Saturday Night Fights: The Best Matchups in the State of Hockey
Mahtomedi at Minnetonka 1/6 @3:15 p.m. The Mahtomedi Zephyrs have taken a sizeable step back from last year’s state championship run. The seven losses they have racked up to begin the year already nearly matches their total from last year,…
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Continue ReadingMahtomedi at Minnetonka 1/6 @3:15 p.m.
The Mahtomedi Zephyrs have taken a sizeable step back from last year’s state championship run. The seven losses they have racked up to begin the year already nearly matches their total from last year, despite the team being only 12 games into the season. The Zephyr attack has managed to put up 3.67 goals per game, but the defense has regressed significantly, allowing 3.42 goals per game compared to last season’s 2.39 mark. Nonetheless, Mahtomedi has the chops to right its ship and get back on track. The Egan brothers, Patrick and Jimmy, have put up 12 and 21 points on the season, respectively. Each brother has been an asset on the attack, and alongside veteran Jake Hodd-Chlebeck Jake Hodd-Chlebeck 5'11" | Forward Mahtomedi | 2024 State MN , have been able to spark this team to victory here and there. Goalie Charlie Brandt Charlie Brandt 5'11" | Goalie Mahtomedi | 2024 State MN has been on a bit of a slump to start out the year, but considering the majority of his defense from last season’s roster has graduated, it only makes sense some growing pains were in order. On the other side of the ice, Minnetonka has borderline household names chalked all across its roster. Between Javon Moore Javon Moore 6'2" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN , Gavin and Luke Garry Luke Garry 5'8" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN , Hagen Burrows Hagen Burrows 6'1" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN , Sam Scheetz Sam Scheetz 5'9" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN , and John Stout John Stout 6'2" | Defense Minnetonka | 2024 State MN , this team is not short on talent whatsoever. You name a college-bound skater, and odds are, the Skippers likely have them on the team. They have roared out to an 11-0-1 record to open up the year, and are showing no signs of slowing down. It may seem like a nearly unwinnable game for the Zephyrs, but if this team wants to get back on the road to state, they will need an upset this afternoon.
Holy Family at Edina 1/6 @7:00 p.m.
Another battle of Class A vs AA, Holy Family will be traveling to hostile territory to take on the red-hot Hornets, who have won seven of their last eight games. Holy Family may be Class A, but this two-loss program has been dominant to open up the year. Its attack averages five and a half goals per game, being led by junior Holden Pajor’s 18 points. Aside from Pajor, Drew Roelofs, Tanner Davis, and Jack Gleason have all eclipsed 15 points on the year too, showing the depth Holy Family has on the attack. Defensively, the team is just as good, allowing a razor thin goal-and-a-half per game thanks in part to a tandem-goalie approach. Both Adam Kimbrel and Stefano Carranza boast a save percentage north of .940, and each goalie has been integral to keeping Holy Family at its best. The opponent will be Edina, a team that has been dominant for the better part of the 2000’s. Joe Bertram is arguably the best goalie in the state right now, and Jackson Nevers Jackson Nevers 6'0" | Forward Edina | 2024 State MN , Michael Risteau, and sophomore Mason West will lead Edina’s charge on offense. The puck will drop between a pair of two-loss teams later tonight, and it should be a must watch game.
Centennial at Coon Rapids 1/6 @7:00 p.m.
One team is trying to lift itself out of a slump, and the other is riding as high as ever. Centennial has lost three of its last four games, with each defeat being a close bout that the Cougars likely wish they had back. The attack has been inconsistent at best, and the defense has had similar streaks of on-and-off play. Make no mistake, when the Cougars have it all together, they are a tough team to beat, as evidenced by their recent 7-1 thrashing against Spring Lake Park where Harper Searles put on a two goal, two assist clinic on the attack. Knowing this, Centennial needs to string together a few wins to recalibrate, but to do this, they will need to topple a Coon Rapids team that has been on a tear. The seven win, two loss Cardinals are out to their best start in years, and it can be attributed to the fact that they have a deep roster with plenty of do-it-all athletes. Seven of their skaters have already cracked double digit points through only nine games, a group led by seniors Tyler Barsness Tyler Barsness 6'0" | Forward Coon Rapids | 2024 State MN and Roan Bresnahan. Aside from the electrifying offense averaging nearly six goals per game, goalie William Wagner has been a beast between the pipes. The senior boasts a 7-2 record, has shut out three teams and holds a .909 save percentage to boot. The Cougars and the Cardinals both have a lot on the line tonight, making this game one of the premier matchups to tune into once the puck drops.