Heading into the Big Pumpkin, Osseo Maple Grove was the favorite. On Friday, they showed why. They meticulously beat a very good Cloquet team 10-0 on Friday afternoon. Their speed, precision passing and three deep lines were a treat to watch. Seven other teams will go to bed Friday night with dreams of knocking them off this weekend.
Edina and Eden Prairie appear to be headed for a great final four matchup Saturday night. The Eagles whipped Blaine 13-2 and the Hornets scored four third period goals Friday to beat Wayzata.
Watch out for one of the three District 8 teams to make some noise Saturday. Apple Valley, Park Cottage Grove and Lakeville South all made the Elite 8, don't be surprised if one or two make the final four.
Keegan Orth Scores for EP in their 13-2 win over Blaine
OMG > Cloquet (10-0)...Chris Kernan Hatty, Sam Jacobs 2G/2A
LVS > EGF (3-1)...Cade Ahrenholz had 1G/1A including GWG
St. Cloud > Bloomington Jefferson (4-3, OT)...Jack Smith had 2G including GWG with :19 left in OT
Apple Valley > Stillwater (5-2)...Mark Hentges and Nate Messerich 2G each
Edina > Wayzata (5-1)...Marc Lund with Hatty
Park Cottage Grove > Duluth East (2-1)...both Goalies - Connor Nelson (PCG) and Konrad Kausch (DE) - with career performances...Dalton Anders on GWG.
Eden Prairie > Blaine (13-2)...Drew Holt 4G/2A and Carter Batchelder 4G
Chaska Chan > White Bear Lake (4-1)...Gavin Waltz had 1G/1A
Chaz Lucius had 9 points Friday for Blaine
The Leafbirds will be too much for Lakeville South Saturday
Quarterfinals
-Osseo Maple Grove vs. Lakeville South
The Call: Leafbirds too strong
-St. Cloud vs. Apple Valley
The Call: Eagles will fly high
-Edina vs. Park Cottage Grove
The Call: Hornets too much for Wolfpack/Flyers/Indians
-Chaska Chan vs. Eden Prairie
The Call: An Eagle is a real bird
Jake Schneider shows of his YHH Hatty hat Friday after he scored 3 goals vs. Roseau
Gavin Waltz, Chaska Chanhassen - last year the StormHawks had prolific scorer Bobby Brink who had dynamic hands and goal scoring ability. This year they have a new kid on the block. Waltz, a player who moved from Alaska joins CC and has made an immediate impact. Great skill and a nose for the net.
Cade Ahrenholz, Lakeville South - built like a Defensive End and had hands softer than the Palm Olive girl. Ahrenholz was both the defensive answer to Landon Parker vs. EGF and got the GWG to help the Cougars to Quarters.
Jake Scneider, Wayzata - hard nose player who produced several goal scoring opportunities with his speed and shooting ability in both games Friday.
Konrad Kausch, Duluth East - despite losing to Park Cottage Grove on Friday, Kausch made multiple highlight reel saves in the clutch for the Hounds.
Tristan Tabucol, Stillwater - great speed and hands for a big guy - impressive presence on the ice. Over time could be a big threat for the Ponies later in the season.
Connor Mahoney, Lakeville South - one of the most complete players we saw Friday. Great hands, very confident with the puck and had amazing ice presence. A coaches dream who played hard every shift.