4A Final- #1 Chisago Lakes vs #2 Mahtomedi

[ClassAGuy]

Section 4A Final I February 27th, 2025 | 7:00 PM CT | @ Aldrich Arena, Maplewood

#1 seed Chisago Lakes Wildcats (16-9-2)
Chisago Lakes enters the 4A Section Final for the 3rd time in the last 4 years. They have been able to take care of business on their side of the bracket so far and head into this game with good momentum and they were the only team in the section that had a winning record during the season. Now they take on Mahtomedi, a team that has had their number in the playoffs but they were able to defeat them during the year to give them confidence that they can win this game and get back to State for the first time since 2014.

Wildcats Leaders- Seniors #27 Max Bobrowski (21-23-44 pts) & #9 Alex Bever (12-20-32 pts) and Juniors #21 Jacob Kletti (18-28-46 pts) & #18 Austin Slettom (16-13-29 pts) lead a deep offense that has multiple players with double digit goals and add to them Junior #5 Max Koch (6-30-36 pts) who is one of the top Junior defenseman in the entire state for Class A on the Chisago Lakes blueline.

Wildcats Goalie- Junior #1 Shandley Corbin (10-8-2) 2.60 GAA .902 SV% won the starting role in net as the season went on. He is a lengthy and athletic goaltender who has the ability to steal a game from time to time. He is normally at his best when he gets lots of shots and he was tough to beat when knocked off the Zephs during the year.

Wildcats Transfer Help- Chisago Lakes has been a strong Class A program for many years as since 2010 they have only once not won double digits games. However, last year was a disappointing year going (11-14-1) and getting upset in the 4A QF round. They also graduated a bunch of talent from that team looking at this year. However, two transfers changed the projection of this group as Alex Bever, from Hill, & Jacob Kletti, from Mahtomedi, came in the offseason and both are top 5 in scoring and have made this deeper and better group.

Wildcats Special Teams- The Power Play is at 34.2% and Penalty Kill is at 78.5 %

#2 seed Mahtomedi Zephyrs (10-15-1)
Mahtomedi enters the 4A Section Final for the 9th straight year. The Zephyrs have become the program within this metro east Class A section and they will look to head back to State for the 4th consecutive year. It's been a rough year for Mahtomedi but they have cruised through the first two rounds and outscored the first two 4A opponents 15-2 and they will not look to do what they normally do as they will try to return to state for the 8th time in the last 9 years out of Section 4A

Zephyrs Leaders- Seniors #14 Laken Decker (12-8-20 pts) & #10 Winston Wright (10-9-19 pts) and Sophomores #8 Devin O'Donnell (12-15-27 pt) & #17 Will Seevers (7-9-16 pts) lead the forward group for Mahtomedi. On the blueline Junior #23 Cody Loida (4-12-16 pts) & 9th grader Ryker Dunbar (2-11-13 pts) lead a group of defenders that has been work in progress throughout the year.

Zephyrs Goalies- Senior # 35 Wes Strub (6-9-1) 3.38 GAA .904 SV% & Junior #30 Jackson Chesak (4-6-1) 2.63 GAA .922 SV% have split the net down the most of the year and the rotation has continued into the playoffs so far as both have gotten a start and the win in net during their first two Section 4A playoff wins.

Zephyrs Section 4A Dominance- Mahtomedi lost in the 2021 Section 4A Final to Gentry Academy, who went on to win Class A and move to 4AA, and since that loss the Zephyrs have been dominant in Section 4A. Over the last 4 years they are 26-1 vs 4A opponents and have outscored section teams 187-26 in those 27 games which shows why they are still the favorite to win their 8th section title in the last 9 years. However, that one 4A loss was to Chisago Lakes so that does make this rematch an interesting one.

Zephyrs Special Teams- The Power Play is at 8.2% and Penalty Kill is at 78.6%

[stateofhawkey]

I couldn't believe the numbers about Mahtomedi against Section opponents, so I double-checked them. You were off slightly, but the point remains the same. Since losing to Gentry in that 2021 Section Final, Mahtomedi is 26-1 against Section opponents, outscoring them 187-26. How in the world does a team put up numbers like that and still be allowed to remain in the Section, and Class?

[ClassAGuy]

I couldn't believe the numbers about Mahtomedi against Section opponents, so I double-checked them. You were off slightly, but the point remains the same. Since losing to Gentry in that 2021 Section Final, Mahtomedi is 26-1 against Section opponents, outscoring them 187-26. How in the world does a team put up numbers like that and still be allowed to remain in the Section, and Class?

In fairness this is somewhat inflated due to the weakness of depth in 4A.

The last 2 Section Finals have been good games with Mahtomedi in dogfights in both
2023 4A Final- Tied 1-1 late into 3rd period before they got the game winner and put the game away and won 3-1 over Chisago Lakes
2024 4A Final- Took overtime vs Southwest Christian/Richfield to win 3-2 in OT

So at least the Section Finals have been good. Next year is section realignment year and 4A losses Kennedy who retires as a program... I am curious to see how they do the map... still shocked they put "SOUTHWEST" Christian in the Metro East Section... Stars used Richfield on the MSHSL map to get in... Curious to see how things will look in April.

[hockeyfan74]

I would say Chisago has to be the favorite this year. Mahtomedi continues to de undisciplined as they took 9 penalties vs Highland. Chisago has a dangerous power play as Mahtomedi found out in the first meeting with Chisago going 3 for 6 on the PP and winning 3 to 2.

Part of the issue is not only taking too many penalties but it has been head scratching who Maht chooses to kill those penalties. Despite struggling on the kill they keep sticking with the same groups specifically on the D side. One D has struggled on the kill all year. He struggles winning battles and clearing bodies which is tough when you are on the PK.

I do believe Mahtomedi is the deeper team but don't have confidence in their discipline and some of the bench moves are confusing to say the least.

Either way I think it should be a good game as I don't see either team running away with it.

[ClassAGuy]

I would say Chisago has to be the favorite this year. Mahtomedi continues to de undisciplined as they took 9 penalties vs Highland. Chisago has a dangerous power play as Mahtomedi found out in the first meeting with Chisago going 3 for 6 on the PP and winning 3 to 2.

Part of the issue is not only taking too many penalties but it has been head scratching who Maht chooses to kill those penalties. Despite struggling on the kill they keep sticking with the same groups specifically on the D side. One D has struggled on the kill all year. He struggles winning battles and clearing bodies which is tough when you are on the PK.

I do believe Mahtomedi is the deeper team but don't have confidence in their discipline and some of the bench moves are confusing to say the least.

Either way I think it should be a good game as I don't see either team running away with it.

I watched Mahtomedi on the last day of regular season have 3-1 lead on a red hot and defending State Champ SCC team going into the 3rd period. Then they took 4 penalties in the 3rd period & OT gave up 2 PP goals and lost.

Chisago Lakes scored all three of their goals on the PP in the 3-2 upset win Mahtomedi.

Mahtomedi as you have pointed out struggles with discipline and they are not great on PK on top of that and they are horrid on the PP. However, this is a scary team if they keep it 5 vs 5 they took Hibbing, CEC & SCC to OT and they beat Warroad & Orono. If they beat Chisago tomorrow they are gonna be a nightmare draw for the #2 seed at 11 AM at the X.... IF they win tomorrow which feels like a close one on paper.

[elliott70]

So you are thinking they will be the 7 seed?

[hockeyfan74]

I would say Chisago has to be the favorite this year. Mahtomedi continues to de undisciplined as they took 9 penalties vs Highland. Chisago has a dangerous power play as Mahtomedi found out in the first meeting with Chisago going 3 for 6 on the PP and winning 3 to 2.

Part of the issue is not only taking too many penalties but it has been head scratching who Maht chooses to kill those penalties. Despite struggling on the kill they keep sticking with the same groups specifically on the D side. One D has struggled on the kill all year. He struggles winning battles and clearing bodies which is tough when you are on the PK.

I do believe Mahtomedi is the deeper team but don't have confidence in their discipline and some of the bench moves are confusing to say the least.

Either way I think it should be a good game as I don't see either team running away with it.

I watched Mahtomedi on the last day of regular season have 3-1 lead on a red hot and defending State Champ SCC team going into the 3rd period. Then they took 4 penalties in the 3rd period & OT gave up 2 PP goals and lost.

Chisago Lakes scored all three of their goals on the PP in the 3-2 upset win Mahtomedi.

Mahtomedi as you have pointed out struggles with discipline and they are not great on PK on top of that and they are horrid on the PP. However, this is a scary team if they keep it 5 vs 5 they took Hibbing, CEC & SCC to OT and they beat Warroad & Orono. If they beat Chisago tomorrow they are gonna be a nightmare draw for the #2 seed at 11 AM at the X.... IF they win tomorrow which feels like a close one on paper.

I agree 100% - the only team I didn't think they matched up well with this year was Htown and they lost. Mahtomedi is a team that could lose Thursday or win the whole thing.

[ClassAGuy]

So you are thinking they will be the 7 seed?

Need to see the field

Warroad #1 if they win If EGF still ahead of Maht (Beat them head to head)
Hibbing or CEC #2 both beat Maht
SCC or Moose #3 ... SCC beat Maht and Moose were ranked 5 in final Coaches poll and would have beat defending champs in 5A Final

Then...
Northfield should be #4 ... Beat both MPLS & Orono head to head out of 2A tied SCC/lost to Moose seems solid at 4
MPLS 5, Northern Lakes 6

Section 3A Champ #8

Mahtomedi looks like a number #7

Now if we get bunch of upsets like both Alex and Lourdes winning they will move up they would be seeded higher then both of those.

And as you always say its a coaches vote so who knows in the end...

As of right now though my guess would be #7 maybe but that could change big time with one or two upsets.. Will revisit this on Friday

Fun to think about looking at matchups if things play out we should have 3 quality games on Wednesday... Be big step forward for Class A

[MeFirst]

I couldn't believe the numbers about Mahtomedi against Section opponents, so I double-checked them. You were off slightly, but the point remains the same. Since losing to Gentry in that 2021 Section Final, Mahtomedi is 26-1 against Section opponents, outscoring them 187-26. How in the world does a team put up numbers like that and still be allowed to remain in the Section, and Class?

In fairness this is somewhat inflated due to the weakness of depth in 4A.

The last 2 Section Finals have been good games with Mahtomedi in dogfights in both
2023 4A Final- Tied 1-1 late into 3rd period before they got the game winner and put the game away and won 3-1 over Chisago Lakes
2024 4A Final- Took overtime vs Southwest Christian/Richfield to win 3-2 in OT

So at least the Section Finals have been good. Next year is section realignment year and 4A losses Kennedy who retires as a program... I am curious to see how they do the map... still shocked they put "SOUTHWEST" Christian in the Metro East Section... Stars used Richfield on the MSHSL map to get in... Curious to see how things will look in April.

When do they re-classify A/AA again? Two Rivers will challenge at the top of 4A if/when they were to come back to A.

[ClassAGuy]

I couldn't believe the numbers about Mahtomedi against Section opponents, so I double-checked them. You were off slightly, but the point remains the same. Since losing to Gentry in that 2021 Section Final, Mahtomedi is 26-1 against Section opponents, outscoring them 187-26. How in the world does a team put up numbers like that and still be allowed to remain in the Section, and Class?

In fairness this is somewhat inflated due to the weakness of depth in 4A.

The last 2 Section Finals have been good games with Mahtomedi in dogfights in both
2023 4A Final- Tied 1-1 late into 3rd period before they got the game winner and put the game away and won 3-1 over Chisago Lakes
2024 4A Final- Took overtime vs Southwest Christian/Richfield to win 3-2 in OT

So at least the Section Finals have been good. Next year is section realignment year and 4A losses Kennedy who retires as a program... I am curious to see how they do the map... still shocked they put "SOUTHWEST" Christian in the Metro East Section... Stars used Richfield on the MSHSL map to get in... Curious to see how things will look in April.

When do they re-classify A/AA again? Two Rivers will challenge at the top of 4A if/when they were to come back to A.

Comes out in April that is this year again they do that

[BSUBeaver]

I couldn't believe the numbers about Mahtomedi against Section opponents, so I double-checked them. You were off slightly, but the point remains the same. Since losing to Gentry in that 2021 Section Final, Mahtomedi is 26-1 against Section opponents, outscoring them 187-26. How in the world does a team put up numbers like that and still be allowed to remain in the Section, and Class?

In fairness this is somewhat inflated due to the weakness of depth in 4A.

The last 2 Section Finals have been good games with Mahtomedi in dogfights in both
2023 4A Final- Tied 1-1 late into 3rd period before they got the game winner and put the game away and won 3-1 over Chisago Lakes
2024 4A Final- Took overtime vs Southwest Christian/Richfield to win 3-2 in OT

So at least the Section Finals have been good. Next year is section realignment year and 4A losses Kennedy who retires as a program... I am curious to see how they do the map... still shocked they put "SOUTHWEST" Christian in the Metro East Section... Stars used Richfield on the MSHSL map to get in... Curious to see how things will look in April.

When do they re-classify A/AA again? Two Rivers will challenge at the top of 4A if/when they were to come back to A.

Coming up this spring/summer for next year.