AA QF: #5 Centennial vs. #4 St. Thomas Academy

Post by **karl(east)** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 8:37 am

#5 CENTENNIAL VS. #4 ST. THOMAS ACADEMY
-Two quality programs in search of first round breakthrough wrap up the quarterfinals. St. Thomas has won their only two recent contests, including a 4-1 Schwan Cup meeting last season.

Centennial (19-6-3, #10, 1-seed in 5AA)
State appearances: 4 (first since 2014)
Championships: 1 (2004)
Key section win: 6-4 over 2-seed Maple Grove
-The Cougars roll into the State Tournament as a team that sits somewhere below the big four top seeds, but clearly ahead of the three unseeded teams. Mr. Hockey finalist Lucas McGregor (11), who carries the offense, is as important to his team’s success as any one player in the field. Three additional forwards, Hayden Brickner (14), Carter Wagner (8), and Jack Menne (10) were also highly productive, and Will Francis (7) is their clear leader on defense. They don’t have exceptional depth beyond that, but generally play tight, trapping hockey. Travis Allen (1) is an experienced, solid goaltender. If they can lock in to their defensive style and spring their top forwards a few times, 5AA will have a shot at its first quarterfinal win since 2009.

St. Thomas Academy (25-2-1, #3, 1-seed in 3AA)
State appearances: 3 in AA (2 in a row); 8 in Class A
Championships: 5, all in Class A (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Key section win: 4-1 over #12 Eastview
-A year after a quarterfinal upset loss, the Cadets are back at it in search of their first AA quarterfinal win. They didn’t lose in regulation this season, though the schedule was somewhat easier than the other top four. Payton Matsui (14) joins brothers Ray (15) and Rob (11) Christy in leading the offense, while Brendan McFadden (21) has also emerged as a serious threat. Chase Foley (17) is one of the most productive offensive defensemen in the state, and Blake Holmes (5) also anchors the blue line. The one edge they do have over the other top four seeds is goaltender Atticus Kelly (30), who is a finalist for the Frank Brimsek Award. They boast a lethal power play, but will need to avoid the looseness that has plagued them in some big games in recent seasons.

WestMetro · Post by **WestMetro** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 1:34 pm

The Eastview game proved STA can be vulnerable under the right circumstances, even with the best goalie in the tourney .

Cougers are just as good a team as EV, if not better, so they should build some confidence off that close section 3 AA final.

IMHO this is the closest quarterfinal, and if an upset is going to happen this will be it.

(Good luck Travis Allen mom, your friend from Braemar!)

hockey59 · Post by **hockey59** » Tue Mar 06, 2018 9:02 am

STA 4 Centennial 3 OT. This will be a good game & the Cougars are certainly capable of pulling off the upset. These Centennial Seniors (as Bantams) I believe entered the Bantam AA Tourney in 2015 ranked #1 in the State. Lost in the Section 5AA semifinals as sophomores & finals as Juniors...now at State as Seniors...they won’t be an easy out for the Cadets.

hockey59 · Post by **hockey59** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:31 pm

The first 3 of the fabulous 4 hold serve easily to advance to semifinal Friday night. Can STA do it too? So as Ted Knights character said (to the kid standing over the putt) to win the caddie title...”We’ll...we’re WAITING!!!”

deacon · Post by **deacon** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:45 pm

Why is this game starting at 9?

hockey59 · Post by **hockey59** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:47 pm

The late game ALWAYS starts late.

JerseyDave · Post by **JerseyDave** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 8:48 pm

Free audio stream from State of Hockey:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRy0GZTCRjA

Joe2015 · Post by **Joe2015** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 9:20 pm

deacon wrote:Why is this game starting at 9?

The listed times are NEVER accurate. For the Wed, Thur, and Fri games at the X, the more accurate start times would be:

11:20
1:50
6:20
8:50

Ref22 · Post by **Ref22** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 9:21 pm

This should be a good goal.

deacon · Post by **deacon** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 9:22 pm

They got it right

deacon · Post by **deacon** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 9:31 pm

Joe2015 wrote:
deacon wrote:Why is this game starting at 9?
The listed times are NEVER accurate. For the Wed, Thur, and Fri games at the X, the more accurate start times would be:

11:20
1:50
6:20
8:50

Yeah, I get it. Theres no way to do it with TV coverage for the intros.

Ref22 · Post by **Ref22** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:12 pm

lol St Thomas goalie just got ran. #Sneaky

hockey59 · Post by **hockey59** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:14 pm

STA 2 Cougars 1 (after 2 periods) A good game so far, still anybody’s game.

BodyShots · Post by **BodyShots** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:24 pm

STA will only go as far as their goalie will take them. By far the worst set of forwards of the AA teams remaining.

northwoods oldtimer · Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:25 pm

FINALLY!
A game that lives up to AA billing!!!
Should be fun third period and possibly some bonus hockey to cap off the night!

BodyShots · Post by **BodyShots** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:45 pm

Tie game. Just pathetic lazy hockey in your own end on the PP.

Started out cheering for STA, but after watching this game, I've change my thinking and will root for the team giving the most effort. Go Cougars.

hockey59 · Post by **hockey59** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:47 pm

northwoods oldtimer wrote:FINALLY!
A game that lives up to AA billing!!!
Should be fun third period and possibly some bonus hockey to cap off the night!

SCORE Cougars, we got a 2-2 tie game with 8 minutes remaining in 3rd period.

alcloseshaver · Post by **alcloseshaver** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:05 pm

NWSC Pride

BodyShots · Post by **BodyShots** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:07 pm

Glad to see Cent win. They deserved it with much more effort than those lazy cadets.

Joe2015 · Post by **Joe2015** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:09 pm

After coming up short again in the AA tournament, St Thomas Academy announces their return to Class A

.......proceeds to win 3 straight A championships in 19, 20, 21...........

After losing to STA again, Hermantown complains its "not fair" STA is playing in A

northwoods oldtimer · Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:11 pm

BodyShots wrote:Glad to see Cent win. They deserved it with much more effort than those lazy cadets.

Somebody forgot to tell STA had a quarterfinal game to play first.

Post by **east hockey** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:11 pm

That game was worth the wait through three meh quarterfinal games.

Lee

northwoods oldtimer · Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:12 pm

alcloseshaver wrote:NWSC Pride

Monkey is off the back of section 5. Glad to see it!

WestMetro · Post by **WestMetro** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:13 pm

Well done Cougars , especially Travis Allen , there is one excited goalie Mom out there tonight!!!

hockey59 · Post by **hockey59** » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:17 pm

alcloseshaver wrote:NWSC Pride

One hell of a comeback by the Cougars!

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AA QF: #5 Centennial vs. #4 St. Thomas Academy

Who wins?

AA QF: #5 Centennial vs. #4 St. Thomas Academy