Tickets Punched: The Best Games from the Section Tournaments
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Chanhassen 2, Minnetonka 1 The Storm pulled up arguably the biggest upset in Minnesota high school hockey history this past Saturday as they toppled Minnetonka in what ended up being an absolute barnburner. The Skippers entered this game with a…
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Continue ReadingChanhassen 2, Minnetonka 1
The Storm pulled up arguably the biggest upset in Minnesota high school hockey history this past Saturday as they toppled Minnetonka in what ended up being an absolute barnburner. The Skippers entered this game with a 25-0-2 record, a historic run that many saw ending at the Xcel Energy Center with a state title. Unfortunately for Minnetonka though, Chanhassen came prepared, and with the help of some stellar defensive play and a few timely goals, were able to emerge victorious. Despite being out-shot 25 to 45, Chanhassen was able to stave off the Skipper attack in part thanks to goalie Kam Hendrickson Kam Hendrickson 6'2" | Goalie Chanhassen | 2024 State MN . The senior was already going into this game as one of the best goalies in school history, but this performance should cement him as the best. Hendrickson saved 44 of the 45 shots that came his way, an impressive feat that is even more notable when considering the Skippers have nine division one recruits, many of whom are on the attack. Even so, Hendrickson was brilliant through all three periods, even holding off a final assault as the horn sounded to give his team the win. On the attack, the Storm notched two early goals by Andy Earl, the first being on the power play after an early holding call on the Skippers. After that, it was up to Hendrickson and the defense to hold off Minnetonka, a feat they pulled off without much of a hitch. Aside from the slew of shots the Skippers got off, Hendrickson and the defense were still able to kill three penalties, which was enough to grant them the win. The Storm will be entering its first state tournament in program history, and after pulling off an upset like that, should be in a good spot to make a splash come tourney time.
Mahtomedi 3, Southwest Christian/Richfield 2
Mahtomedi faced a red-hot Southwest Christian/Richfield team with a trip to the state tournament on the line, and after three and a half periods of play, emerged as a state tournament contender. After two periods of perfection from Southwest Christian goalie Jannes Kamp Jannes Kamp 6'5" | Goalie Southwest Christian/Richfield | 2024 State MN , the Zephyrs were trailing 1-0 in the third period with a desperate need to get some points. Thankfully, those points came in the form of back-to-back goals by Jake Hodd-Chlebek and Sam Harris, which gave the Zephyrs a 2-1 lead. After Southwest Christian answered with a goal of its own, the game was set to go into overtime. Less than 30 seconds into the overtime period, it was Harris once again who was the hero for the Zephyrs, burying his second goal of the night to give his team the 3-2 overtime victory and a berth to the Class A state tournament.
Warroad 4, East Grand Forks 3
In what proved to be another Class A barnburner, Warroad faced one of the best East Grand Forks teams in years, barely coming out on top after four periods of play. Both teams were not short on offense, finishing with 30+ shots a piece and putting plenty of pressure on the defenses to step up and play hard. After a scoreless first period, it was Warroad who struck first on a goal by Broden Hontvet, his first of two on the night. From there, both teams traded blows until the game was eventually gridlocked in a 3-3 tie heading into overtime. From there, it was Hontvet who was once again the hero of the night. The sophomore buried his second goal in the second overtime period, ending a long scoring drought for both sides as Warroad punched its ticket to yet another state tournament, continuing this team’s dynastic levels of success.
Grand Rapids 3, Andover 2
In yet another playoff matchup that went into overtime, Grand Rapids shocked Andover with a 3-2 win that was capped off by a game winner, a dream night for the program. At first, the game was all Andover. The Huskies scored the first two goals of the night by the second period, and facing a 2-0 deficit as the underdog, things were looking bleak for Grand Rapids. Nonetheless, this team did not falter, and junior forward Gus Drennen got the scoring started for his team, which was then followed up by a Seth Carlson score early in the third period to tie the game up at two. From there, no other team notched a goal until the second overtime period, a 40 minute long scoring drought that was finally upended by Carlson. The guy ripped a shot into the back of Andover’s net, and just like that, Grand Rapids was heading to the state tournament.