolis, but they have utilized junior Griffin Simpson (2.89 goals against average) as well.
Chisago Lakes is coming off a 6-4 victory over Sauk Rapids/Rice and is currently riding the momentum of a four-game win streak. The Wildcats are led at forward by seniors Alex Bever (9-13-22), Ben Kerkow (6-8-14), and Max Bobrowski (14-11-25), as well as juniors Jacob Kletti (14-16-30), Landon Kerkow (4-10-14) and Austin Slettom (9-9-18) set the pace offensively for Chisago Lakes.
The Wildcats' power play has been heating up lately and is finding the back of the net at a 31.2% rate.
On defense, senior Lucas Ide (3-6-9), along with juniors Max Koch (4-19-23), Colton Whiterabbit (2-6-8), and Cooper Toepper (3-5-8), as well as sophomore Drake Nelson (0-2-2) round out Chisago Lakes' blueline which is very active at both ends of the ice.
Junior Shandley Corbin (2.71 goals against average) has carried most of the goaltending duties for Chisago Lakes this season, but they have utilized senior Brett Hanson (2.84 goals against average) as well.
Nik Nordeen, Minneapolis
February 6
Andover at Rogers - 7:00 PM
It hasn't been the smoothest ride for Andover this season, but they're hoping to rally back and force others to take notice as they travel to Rogers to battle the Northwest Suburban Conference leader. Rogers prevailed 2-1 in the season opener on November 21st, can the Royals pull off the sweep?
Andover is coming off a 4-2 victory over Grand Rapids and is feeling the momentum of a six-game win streak. Andover is led at forward by senior Luke Babineau (8-8-16), juniors KJ Sauer (15-11-26), Brody Peterson (4-9-13), and Keaton Coe (4-5-9) will have to carry the offense for Andover which was a team that at times struggled to score. Sophomores Camden Langfeld (9-18-27) and William Thackeray (4-5-9), as well as freshman Jack Rykkeli (3-8-11), are young players to watch for.
On defense, senior Drew Law (1-2-3) and juniors Casey Rogers (1-6-7), Owen Lutgen (4-5-9), Cooper Johannsen (1-1-2), and Chase Nadeau (4-16-20) will be leaned upon to try to slow down Rogers' high-powered attack.
Junior Cash Cruitt (2.12 goals against average) is the Huskies' go-to option at goaltender and is one of the state's best.
Rogers is coming off an 8-3 rout of Maple Grove and is full of confidence that one would get from an 11-game win streak. Rogers is led up front by a trio of seniors in Parker Deschene (Lindenwood commit, 16-50-66), Mason Jenson (Ohio State commit, 36-38-74), and Keaton Weis (25-29-54) who lead the way offensively for the Royals. Juniors Brock Cheslock (11-20-31) and Avenir Belous (9-10-19) provide valuable secondary scoring to an offense that averages well over six goals per game.
The Royals' power play is lighting the lamp at 36.2%.
On defense, seniors Nolen Geerdes (Western Michigan commit, Ranked #168 by NHL Central Scouting, 7-30-37), 6-foot-5 Jackson Smithknecht (Colorado College commit, 2-13-15) and Brady Sorrentino (3-3-6) lead a deep Rogers defense corps. Juniors Jayden Kurtz (4-10-14) and Matthew Hauser (6-12-18) are an underrated second pairing that gives the Royals quality depth on its blueline.
The Royals' penalty kill is also solid, shutting down opposing power plays 90% of the time.
At goaltender, senior Wyatt Knott (1.98 goals against average) has carried most of the duties between the pipes for Rogers this season, but they have utilized junior Tyler Bacon (.905 save percentage) as well.
Matty Hauser, Rogers
February 7
Cloquet/Esko/Carlton @ Warroad - 7:30 PM
The Lumberjacks travel northwest to Warroad's Gardens Arena to take on the Warriors in what should be a Friday night dandy of a game.
YHH recently interviewed Cloquet/Esko/Carlton head coach Shea Walters as part of its Rink of Fire podcast.
Cloquet/Esko/Carlton is coming off a dramatic 6-5 overtime victory over Minneapolis and has won their last four games. The Lumberjacks are led at forward by seniors Bobby Thornton (18-19-37), Grady Knutson (25-15-40), and Niko Gentilini (15-29-44), as well as juniors Conor Sullivan (6-12-18) and Lucas Gentilini (5-4-9) give Cloquet/Esko/Carlton excellent scoring depth. Freshman Jordan Sewell (7-5-12) continues to be a valuable offensive contributor for the Lumberjacks.
The Lumberjacks power play is dangerous, converting on 30.6% of its opportunities.
On defense, seniors Karson Young (8-24-32) and Hudson Snesrud (3-15-18), junior Cole Painovich (2-7-9), and freshman Brahm Snesrud (1-8-9) are a capable group that moves the puck well and plays responsibly in their own end.
At goaltender, Cloquet/Esko/Carlton junior Jacob Iallanardo (1.79 goals against average) has emerged as the Lumberjacks' go-to option, and senior Jamis Halverson (2.61 goals against average) has contributed as well.
Warroad is coming off a 4-2 win over Thief River Falls and is riding a three-game win streak. The Warriors are led up front by the 1-2 punch of senior Taven James (20-25-45) and junior Ryan Shaugabay (14-24-38), along with sophomore Gavin Andersen (5-10-15), who has emerged as an important source of scoring for the Warriors.
On defense, juniors Broden Hontvet (8-21-29), Mason Reed (1-0-1), Sam Hard (7-6-13), and Thomas Grapentine (1-1-2) and sophomores Ryan Lee (2-4-6) and Wesley Schreiner (3-2-5) are a solid group that plays well at both ends of the ice.
At goaltender, the Warriors have rotated between junior Patrick Kennedy (2.44 goals against average) and sophomore Finn Hanson (2.00 goals against average) as well.
Jacob Iallonardo, Cloquet-Esko-Carlton
February 8
Rosemount at Shakopee - 2:00 PM
The Irish travel west across the south metro to face the Sabers in a mid-afternoon matinee, which could indicate how much momentum these two programs have going into the last stretch of the regular season. Shakopee won the first time these two faced one another on January 8th.
Rosemount's Josh Toll was interviewed by YHH a few weeks ago as part of its Rink of Fire podcast.
Rosemount is coming off a 6-3 victory over Eastview and is feeling the confidence of a five-game win streak. The Irish forwards are led by senior Christian Garrity (26-16-42), Quinton VeDepo (6-11-17) and Benny Rutzick (9-17-26), juniors Cade Sherman (19-23-42) and Gavin McNeil (14-20-34) give Rosemount solid scoring depth.
The Irish power play is dangerous, finding the back of the net at a 34.9% rate.
On defense, seniors Josh Toll (St. Thomas commit, 9-29-38), Josh Ganser (2-4-6), and Cristian Nichols (2-28-30), as well as junior Graham Clafton (3-15-18) and sophomore Mason Henderson (1-1-2) are a mobile and offensively active blueline.
At goaltender, junior Sam Clements (2.27 goals against average) has made almost every start this season for the Irish.
YHH interviewed Shakopee's Cooper Simpson earlier in the season as part of its Rink of Fire podcast.
Shakopee is coming off a 7-3 victory over Lakeville South and has won their last two games. The Sabers are led up front by seniors Cooper Simpson (North Dakota commit, ranked #67 by NHL Central Scouting, 31-19-50), Ben Box (9-4-13) and Peyton Chase (8-15-23), juniors Cooper Siegert (17-17-34), Nate Pederson (10-20-30), Daylin Cline (5-14-19), Carson Steinhoff (2-16-18) and Tristin Wassengeso (11-20-31) give Shakopee the kind of scoring depth that is tough to match lines against.
On defense, senior Will Youngberg (1-5-6), juniors Jack Kultgen (2-11-13) and Jaxon Johnson (0-5-5), along with sophomores Landon Huh (1-6-7) 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 (1.72 goals against average) and Niklas Huson (2.65 goals against average) this season.
Christian Garrity, Rosemount
February 8
Sillwater at Cretin-Derham Hall - 3:15 PM
The Ponies travel to Aldrich Arena in a game that should have some seeding ramifications in Section 4AA, to say nothing of seeing who is closer to being champion of the Suburban East Conference. Cretin-Derham Hall won 4-3 the last time these two played one another on January 9th. Who will earn the critical victory this time around?
Stillwater is coming off a 5-4 victory over White Bear Lake and has won their last three games. The Ponies are led up front by seniors Trey Fredenberg (11-28-39), Brody Dustin (25-19-44), Matt Volkman (18-22-40), Luke Myers (14-20-34) and Blake Vanek (15-27-42) give Stillwater plenty of firepower offensively. Talented sophomore Luca Jarvis(15-16-31) continues to play beyond his years.
On defense, seniors John Karkula (0-7-7), Alex Oehlke (1-6-7), and Conor McGlynn (0-10-10), juniors Cal Grilz (5-7-12) and Jonas Kohn (2-20-22) along with sophomore Tate Batchelor (2-15-17) are a group that has a lot of size and experience.
Senior Landon Huber (2.87 goals against average) has carried most of the goaltending duties for Stillwater this season, but they have given opportunities to fellow senior Cal Conway (.932 save percentage) and junior Gavin Bajda (2.25 goals against average) as well.
Cretin-Derham Hall is coming off a 5-1 victory over East Ridge and is carrying a 10-game win streak. The Raiders' attack is led by seniors Max Bennett (16-8-24) and Veszi Lippai (5-8-13), juniors Nate Chorlton (Colorado College commit, 17-18-35), Max Anderson (Miami-Ohio commit, 11-8-19) and Maverick Timmons (4-14-18) set the pace offensively for Cretin-Derham Hall. Freshman Jonny Bloedow (9-8-17) is showing promise.
On defense, 6-foot-5 senior Jimmy Dodig (Merrimack commit, 4-16-20), juniors Phoenix Cahill (Colorado College commit, 1-3-4), Charlie Engstrom (2-7-9), and sophomore Max Thompson (5-13-18) are formidable core of blueliners that has a nice blend of size and skill.
At goaltender, senior Owen Nelson (1.70 goals against average) has carried most of the goaltending duties for the Raiders this season, but they have utilized fellow senior Jackson Werner (.917 save percentage) and sophomore Luca Sciara (2.06 goals against average) as well.
Jonny Bloedow, Cretin-Derham Hall