Class A QF: Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato vs. #1 Hermantown
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 2:07 pm
LITCHFIELD/DASSEL-COKATO VS. #1 HERMANTOWN
-Hermantown begins its attempt to end six straight years of runner-up trophies against a mild surprise from the southwestern part of the state.
Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato (20-8, #16, 2-seed in 3A)
State appearances: 3 (first since 2008)
Key section win: 7-6 (OT) vs. #15 Luverne
-The Dragons are one of the stronger teams to emerge from 3A, but drew the short stick and are stuck with Hermantown in the first round. They score goals in bunches but give them up fairly often as well, and have respectable scoring depth for an unseeded A team. David Raisanen (7) and Jared Pedersen (5) lead them in points, and defenseman Ben Haugo (20), the hero of their section final upset of Luverne, is a high-scoring, dangerous defenseman. Dylan Lemke (1) came on strong toward the end of the season to win the goalie job. While this team has some potential, their style makes it difficult to see them having even the slightest chance against Hermantown.
Hermantown (24-2-1, #1, 1-seed in 7A)
State appearances: 13 (7 in a row)
Championships: 1 (2007)
Key section wins: 9-0 vs. #7 Greenway, 8-0 vs. #5 Hibbing
-This Hawks juggernaut looks primed to end a run of six straight runner-up finishes and sweep away the Class A field. Cole Koepke (27), Ryan Sandelin (11), and Jesse Jacques (8) lead an explosive top line, and heavy-hitting Wyatt Aamodt (5) is one of the state’s finest defensemen. Sophomore Tyler Watkins (18) is the next in the line of great Hermantown forwards, and Matt Valure (4) has also had a highly productive year. Goaltending, which has been an issue for the Hawks in the past, has been a strength with Luke Olson (32) this season. This team may be a tiny bit less deep than the Hawk squad that stumbled in last season’s final, but they make up for it with star power and their customary balance. They breezed through Section 7A and should do the same on Thursday night; things will get progressively tougher after that, and we’ll see how they respond if and when someone gives them a good test.
-Hermantown begins its attempt to end six straight years of runner-up trophies against a mild surprise from the southwestern part of the state.
Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato (20-8, #16, 2-seed in 3A)
State appearances: 3 (first since 2008)
Key section win: 7-6 (OT) vs. #15 Luverne
-The Dragons are one of the stronger teams to emerge from 3A, but drew the short stick and are stuck with Hermantown in the first round. They score goals in bunches but give them up fairly often as well, and have respectable scoring depth for an unseeded A team. David Raisanen (7) and Jared Pedersen (5) lead them in points, and defenseman Ben Haugo (20), the hero of their section final upset of Luverne, is a high-scoring, dangerous defenseman. Dylan Lemke (1) came on strong toward the end of the season to win the goalie job. While this team has some potential, their style makes it difficult to see them having even the slightest chance against Hermantown.
Hermantown (24-2-1, #1, 1-seed in 7A)
State appearances: 13 (7 in a row)
Championships: 1 (2007)
Key section wins: 9-0 vs. #7 Greenway, 8-0 vs. #5 Hibbing
-This Hawks juggernaut looks primed to end a run of six straight runner-up finishes and sweep away the Class A field. Cole Koepke (27), Ryan Sandelin (11), and Jesse Jacques (8) lead an explosive top line, and heavy-hitting Wyatt Aamodt (5) is one of the state’s finest defensemen. Sophomore Tyler Watkins (18) is the next in the line of great Hermantown forwards, and Matt Valure (4) has also had a highly productive year. Goaltending, which has been an issue for the Hawks in the past, has been a strength with Luke Olson (32) this season. This team may be a tiny bit less deep than the Hawk squad that stumbled in last season’s final, but they make up for it with star power and their customary balance. They breezed through Section 7A and should do the same on Thursday night; things will get progressively tougher after that, and we’ll see how they respond if and when someone gives them a good test.