Section Championships: What to Expect
Chanhassen vs. Minnetonka In a rematch of last year’s back-and-forth bout, Minnetonka and Chanhassen will square off once again with a berth to the state tournament on the line. In 2023, the Storm had its championship hopes dashed by theā¦
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Continue ReadingChanhassen vs. Minnetonka
In a rematch of last year’s back-and-forth bout, Minnetonka and Chanhassen will square off once again with a berth to the state tournament on the line. In 2023, the Storm had its championship hopes dashed by the Skippers, who went on to win a 2-1 match thanks to a goal in second overtime by Alex Lunski. The University of St. Thomas commit will be back to face the Storm this year, along with a host of other stars. Javon Moore Javon Moore 6'2" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN , Hagen Burrows Hagen Burrows 6'1" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN and the Garry brothers headline one of the best attacks in the state, while John Stout John Stout 6'2" | Defense Minnetonka | 2024 State MN and Hunter Bauer are the big names when it comes to defending and protecting the net. However, Minnetonka isn’t the only team with star power on all fronts. Chanhassen has multiple forwards who can dish out the puck like Jack Christ, Gavin Uhlenkamp and Caden Lee, all of whom have scored at least 45 points on the season. Despite this, Chanhassen’s best asset has to be Kam Hendrickson Kam Hendrickson 6'2" | Goalie Chanhassen | 2024 State MN , arguably the best goalie in school history. Hendrickson has a 20-5 record to go with a razor thin 1.00 goals against average and a stellar .950 save percentage. The Storm have the pieces together to topple the undefeated Skippers, but only time will tell which team will emerge victorious out of this grudge match.
Centennial vs. Maple Grove
The red-hot Centennial Cougars have roared out to a 14-3-1 record since January 4th, and this streak has allowed them to punch their ticket to the section championship. Centennial’s attack has been bolstered by Harper Searles and Heath Nelson, two star skaters who have each racked up over 60 points. A tandem approach in the net has also helped out the Cougars, with both Easton Cody and Gavin Schahn each boasting a winning record and save percentages above .920. The Cougars will be the underdog versus the Maple Grove Crimson, a 21-6 squad that has won nine of its last 10 games. Goalie Zach Price has been the x-factor, with a 18-6 record, 1.95 goals against average and .925 save percentage all top marks across goalies statewide. Aside from Price, forwards Lucas Busch and Andrew Karkoc have each put up 40 points on the season, and defenseman Owen Smith has added an impressive 34 points to go with captaining a defensive front that has kept opponents to under two goals per game. Both of these teams are bringing plenty of talent to the ice tonight, but it will take three periods of play to see who will come out on top.
Warroad vs. East Grand Forks
In a matchup that many did not expect at the beginning of the year, Warroad will be squaring off against East Grand Forks in the Section finals. East Grand Forks may be the underdog, but make no mistake, this team still came to play hockey. Its 18-8-1 year has been headlined by a pair of dominant postseason victories that include a 15-0 thrashing of Lake of the Woods and a decisive 7-1 victory over Detroit Lakes. Brock Schultz Brock Schultz 5'7" | Forward East Grand Forks | 2024 State MN has been leading the way with 53 points, while Landon Jamieson and Grady Magner Grady Magner 5'8" | Forward East Grand Forks | 2024 State MN have each put up 35 points a piece on the season. East Grand Forks has averaged over five goals per game to go with only allowing 2.41 goals per game, making this team a threat to anyone it faces. On the other end of the ice is Warroad, a team chalked full of stars that looks to return to yet another state tournament. Carson Pilgrim Carson Pilgrim 5'9" | Forward Warroad | 2024 State MN is the big name for the Warriors, a 60 point getter who does nothing but produce on the attack. Aside from Pilgrim, Taven James has racked up 57 points on the year, and Murray Marvin-Cordes Murray Marvin-Cordes 5'8" | Forward Warroad | 2024 State MN has been as efficient as ever with 47 points of his own. 6-foot-2, 200 pound defenseman Ryan Lund Ryan Lund 6'2" | Defense Warroad | 2024 State MN is also a threat on both ends of the ice, and rounds out what has proved to be one of the best Class A rosters in the state. Both of these teams have had excellent seasons in their own right, but only one of them can make it to the state tournament.