AA QF: Farmington vs. #2 Stillwater
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 2:14 pm
FARMINGTON VS. #2 STILLWATER
-Two new players on the state scene collide in the opening round, and this one has potential to be a good one. They have no recent history with each other.
Farmington (18-8-1, #20, 2-seed in 1AA)
State appearances: First in AA; 2 in Class A (first since 2000)
Key section win: 6-1 vs. #4 Lakeville North
-The Tigers, fresh off taking down defending champ Lakeville North for the third time this season, head into their first AA tournament. Their clear star is Mr. Hockey finalist Tyler Jette (18), a raw but dangerous defenseman, and Erik Holmstrom (6) gives them a second excellent defenseman who racks up big points. They won’t be able to match Stillwater’s depth, but they do have a decent stable of forwards in Wyatt Jensen (16), John Siebenaler (12), and Grady Hauswirth (3). Sophomore goalie Gavin Enright (33) played a starring role in their wins over North. They could pull this upset if they maintain the defensive discipline that served them so well this year.
Stillwater (26-1-1, #3, 1-seed in 4AA)
State appearances: 2 (first in 2014)
Key section win: 1-0 (OT) vs. #17 Hill-Murray
-The Ponies roll into the X with the best record in the state, though we’ll see how much their fairly soft schedule managed to prepare them. Their top two lines are all in the family, as brothers Noah (11) and Jackson (10) Cates lead the top line, while TJ (22) and Simon (21) Sagissor join Luke Manning (15) on the second. Matt Stanton (9) anchors a quality third line, and on defense, Jesse Bjugstad (3) leads a group that improved as the season went along. The Ponies also have one of the state’s better senior goalies in Josh Benson (30). They’re a deep, balanced team that moves the puck very well, but can be frustrated by a stout defense, and are in a very new position as a Tournament favorite.
-Two new players on the state scene collide in the opening round, and this one has potential to be a good one. They have no recent history with each other.
Farmington (18-8-1, #20, 2-seed in 1AA)
State appearances: First in AA; 2 in Class A (first since 2000)
Key section win: 6-1 vs. #4 Lakeville North
-The Tigers, fresh off taking down defending champ Lakeville North for the third time this season, head into their first AA tournament. Their clear star is Mr. Hockey finalist Tyler Jette (18), a raw but dangerous defenseman, and Erik Holmstrom (6) gives them a second excellent defenseman who racks up big points. They won’t be able to match Stillwater’s depth, but they do have a decent stable of forwards in Wyatt Jensen (16), John Siebenaler (12), and Grady Hauswirth (3). Sophomore goalie Gavin Enright (33) played a starring role in their wins over North. They could pull this upset if they maintain the defensive discipline that served them so well this year.
Stillwater (26-1-1, #3, 1-seed in 4AA)
State appearances: 2 (first in 2014)
Key section win: 1-0 (OT) vs. #17 Hill-Murray
-The Ponies roll into the X with the best record in the state, though we’ll see how much their fairly soft schedule managed to prepare them. Their top two lines are all in the family, as brothers Noah (11) and Jackson (10) Cates lead the top line, while TJ (22) and Simon (21) Sagissor join Luke Manning (15) on the second. Matt Stanton (9) anchors a quality third line, and on defense, Jesse Bjugstad (3) leads a group that improved as the season went along. The Ponies also have one of the state’s better senior goalies in Josh Benson (30). They’re a deep, balanced team that moves the puck very well, but can be frustrated by a stout defense, and are in a very new position as a Tournament favorite.
