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March 6th, 2025 | 1:00 PM CT | Class AA Quarterfinals | @ Xcel Energy Center, St Paul MN

https://letsplayhockey.com/the-scouting ... e-preview/


St. Thomas Cadets (23-5-0) / MSHSL strength of schedule – #16

TRENDING DATA:

• 13-4 in ’25 with a bit of mid-February turbulence, but now on 3-game win streak

• 3-3 versus the AA field

• 13 players in double-digit scoring with 5 over the 40-pt. mark

• 4 of those 13 double-digit scorers are Edina born and bred pucksters.

• Jackson Rudh – 29/29/58, Cole Braunshausen – 21/35/56, Michael Mikan – 17/35/52, Nico Russ – 19/23/42, and William Dosan – 24/17/41

• Sublime, Brimsek-worthy goalie, Cody Niesen is 21-4 with a 1.45 GAA and .928 SP

OVERVIEW: The Cadets were marching along as a top-three ranked squad for the first half of the season in dominating fashion before some late-season hiccups in mid-February. That happens, but most importantly, the Cadets straightened themselves out, learned and moved on. Sometimes this is a good set of events that propels teams in the playoffs. Opponents tend to focus on neutralizing leading scorer Rudh, leaving the door open for Braunshausen, Mikan and Russ. Goalie Cody Niesen has had a stellar three-year run at St. Thomas and should have a good tourney ahead of him if he stays disciplined and trusts the likes of steady Patch Cronin in front of him. Cronin, another three-year star is as calm and confident as they come playing a smart, crafty game, a coach-on-the-ice defensive leader.

WEEKEND WARRIOR: The top scoring Cadets will get theirs, Cronin will be reliable as ever, and Niesen will be dominant in net relying on fundamentals and confidence. The separator here, is undoubtedly, forward Will Dosan. The rugged Bloomington native is a force when he grinds it out as he did in the section 3AA final versus Cretin/Derham Hall, leading the Cadets in scoring and netting the double-overtime, game winning goal. He can be an absolute bull but can also tend to fade at times. If Dosan bears down, grinds it out the full 200-ft. for 51 minutes per tilt at the X? The Cadets may march back to campus with some serious hardware and bragging rights.


Shakopee Sabers (22-5-1) / MSHSL strength of schedule – #20

TRENDING DATA:

• One of the more impressive runs overall with a 14-1 record in ’25 and 9 in a row!

• And 2nd best record versus the AA field, coming in at 3-1.

• Scoring depth with 12 players in double figures, 4 over 40 pts and one player, Mr. Hockey candidate Cooper Simpson, at a whopping 77 pts

• Cooper Simpson – 47/30/77, Cooper Siegert – 21/27/48, Nate Pederson – 15/32/47, Tristin Wassengeso – 14/32/46

• Goalie Owen Lunneborg, has a 19-3-1 record with a 1.59 GAA and .922 SP.

OVERVIEW: Shakopee on opposite sides of the metro from Stillwater, but most closely mirrors the Ponies in roster makeup, strengths/weaknesses, and goalie performance is now on the map. This years’ Chanhassen if you will. Would not surprise many if Shakopee and Stillwater meet up in Friday’s semifinal slot. Shakopee is deep and balanced in scoring with a handful of snipers in Simpson, Siegert and Pederson, but perhaps must unsung is their quieter, yet solid D-corps in the likes of Jack Kultgen and Carson Steinhoff who bring size, grit and just enough of a scoring threat, especially on the power play to back teams off a bit from pinching and pressing. All this and a fleet-footed netminder with strong edgework laterals in Owen Lunneborg and you have the makings for a deep run at the X.

WEEKEND WARRIOR: Right out of the gate, the Sabers will have their hands full w/ the St. Thomas arsenal. It will be key for the Sabers to play defense first and using that to fuel the O-zone chances and then maintain puck possession. Driving this will be d-man Jack Kultgen acting as the goalmouth bouncer for Lunneborg and transitioning quickly with sweep and clear outlets. Moreover, the 6’3”/200 lb Kultgen needs to levy some physical dominance versus the aggressive net-front presence of the likes of the Cadets’ Will Dosan & Co. If Kultgen controls the action, asserts his physicality and just maybe, a few offensive stats? Look out for the sharp Saber-tooths.

Added LPH preview to the polling question.

STA up 1-0, 1:21 into the game. A flurry of activity in front of the net with a loose puck.

1-1 after 2 not much shot action with shak dominating play

The game certainly tightened up a bit after Shakopee scored to the tie game.

Fun game to watch, best of the tourney so far...which isn't saying much. Looking forward to tonight's action!

Lee

east hockey wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:41 pm Fun game to watch, best of the tourney so far...which isn't saying much. Looking forward to tonight's action!

Lee

Agreed. Shakopee put the pressure on at the end in hopes of tying it. Rogers/Edina should be a good one. Well, if Moorhead/Lakeville South goes running time, the late game should start on time.

ryguyMN wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 4:06 pm

east hockey wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:41 pm Fun game to watch, best of the tourney so far...which isn't saying much. Looking forward to tonight's action!

Lee

Agreed. Shakopee put the pressure on at the end in hopes of tying it. Rogers/Edina should be a good one. Well, if Moorhead/Lakeville South goes running time, the late game should start on time.

Lakeville-Moorhead running time? Me don't think so.

raidergrad72 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 6:25 pm

ryguyMN wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 4:06 pm

east hockey wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 3:41 pm Fun game to watch, best of the tourney so far...which isn't saying much. Looking forward to tonight's action!

Lee

Agreed. Shakopee put the pressure on at the end in hopes of tying it. Rogers/Edina should be a good one. Well, if Moorhead/Lakeville South goes running time, the late game should start on time.

Lakeville-Moorhead running time? Me don't think so.

Yep…

Not so likely now. LS and Moorhead rivaling U.S.-Soviets from 1980…