Class A QF #4 seed 4A Mahtomedi (17-11-0) vs #5 seed 2A Orono (20-8-0)

[ClassAGuy]

#4 Seed (4A) Mahtomedi Zephyrs (17-11-0)
Mahtomedi enters the state tournament for the 7th time in the last 8 years and for their 15th appearance overall. The Zephyrs have prepared themselves for another deep tournament run by playing a schedule filled with tough AA teams that has taught them the way they need to play to win these tough games come March. They have come on strong late in the year as they are (14-4-0) since they beat Orono in late December and they will be looking to defend their State Title this week.

Zephyrs Leaders- Seniors #8 Jake Hodd-Chlebeck (22-25-47 pts), #22 Gene Wegleitner (11-22-33 pts)& #17 Patrick Egan (15-7-22 pt) and Sophomore #21 Jimmy Egan (9-36-45 pts) lead the forward group for Mahtomedi. On the blueline Junior #6 Sam Harris (5-22-27 pts) leads a veteran group of big defenders that all are 6 '0 ft and above in height and who take away time and space well.

Zephyrs Goalies- Senior # 30 Charlie Brandt (10-6-0) 3.23 GAA .898 SV% & Junior #35 Wes Strub (7-5-0) 1.98 GAA .929 SV% have split the net down the middle most of the year and the rotation has continued into the playoffs so far.

Zephyrs Recent Tourney Success- Mahtomedi historically had struggled to find success at the Tourney as they had never been able to reach the championship game despite making the Tourney 11 times from 1992-2019. However, things changed dramatically once the calendar flipped to 2020 as they have now gone (8-1-0) in their last three state appearances which includes two State Titles in the last 4 years. They enter this State Tournament having been questioned throughout the year as to how good this team really was but based on what we have seen recently from them the Zephyrs should be considered a title contender until proven otherwise.

Zephyrs Special Teams- The Power Play is at 22.4% and Penalty Kill is at 83.2%

#5 seed (2A) Orono Spartans (20-8-0)
Orono enters the state tournament for the 2nd straight year and 11th time overall. The Spartans have been one of the best teams in Class A all year. They did go through a little struggle in the middle part of the season as they were hit with a bad rash of injuries. However, they were able to develop more depth during that time and now they are healthy. They come in rolling having gone (7-2-0) in the month of February and they look primed to contend for the program’s 2nd ever State Title this week.

Spartans Leaders- Sophomores #34 Jackson Knight (20-22-42 pts.) & #16 Rory Kvern (15-14-29 pts) and Seniors #6 Easton Sankey (13-12-25 pts.), #22 Tommy Lewin (9-14-23 pts) lead a very deep Orono offense. Seniors #27 Joey Mugaas (10-24-34 pts) & #5 John Engebretson (5-20-25 pts) leads a very good defensive unit and these two are as good of a defensive pair that you will see at the Tourney.

Spartans Goalie- Senior #30 Peyton Anderson (15-7-0) 1.92 GAA .910 SV% has really come on strong down the stretch and been rock solid in the net for Orono as the Spartans turned it on in the 2nd half he has been excellent in goal.

Spartans Depth- The Spartans are one of the deeper Class A teams in the State. Once they were able to get healthy they have been able to play 4 lines and 3 pairs of defense which allows them to stay fresh and just wear out the opponent which can be illustrated in the fact that they are outscoring teams 48-26 in the 3rd period on the year and through three playoff games they have outscored teams 5-0 during the third to put games away. It's nothing flashy, but Orono is just a physical and hardworking team that plays a very heavy game that continually comes at you line after line until they wear you down and if they stay out of the box they can be very successful and make Tourney run.

Spartans Special Teams- The Power Play is at 25.6% and Penalty Kill is at 85.9%

[The51]

Does Mahtomedi still wear those screen printed jerseys? If so I think I'm going to have to root against them

[ClassAGuy]

Does Mahtomedi still wear those screen printed jerseys? If so I think I'm going to have to root against them

They do haha

[ClassAGuy]

Below are are the links to the 15 Questions in 60 seconds that YHH does.

Always enjoy these allows you to get to know the players more:

Orono Senior #27 Joey Mugaas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aw5Qeh4oPI&t=1s

Mahtomedi Sophomore #21 Jimmy Egan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZp5b0udSig

[ClassAGuy]

LPH Preview of Mahtomedi vs Orono
Mahtomedi Zephyrs (17-11-0)

LPH Final Rankings: 6

Goals for-Goals Against: 3.93-2.86

Power Play: 22.4%

Penalty Kill: 83.2%

Goals Leader: Jake Hodd-Chlebeck 25

Assists leader: Jimmy Egan 37

Points leader: Jake Hodd-Chlebeck 47

Mahtomedi came in third place in the Metro East conference between Hill-Murray and St. Thomas Academy this season. They were able to fight their way to the state tournament after defeating Southwest Christian/Richfield in the section final 3-2. They now find themselves matched up again with Orono in the first round of the state playoffs at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

The 2023 state champions bring two players who have scored over 40 points this season. Jake Hodd-Chlebeck scored 25-22-47 and Jimmy Egan scored 9-37-46. They also have three players with 20 or more, Patrick Egan (21), Sam Harris (26), and Gene Wegleitner (33). This Zephyrs team is chock-full of talent yet again, but will it be enough to repeat as champions?

Wes Strub has a 2.06 GAA, 0.925 Sv% and two shutouts in net for Mahtomedi. LPH HOCKEY PHOTO.
The Zephyrs started the season going 3-5-2 which was not the start they expected, but two of those losses were against Warroad in overtime, and Delano again in overtime. They finally found their stride later in the season, as they carried an eight-game winning streak into St. Paul. A notable win in that stretch was versus Cretin-Derham Hall who will be playing this week as well.

Orono Spartans (20-8)

LPH Final Rankings: 5

Goals for-Goals Against: 4.07/2.36

Power Play: 25.6%

Penalty Kill: 85.9%

Goals Leader: Jackson Knight (20)

Assists leader: Joey Mugaas (25)

Points leader: Jackson Knight (42)

Orono finished third in the Metro West Conference with a record of 8-3 behind Chanhassen and Benilde-St. Margarets but were still able to find their way to the state tournament by defeating Minneapolis 4-1 in the section final. They will go up against No. 4 seeded Mahtomedi in the first round of the tournament at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Orono Spartans look to make a simular run to a state title as their 2018 state championship win. Photo from @Oronoboyshockey on X
The Spartans are led by Sophomore forward Jackson Knight in goals and points scoring 20-22-42. Knight should be a pivotal piece for Orono in the next few years.

“Jackson played JV all last year and is now our leading scorer. It shows you the dedication these kids have,” said Head Coach Sean Fish.

The Spartans also have a strong blue liner with Joey Mugaas heading the pack. Mugaas has scored 10-25-35 this seasoning has led the defensive group for Orono. They can score and have a strong defense, but they are also strong in the net with Peyton Anderson. Anderson has sported a 1.93 GAA, 0.910 Sv%, and three shutouts.

“We have 12 seniors this year, so we have experience, even if their roles have increased this year,” said Fish.

The Spartans head into St. Paul winning eight of their last ten games, with their only two losses coming against two top Class AA teams in Chanhassen and Benilde-St. Margaret’s.

“Despite it being a loss, the Chan game taught us who we are as a team, and that we can beat and stay with anyone in the state.”

The Spartans also showed how good they are offensively, scoring 17 goals in their three playoff games.

“This is the most confident I’ve been coaching a team in my career,” said Fish.

[ClassAGuy]

StarTribune GameDay Preview of Orono vs Mahtomedi

No. 5 seed Orono (20-8-0) vs. No. 4 seed Mahtomedi (17-11-0), 8 p.m.
SCOUTING THE ORONO SPARTANS

State tournament trips: 11th.

Top three scorers: Jackson Knight, sophomore F (20 goals, 22 assists); Joey Mugaas, senior D (10 goals, 25 assists); Rory Kvern, sophomore F (15 goals, 14 assists).

In goal: Peyton Anderson, senior — 15-7-0, 1.92 GAA, 91% saves, three shutouts.

Did you know? Coach Sean Fish was the 2022 Class 1A state coach of the year after leading the Orono girls team to third place.

SCOUTING THE MAHTOMEDI ZEPHYRS

State tournament trips: 15th.

Top three scorers: Jake Hodd-Chlebeck, senior F (25 goals, 22 assists); Jimmy Egan, sophomore F (nine goals, 37 assists); Gene Wegleitner, senior F (11 goals, 22 assists).

In goal: Charlie Brandt, senior — 10-6-0, 3.23 GAA, 89.8% saves, three shutouts; Wes Strub, junior — 7-5-0, 2.06 GAA, 92.5% saves, two shutouts.

Did you know? Because of a challenging schedule, the defending Class 1A champions hadn't won more than two games in a row this season until their current eight-game winning streak.

[elliott70]

This has been good so far.

[ClassAGuy]

This has been good so far.

Agreed very physical gams so far. Both teams trying to assert themselves doesn't look like a lot of nerves they seem to be into the flow early.

[elliott70]

Be interesting to see if refs start calling anything.

[ClassAGuy]

BHS Class A State QF #4
#4 Mahtomedi 0
#5 Orono 0
End of the 1st Period
Both teams get into their style of game early and we have a physical battle going. Looking like another #4 vs #5 seed Late night classic.
SOG 8-8

[ClassAGuy]

Be interesting to see if refs start calling anything.

Mahtomedi on the PP takes a 1-0 lead

[ClassAGuy]

Now Orono gets PP gaol and tied again quickly 1-1 2nd period

[ClassAGuy]

BHS Class A State QF #4
#4 Mahtomedi 1
#5 Orono 1
End of the 2nd Period
Another very even period. Both teams counter punch each other PP goals and we head into the third period still tied. But Orono will get PP to start the 3rd period.
SOG- 18-16 Orono

[ClassAGuy]

It's a GOOD GOAL #38 Brooks Fegers with a huge tip in go ahead goal for Orono!
Orono leads 2-1 3rd period

[ClassAGuy]

Mahtomedi ties it up with shallow angle shot by #8 Jake Hodd-Chlebeck from the corner! The Defending Champs wont go down easily

[JerseyDave]

Oh my.

Just tuned in and have seen three goals so far. KSTP app is working well for me in split-screen on an ipad with the other side of the screen showing this message board.

[ClassAGuy]

Mahtomedi goes up 3-2 now WOW

[JerseyDave]

4-2 Mahtomedi, eng, 2:15 remaining

Was that too early to pull the goalie? I think it was at about 2:45 remaining.

UPDATE: 5-2, another empty netter, 1:48 remaining (four unanswered goals by the Zephyrs in a few minutes)

FINAL 5-2, defending Class A champion Mahtomedi advances to semis against Hermantown, a rematch of last year's semis.

[ClassAGuy]

BHS Class A State QF #4
#4 Mahtomedi 5
#5 Orono 2
Final
Mahtomedi shows their championship character as they score FOUR unanswered goals after Orono took the lead. Now they head to the SF to take on the Hawks!