A QF Game- #3 Northfield vs #6 Orono

[ClassAGuy]

March 5th, 2025 | 1:00 PM CT | Class A Quarterfinals | @ Xcel Energy Center, St Paul MN

#3 Seed (1A) Northfield Raiders (22-4-2)
Northfield enters the state tournament for the 3rd straight year and 4th time overall. The Raiders have been the dominant program all year in Southern Minnesota as they were able to win the Big Nine Conference again and go unbeaten within Section 1A play which they capped off by winning the Section title again and they did not allow a single goal during their section playoff run to return back to St Paul this week. Now they will look to take things a step further as they want to get back to the State Semifinals for the 1st time since 2017.

Raiders Leaders- Seniors #7 Will Cashin (30-30-60 pts) & #21 Griffin Kennelly (18-19-37 pts) and Junior #9 Michael Steward (14-29-43 pts.) been Northfield’s top line all year. The Raiders blueline is led by Junior #4 Bridger Riley (4-42-46 pts) & Sophomore #2 Ben Geiger (20-34-54 pts) and they are as good as they come as they are gifted players who can not only defend but they can add to the offense as well.

Raiders Goalie- Senior #1 Max Frank (16-4-1) 1.96 GAA .904 SV% has been their main guy in net all season long. He has experience of playing in the Tourney last year and he is red hot as he has not given up a goal yet in postseason play.

Raiders Shut Down Defense- The Raiders started the year by winning a wild shootout game 8-7. Since that game though the strength of this team is its defense. They have really bought into playing a different way than they have played in the past. They still have scoring punch but this team comes into the Tourney having recorded 9 shutouts on the year and they are currently on a three game shutout streak entering this contest and they hope that commitment to team defense might be the key to help them get past the Quarterfinal Round this year.

Raiders Special Teams- The Power Play is at 37.4% and Penalty Kill is at 90%

#6 seed (6A) Orono Spartans (15-10-3)
Orono enters the state tournament for the 3rd straight year and 12th time overall. The Spartans played many of the best teams in Class A this year. They did go through a little struggle in the middle part of the season as a result but they were able to develop the habits needed to win tight games come playoff time. They now come into the Tourney having gone (5-1-0) in the month of February and they knocked off two Top 10 Class A teams to get back to St Paul. Orono now looks primed to contend for the program’s 2nd ever State Title this week.

Spartans Leaders- Juniors #34 Jackson Knight (33-29-62 pts.) & #16 Rory Kvern (13-25-38 pts) and Seniors #9 Trey Landa (21-29- 50 pts) & #28 Ethan Pagel (18-12-30 pts) lead the Orono offensive attack as each have double digit goals. Junior #3 Luca Decubellis (5-18-23 pts) leads the defensive unit and he is a big defender who can jump up and contribute at any time as well.

Spartans Goalie- Senior #31 Evan Schmidt (11-10-3) 2.69 GAA .906 SV% has really come on strong down the stretch and been rock solid in the net for the Spartans this year as their starter and he has been at his best during their playoff run

Spartans Playoff Revenge Tour- Orono played nearly every Top 20 team in Class A this year and while they played right with the best they ended regular season (3-8-2) in those games. However, since the start of February this has been a different team and they have really taken their play to another level. They have now been on a revenge tour in the playoffs beating two teams already who they didnt during the year to get here. Up next is the Raiders who did beat them in a very good game 4-2 early in the year but the Spartans are looking for revenge now.

Spartans Special Teams- The Power Play is at 28.6% and Penalty Kill is at 77.5%

[east hockey]

Head says Orono, heart says Northfield

Lee

[TTpuckster]

Head says Orono, heart says Northfield

Lee

Got it.

[ClassAGuy]

TV reporting Orono's Leading Scorer is OUT today

Huge blow for Spartan if True

[raidergrad72]

TV reporting Orono's Leading Scorer is OUT today

Huge blow for Spartan if True

Tough adjustment at the last minute. Lots of times, makes a team more determined.
The Wild haven't collapsed yet and look who they're missing.

[ClassAGuy]

Orono 1-0

[ClassAGuy]

Orono up 2-0 now

[ClassAGuy]

BHS Hockey 2025 Class A State QF #2
#3 Northfield 0
#6 Orono 2
End of the 1st Period
Excellent period for Orono they get jump out to the 2-0 despite missing leading scorer. Northfield has some digging to do now and will need to respond fast

[ryguyMN]

Having the top guy out not a factor for Orono. Friend of mine told me Orono is about team play and structure, so missing one guy isn't a big deal.

[ClassAGuy]

Big early goal for NFLD!

2-1 now

[ClassAGuy]

Orono now up 4-1 they are in full control

[ClassAGuy]

BHS Hockey 2025 Class A State QF #2
#3 Northfield 2
#6 Orono 5
End of the 2nd Period
Northfield scored in the 1st and last minute of the period. However, it was all Orono in between and the have a commanding lead heading into the 3rd period.

[raidergrad72]

6-2 now. Looks like Orono is moving on. Clearly have taken the game back .

[ryguyMN]

7-2 now. Orono running away with it. Friday's semi could be interesting if SCC starts of slow again.

[ClassAGuy]

6-2 now. Looks like Orono is moving on. Clearly have taken the game back .

ughhhh 7-2 and more Class A QF misery... Bummer

[raidergrad72]

6-2 now. Looks like Orono is moving on. Clearly have taken the game back .

ughhhh 7-2 and more Class A QF misery... Bummer

For sure. 8-2 final. SOG 23,-21 Orono.
See how they do against SCC.
I'm picking Mahtomedi over NF in the consolation game.