Class A QF #4 seed 2A Orono (23-5-0) vs #5 seed 1A Northfield (23-5-0)

[ClassAGuy]

BHS Class A Quarterfinal
#4 seed 2A Orono (23-5-0) vs #5 seed 1A Northfield (23-5-0)

Section 2A Champions Orono Spartans
Head Coach: Sean Fish 1st Year
Record: 23-5-0
Road to State: W 2-1 OT Hutchinson, W 8-5 Minneapolis, W 4-1 Delano
State Tournament History: 10th appearance- 1992, 1993, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2014, 2018 (State Title), 2023

Meet The Spartans: Head Coach Sean Fish fresh off building a strong girls program in Orono has worked wonders in his first year coaching the boys side bringing the program back to State for their 10th overall appearance. The Spartans were the team to beat all year in Section 2A and while they did have a few close calls they come into St Paul having gone through one of the toughest Class A Sectionals in the State. Orono will roll three lines, but they are led by their 2 offensive spark plugs in Seniors #21 Bradley Walker (19-29-48 pts.) & #7 Avery Anderson (16-28-44 pts.) who have really been the catalyst of the Orono attack all winter. They also get solid contributions from Senior #9 Joey Greennagle (8-13-21 pts.) and nice core of Juniors #15 Cayden Effertz (15-16-31 pts), #6 Easton Sankey (9-15-24 pts.), #22 Tommy Lewin (11-6-17 pts) & #38 Brooks Fegers (9-8-17 pts.). They play a heavy game and if they can play their style without going to the box they are an effective 3 line group that can wear on opponents. The Spartans have a good defensive core as well as Juniors #5 John Engebretson (5-22-27 pts.) & #27 Joey Mugaas (3-27-30 pts.), the human breakout machine, contribute offensively as a top defensive pair. Both are big and mobile defenseman who can join the rush. Add in the the veteran Senior #8 Caden Bickett (1-13-14 pts.) and Orono has a very good group of blueliners as well. In goal, Senior #1 Brock Peyton (15-3-0) 1.79 GAA .929 SV% missed the early part of the year due to injury but once he returned in late December he was very strong again this winter. He is a big X factor this upcoming week as he can steal a game where the Spartans get severely outshot making Orono a dangerous match up for anyone. This roster is deep and experienced and they come to state looking to do the same thing they did the last time they were in St Paul and that’s bring home another Class A Title.

Section 1A Champions Northfield Raiders
Head Coach: Mike Luckraft 9th year
Record: 23-5-0
Road to State: W 8-1 Rochester Lourdes, W 6-1 Dodge County, W 6-0 New Prague
State Tournament History: 2nd appearance- 2017 & 2023

Meet The Raiders: Head Coach Mike Luckcraft brings Northfield back to the Class A State Tournament for just the 2nd time ever but both appearances are under his watch in the last nine years. The Raiders were on redemption path all season after being stunned in the Section 1A Semifinals last year as the #1 seed. Many players from that team returned and they have been a force again down south winning the Big Nine Conference and rolling through the Section 1A Playoffs to arrive in St Paul. Up front they have speed and depth as Junior #12 Kamden Kaiser (39-26-65 pts.) is the team's leading goal scorer and is paired with Juniors #11 Jake Geiger (25-27-52 pts.), the teams 2nd leading leading scorer, and #16 Andrew Winter (15-10- 25pts), who missed the section final game, to make a dynamic first line if all are healthy. They have depth as well Junior #20 Cayden Monson (19-31-50 pts.) along with Sophomores #13 Will Cashin (11-25- 36 pts.) & #22 Mike Olsen (17-15-32 pts.) all have double digit goals themselves. On defense they have two offensive defenseman in Senior #2 Mike Fossum (4-25-29 pts.) & Junior #7 Ty Frank (5-18-23 pts.) both have over 20 points as the top pair. Add in the Riley brothers, Senior #6 Brecken (1-7-8 pts) & 9th Grader #4 Bridger (1-14-15 pts.), and the D-core has good puck skill and offensive ability to allow the team to play an uptempo fast style. In the nets they have a security blanket in goaltender Senior #30 Keaton Walock (23-3-0) 1.23 GAA .932 SV% and he has an eye popping ten shutouts this winter and has been locked in all year. This team is serious a contender from the Southern Minnesota and the last time they were at the X they upset the then #3 seed Mahtomedi Zephyrs to advance to the Class A semifinals this team has the depth and talent to achieve that same feat this coming week.

[ClassAGuy]

The Game of the day as always is the nightcap with #4 seed Orono meeting #5 seed Northfield with identical records of (23-5-0). Both teams have been outstanding all year long. The are mirror images of each other. Both are Deep up front with 3 lines and speed and skill. Both have lethal Top D pairs that have put up massive points and Both have Elite Senior Goaltending. This one looks like a really good game on paper. They did play back in December a game Orono won 3-1.

Can Northfield get revenge on the big stage in St Paul or will Orono be able to once again prevail and advance to the semifinal round?

[raidergrad72]

I'm going to go with Northfield 3-2, maybe ot.

[ClassAGuy]

0-0. after 1

[ClassAGuy]

Orono takes the 1-0 lead

[ClassAGuy]

NFLD answers right back 1-1

[raidergrad72]

NFLD answers right back 1-1

Definitely the game of the day.

[east hockey]

NFLD answers right back 1-1

Definitely the game of the day.

Yep, been a good one!

Lee

[raidergrad72]

If anybody is watching this Mark Parrish is all wound up! Actually good to hear that enthusiasm.

[ClassAGuy]

We head to Overtime

Excellent Class A Game in this one!

[ClassAGuy]

Orono throwing everything at NFLD in the 1st OT.... Raiders will not break yet

[ClassAGuy]

BHS Class A Quarterfinal #4
(4) Orono 2
(5) Northfield 1
Final OT

Spartans win it on a tip in front which is what it was gonna take to beat Northfields Walock in net. Excellent Class A Game!

Orono moves on to face Warroad on Friday in the SF

[raidergrad72]

BHS Class A Quarterfinal #4
(4) Orono 2
(5) Northfield 1
Final OT

Spartans win it on a tip in front which is what it was gonna take to beat Northfields Walock in net. Excellent Class A Game!

Orono moves on to face Warroad on Friday in the SF

Wow. Wish I could have stayed up for it but 3 am get-up had me going to sleep after period 2.