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Official Section 4A Seeding (8 teams)
Team- (Overall Record)
1- Mahtomedi- (13-11-1)
2- Simley- (17-8-1)
3- Chisago Lakes- (19-5-1)
4- St Paul Highland Park (10-14-1)
5- Two Rivers- (10-14-1)
6- St Paul Academy (8-16-1)
7- South St Paul- (6-19-0)
8- St Paul Johnson- (6-16-1)

Section 4A Playoff Bracket
Quarterfinals (2/25/22) @ High Seed
#1 Mahtomedi 9 #8 St Paul Johnson 0
#5 Two Rivers 5 #4 St Paul Highland Park 1
#3 Chisago Lakes 3 #6 St Paul Academy 1
#2 Simley 6 #7 South St Paul 4

Semifinals (3/2/22) @ Roseville Ice Arena
#1 Mahtomedi 6 #5 Two Rivers 0
#3 Chisago Lakes 3. #2 Simley 2 2OT

Section Final (03/04/2022) @ Roseville Ice Arena
#1 Mahtomedi 4 #3 Chisago Lakes 0

Section 4A Champions: Mahtomedi (16-11-1)

2022 Section 4A Playoffs Preview

In Class A high school hockey, power can change hands fast. In two years, St Cloud Cathedral went from State Class A champion to being bounced in the first round. Breck went from a perennial tournament appearance to an also-ran in Section 2A fast as a blip on the hockey radar. Mahtomedi intends to let Section 4A that is not one of those cases with the Zephyrs. After winning 4 straight Section Titles that was capped off with a State Title in 2020 Mahtomedi was bounced badly by eventual State Champion Gentry Academy last year in the Section Title game. Flash forward to this season and gone is the controversial private power to AA and it looks like again Mahtomedi appears to be on its way to reclaiming its place in St Paul in the month of March representing Section 4A.

Number one seed Mahtomedi (13-11-1) has one of the State’s toughest schedules with many of the state’s top-ranked Class A teams this season, including Hermantown, Delano, Orono and East Grand Forks. That murderer’s row of opponents doesn’t include the Zephyrs’ lineup of big-school foes, most notably defending State Class AA Champion Eden Praire, St Thomas Academy twice, Benilde St Margret’s, Hill Murray twice and Cretin Durham Hall. For Section 4A prognosticating purposes, Mahtomedi won its most important game over Simley and they went (4-0-0) in Section 4A play, outscoring their fellow section teams 32-6. They are led up front by senior Brent Gulenchyn and a trio of Juniors David Wolsfeld, Charlie Drage & Carter Haycraft all who have double digits in goals Senior Grant Dardis helps lead a solid blue line. What makes them really dangerous however is their star Senior goaltender Ben Dardis who is the states best and has been a mainstay since his freshman year and already has two Section 4A titles and one Class A State Title under his belt.

The Zephyrs may seem like a sure thing, but section playoffs always bring out the best in teams and number two seeded Simley (17-8-1) has dreams of making its first trip to St. Paul since 2003. With a Senior filled lineup the Spartans earned the #2 seed by dominating Section 4A teams going (11-1-0) with only a tight one goal loss to Mahtomedi as their only blemish. Seniors Casey Seidl. Jayar Luedke, Josh Painter, Justin Roitman along with Sophomore Matt Milner all have double digit goals and the Senior goalie tandem of Logan Suchy and Cody Davidson have both been solid in the net to make Simley a formidable opponent in the 4A Playoffs.

Number three seeded Chisago Lakes (19-5-1) rounds out the top three in the section. The Wildcats are having one of their best seasons in years thanks to the efforts of the dynamic scoring duo of Ryan Schmidt and Nicholas Helland both of whom have over 20 goals this winter add in a 30 plus point defenseman Junior Nathan Bluhm and Chisago Lakes has one of the State’s most dynamic offensive attacks. The green and gold clad squad has not faced a tough schedule and has not faced many 4A teams, but they have won nearly 20 games and will have plenty of confidence heading into the playoffs as mainly a mystery team to the rest of Section 4A.

Number four seeded St. Paul Highland Park (10-14-1) is having its best season as a program in many year’s and has carried the title of best public school hockey program in St Paul for the first time ever. They don't score much but when they do they are led by Seniors Grant Howatt, Javier Hamlin, Jacob Bell and Junior goaltender Ben Olson has been solid as their Starter in net.

Number five seed Two Rivers (10-14-1) has had a very up and down year showing signs of promise only to follow that up with head scratching losses. If Two Rivers is going to make any headway in the 4A playoffs they will most likely get their contributions from Senior forward Baz Schuehle & Junior forward Casey Bell both of whom lead the team with double digit goals.

Number six seed St Paul Academy (8-16-1) has really struggled this year finding consistent play and that is mostly due to the fact that they really struggle scoring if they do it will need to come from Junior forward George Peltier who leads the team in goals.

Number seven seeded South St Paul (6-19-0) is a traditional program having a very rough year however, two of their six wins were the crucial 2nd meetings with Two Rivers and St Paul Johnson to show they are improving. Senior Carter Heimerl and Freshman Roddick Simons lead a very light offensive attack for a struggling Packers team.

Number eight seed St Paul Johnson (6-16-1) is another traditional high school power who is really struggling to even still field a team. This might be the last group of East Side Pride if they intend to compete they will need Senior goaltender Damian VanDanacker ranks among the state’s best with a .932 saves percentage despite seeing over 40 shots per game.

Mahtomedi is set to be upset this year. I'll take Chisago to do it.

So sad to see what’s happened to the Govies…. I hope they can somehow revive themselves, but St. Paul public schools are really struggling…

Section 4A Playoffs Quarterfinal Games (2/25/2022)

#8 seed St Paul Johnson (6-16-1) vs #1 seed Mahtomedi (13-11-1) @ St. Croix Valley Rec Center, Stillwater, MN
This one looks like a mismatch on paper as these two teams did not play in the regular season but Mahtomedi did beat up on the other lower portion of Section 4A pretty handily. For the tradition rich Governors of St. Paul Johnson we know they will come to battle and not be intimidated and they will need a huge game from Senior goaltender Damian VanDanacker. For the Zephyrs it will be to continue to do what they have down when they faced the lesser of Section 4A teams and have huge offensive outputs and put the game away early.

#5 seed Two River (10-14-1) vs #4 seed St Paul Highland Park (10-14-1) @ Highland Ice Arena, St. Paul, MN
These two teams met way back in November at the TRIA rink and Two River held a 1-0 lead after 2 periods. St Paul Highland Park used a three goal third period to come away with a hard fought win. A Lot has happened over the last 13 weeks since that game around Thanksgiving time and these teams will be looking very different now. Both don't score a ton and want to play a low scoring game as this looks to be a very even highly competitive game. It's been a long time since either program has made a Section Semifinal so this should be a good step forward for whatever program is able to come away with a win.

#6 seed St Paul Academy (8-16-1) vs #3 seed Chisago Lakes (19-5-1) @ Chisago Lakes Arena, Lindstrom, MN
These two teams met on Jan 27th in St. Paul and Chisago Lakes jumped out to a 3-0 1st period lead but after that it was an even game in the final two periods. For St Paul Academy to have success they will need to keep the high scoring Wildcats Senior duo of Ryan Schmidt and Nicholas Helland underwraps as they cant afford to dig a big hole as they don't score much. If SPA can keep this one low scoring they will have a chance but Chisago Lakes offense is averaging 5.5 goals a game so it won't be easy. This one could be more interesting than people think depending how successful the Spartans are defensively.

#7 seed South St Paul (6-19-0) vs #2 seed Simley (17-8-1) @ Vets Arena, Inver Grove Heights, MN
Simley and South St Paul met twice in Metro East Conference play. Both games were tightly contested and Simley needed empty not goals in each to put South St Paul away. South St Paul has struggled producing offense and only managed 1 goal in each game vs Simley. The Spartans on the other hand have gotten good production from their top two lines. They have a senior heavy team and will lean on the experience to try and defeat thier conference rivals for third time this year in what will no doubt be a tight checking low scoring affair.

Section 4A Playoffs Quarterfinal Games (2/25/2022) Recaps

Mahtomedi 9 St Paul Johnson 0
The Zephyrs dominated the Govs from start to finish as they outshot St Paul Johnson 62-6. Mahtomedi’s Jake Hodd-Chlebeck and Owen Harrod each had two goals to lead the Zephyrs offensive attack. Mahtomedi scored multiple goals in every period and used a big five goal 2nd period outburst to put the game away. Ben Dardis picked up the shut out in net and Mahtomeidi moves on to the 4A Section Semifinal on Wednesday Night.

Two River 5 St Paul Highland Park 1
Ty Ouren stopped 34 of 35 shots as Two Rivers upset St. Paul Highland Park 5-1 in the 4A Quarterfinals. Ouren, a junior who was a part-time starter this season, made 15 of his saves in a scoreless first period. Two Rivers' offense kicked into gear late in the second period. Casey Ball and Joe Shepherd each had a goal and an assist as the Warriors built a 3-0 lead. All three Two Rivers goals came in the final 4:06 of the second. William Karlen and Lucas Larson scored in the first 2:20 of the third period to give Two Rivers a 5-0 lead which they would use to win the game and move on to face Mahtomedi on Wednesday Night.

Chisago Lakes 3 St. Paul Academy 1
High-scoring Chisago Lakes had a difficult time solving St. Paul Academy's defense and goaltender Ian Johnson, managing just two goals until Nicholas Helland's empty netter with 34 seconds left clinched the 3-1 victory. Cameron Stangl of St. Paul Academy and Chisago Lakes' Teo Dieperink traded first-period goals. Helland, a senior who ranks among the state scoring leaders with 68 points, assisted on Nikolas Jinks' second-period goal that put the Wildcats ahead 2-1. Chisago Lakes with the win will move on to the Section 4A Semifinals.

Simley 6 South St Paul 4
#7 seed South St Paul gave Simley a good scare in their quarterfinal game. The Packers took a 1-0 lead only to have the Spartans answer with 2 goals of their own to take 2-1 1st period lead. The teams traded goals in the 2nd period and South St Paul tied the game early in the third on Carter Heimerl;s goal to make it 3-3. However Simley would respond again and power forward Justin Roitman completed his hat trick and Simley would escape with a hard fought 6-4 win. The Spartans will now get ready to take on the #3 seed Chisago Lakes in what should be a good Section 4A Semifinal.

Section 4A Playoffs Semi Final Games (3/2/2022)

#5 seed Two River (11-14-1) vs #1 seed Mahtomedi (14-11-1) @ Roseville Ice Arena, Roseville, MN
This one looks like a mismatch on paper as these two teams met back in January and the Zephyrs destroyed Two Rivers 10-2 although the game was tied 1-1 for about midway through the 1st period before Mahtoemedi eventually put up double digits goals. Mahtomedi Senior Brent Gulenchyn and Junior David Wolsfeld had big games in the first meeting and for Two Rivers a team that does not score much they will need big games from their leading scorers Senior forward Baz Schuehle & Junior forward Casey Bell to have any kind of chance. This one appears to be Mahtomedi’s game with run time likely.

#3 seed Chisago Lakes (20-5-1) vs #2 seed Simley (18-8-1) @ Roseville Ice Arena, Roseville, MN
For as big of a mismatch as the first Semifinal of the night will be in 4A we should be in for a treat in the 2nd game as two Top 20 teams who didn't meet during the season will go head to head. Simley is led by Seniors Casey Seidl. Jayar Luedke, Josh Painter, Justin Roitman along with Sophomore Matt Milner all have double digit goals to give the Spartans a solid two line attack they will need it as Chisago Lakes features The Wildcats the dynamic scoring duo of Seniors Ryan Schmidt and Nicholas Helland both of whom have over 20 goals and 30 plus point defenseman Junior Nathan Bluhm give Chisago Lakes one of the State’s most dynamic offensive attacks that is averaging nearly 6 goals a game. Both teams had rocky showings in the Quarterfinals so they will be looking to restore confidence as they battle to take on the Zephyrs in the Section 4A title game.

Section 4A Playoffs Semi Final Games (3/2/2022) Recaps

Mahtomedi 6 Two Rivers 0
The Zephyrs put this game away early when they jumped out on Two Rivers in the first period and scored 4 goals to give them a large lead heading into the first break. After that they just wore down Two Rivers and Senior Mahtomedi goalie Ben Dardis picked up his 2nd straight shutout in the Playoffs and the Zephyrs are heading back to the Section 4A Final for the 6th straight year.

Chisago Lakes 3 Simley 2 2OT
This game lived up to the billing as these two teams went toe to toe in a very good double overtime game. Simley was able to strike to take 1-0 lead but Chisago Lakes would answer and the score would be 1-1 after 1 period. Simley was able to take a 2-1 lead into the third period but again Chisago Lakes would tie the score and send the game to overtime. In double OT it was the Wildcats who found the right formula and they won the game and head to Section 4A FInal.

Section 4A Playoffs Championship Game (3/4/2022)

#3 seed Chisago Lakes (21-5-1) vs #1 seed Mahtomedi (15-11-1) @ Roseville Ice Arena, Roseville, MN
These two did not meet during the regular season but both had really nice years. Chisago Lakes played a much weaker schedule and really just worked on out scoring teams as the year went along. They have the 10th best overall team offense in the State and are averaging 5.5 goals a game. However, in the playoffs they have been slowed down and showed they can win tight games as well and arrive at the Section Championship in 4A as a heavy underdog with nothing to lose. Mahtomedi played the toughest Class A Schedule in the State and they arrive at the Section Championship with plenty of big game experience and have seen high end forwards from some of the state’s best AA teams all season long. This is a group that knows how to win in the playoffs and they will look to shut down and grind the Wildcats to claim a victory and reclaim their title as Section 4A Champions.

Section 4A Playoffs Championship Game (3/4/2022) Recap

Mahtomedi 4 Chisago Lakes 0
The Zephyrs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the period behind Juniors forward David Wolsfeld’s 2 goals and Cav Bruner and Patrick Egan added goals in the second period and a 4-0 lead was more than enough to cruise from there. Mahtomedi’s Star Senior Goalie Ben Dardis recorded his 4th straight shutout and will enter the state tournament red hot in the net. Mahtomedi locks up the 8th and final State playoff spot as they head to St Paul next week.