The Projected Conference Champions (Part 2)
The Iron Range: Rock Ridge To almost no one’s surprise, it appears as if Rock Ridge has all but sealed its destiny as the back-to-back Iron Range conference champions, a feat the Wolverines pulled off thanks to a dominant senior…
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Continue ReadingThe Iron Range: Rock Ridge
To almost no one’s surprise, it appears as if Rock Ridge has all but sealed its destiny as the back-to-back Iron Range conference champions, a feat the Wolverines pulled off thanks to a dominant senior class. The group is deep on the attack, defensively and in the net, making them a well rounded force that can’t be beat singlehandedly. While Kasey Lamppa Kasey Lamppa 6'1" | Forward Rock Ridge | 2024 State MN , Sam Troutwine Sam Troutwine 6'4" | Defense Rock Ridge | 2024 State MN and Ryan Rothfork Ryan Rothfork 5'9" | Goalie Rock Ridge | 2024 State MN round out the senior stars on this team, the young guns have also begun to make a name for themselves. In fact, the two leading scorers for Rock Ridge have been Grady Dimberio and Caz Carlson, a duo that have racked up 44 and 46 points on the year, respectively. Thanks to this stacked roster, Rock Ridge has been on a roll, boasting a 17-5-1 record to go with three lopsided conference victories. Without a doubt, the Wolverines are the best team in the Iron Range, and should be set to bring another conference title home before the playoffs.
The Lake Conference: Minnetonka
Minnetonka was the heavy favorite to clinch the state title, much less the Lake Conference, and as of now, the Skippers control their own destiny going forward. With Edina only one point behind them, perfection is needed going forward for Minnetonka, but fortunately, perfection seems to be all this team knows. Dominant would be an understatement to describe the Skippers, and with so many division one commits on the roster, it only makes sense that a team with this much talent would steamroll its opponents. Javon Moore Javon Moore 6'2" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN , Hagen Burrows Hagen Burrows 6'1" | Forward Minnetonka | 2024 State MN and Ashton Schultz highlight the Skippers’ dynamic attack, and with John Stout John Stout 6'2" | Defense Minnetonka | 2024 State MN championing the defense, it is not an infrequent occurrence to see opposing teams unable to crack double digit shots on the net. Even when opposing attacks can muster up a few shots on goal, they are usually stopped by Hunter Bauer, whose .939 save percentage to go with nine shutouts just proves this Minnetonka team is stacked on all fronts. The 19-0-2 Skippers haven’t showed any signs of slowing down, and as a result, are my pick to finish atop the Lake conference.
The Lake Superior Conference: Grand Rapids
In a conference that is usually the sole property of Hermantown, it has been a nice surprise this season to see Grand Rapids leading the charge with only two games remaining on its schedule. The Thunderhawks are in control of their own destiny, and so far, they have been capitalizing on it. They hold a 14-9 record thanks in part to a stingy defensive unit that has allowed only 2.43 goals per game. Led by senior Bauer Murphy Bauer Murphy 5'11" | Defense Grand Rapids | 2024 State MN and anchored by a triad of goalies, this defensive group has been excellent, keeping the opposing attack stonewalled while also creating opportunities of their own. The Thunderhawk attack is led by Jacob and Nathan Garski, a pair of brothers who, coincidentally, have scored 28 points a piece. Younger brother Jacob has done this on 14 goals and 14 assists, while his older brother Nathan is a little more of a puck general, with his 28 points coming on eight goals and 20 assists. Even with all of this talent, Grand Rapids is only one point ahead in the conference rankings, meaning its final regular season matchup against second-place Hermantown should determine the fate of the Lake Superior conference.