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

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Moorhead Spuds (26-2-1) / MSHSL strength of schedule – #6

TRENDING DATA:

• Currently ranked #1 in MSHSL 14-1-1 in ’25 and on a 3-game win streak only suffering a lone loss in OT at Hill-Murray undoubtedly suffering from ‘bus legs’.

• The Spuds possess the best and only undefeated record versus the AA field at 5-0-1.

• 12 players in double figures with five over the 40-pt. threshold and two players therein over the 70-pt. mark and Mr. Hockey candidate, Mason Kraft over 80!

• Mason Kraft – 37/47/84, Zac Zimmerman – 28/42/70, Ty Bergeson – 24/22/46, Brooks Cullen – 20/22/42, and Brandon Mickelson – 7/33/40

• Stalwart goalie, Charlie Stenehjem posts a record of 25-2-1 with a 1.83 GAA and .913 SP versus states 6th toughest schedule.

OVERVIEW: One of the state’s top 2 teams all season long, as the Spuds battled recently deposed Hill-Murray for those bragging rights. Now, the Spuds are the clear #1 ranked and tourney #1 seed for ’25 dance at the X and so the pressure mounts. A frequent visitor to St. Paul out of section 8, can the Spuds balanced, high-scoring attack coupled with swift two-way defenseman and unsung goalie capture their first ever state title? They should, they are the clear favorite and most balanced, fluid team on either end of the ice this tourney offers. Anything can and will happen, but we would be shocked if the Spuds are not in the title game Saturday night. They defend, score and transition with stealth precision and are as well-coached as any team in the state. So deep, a Mr. Hockey candidate and pedigreed names galore. Get it done, boys because if not now? When?

WEEKEND WARRIOR: Of course, the easy choice would be Stenehjem in net, as any team favored and in search of their first title would need a hot goalie, but our selection is agile defenseman, Brandon Mickelson. ‘The Mick’ is a junior defenseman rising up scouts’ charts as the top d-man in his class and a Reed Larson award candidate next season. After Rogers’ Nolen Geerdes, Mickelson is the most complete two-way d-man with dynamic upside in the O-zone setting up teammates or as the QB on the ruthless Spud power play. Smart, fundamental, instinctive neutralizer with a skies-the-limit future.


Lakeville South Cougars (18-9) / MSHSL strength of schedule – #22

TRENDING DATA:

• 14-2 in ’25 to date carrying an impressive 8-game winning streak.

• Cougars red flag is owning worst record at 0-4 versus the state AA field.

• Eleven players have reached double-digit scoring, with three above 40-pt. mark.

• Carter Ernst – 25/33/58, Jackson Ernst – 23/33/56, and Oscar Balkins – 16/25/41

• Starting goalie of average record has Carson Hauger at 14-9 and a low-brow GAA of 3.28 and SP of .872, however, at this critical juncture playoff run? In his last 4 games, Hauger is 4-0, with a 1.33 GAA and .936 SP…something is cookin’ in Cougar land?

OVERVIEW: The Cougars are a perennial state tourney visitor out of the less-than-stellar section 1 so many argue that a weaker strength of schedule catapults the Cougar year upon year. Ok, fine – it’s true. But year after year, there is talent out of LVS, some more than others, but here they are again led by the brothers Ernst with balanced, depth scoring, and team defense that doesn’t over-pinch and a goalie catching his stride at just the right time in Carson Hauger. One of the worst teams to play in a single elimination tourney? The team with nothing to lose who believes in themselves. We give you, the Cougars of Lakeville South.

WEEKEND WARRIOR: Winger Carter Ernst is an emerging talent and secret no longer. Younger brother of LVS mainstay Jackson Ernst leads the Cougars in scoring edging out his older brother by a mere two points but is now on the radar of both junior league and NHL scouts to be sure. Carter still tips more assists than goals which is always a good sign, but he must be relentless and fire at will. If Carter continues to roll he will inspire depth scoring down the lines and the Cougars will stay on the prowl. Neutralizing Moorhead transitions will be key, because without sustained, three zone checking efforts? It will be a long day for the Cougar.

Added LPH preview to the polling question.

Early lead for South! 1-0

Lee

Now 2-1 south

3-2 South. Was 3-1. Moorhead goalie have some nerves? I'm not seeing a Brimsek finalist yet.

Moorhead will still pull this one out but they are NOT gonna win a state championship being this leaky. Opponents moving forward will light them up.

What happened to the perennial goaltender that Moorhead is known for?

One of the least favorite picks for a close game is turning out to be the best game so far.
A couple of the hits have been steamroller style!
Sure fun to watch !

Not sure they can go the duration in this one, but became a Lake South fan again.

The Sandbaggin’ Spuds have ‘em right where they want them….

SpreadOut! wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 6:42 pm Moorhead will still pull this one out but they are NOT gonna win a state championship being this leaky. Opponents moving forward will light them up.

Terrible period in the d-zone for Moorhead.

More entertainment in the first four minutes than all afternoon.

Agree on the baked potatoes, they are not done quite yet. Let's go Moorhead!

Anybody from northern MN will know this statement. Remer first, Aitkin tomorrow, and Moorhead the next!

Quite the snipe.

From 4-2 (almost 5-2) and now it's 4-4. Moorhead turning it up several notches.

Lee

Barn burner! Still going with the au gratins taking it to the semi's

Well that was fun while it lasted. Spuds gave LS loads of chances.

But the Spuds got 'em right where they want 'em. Because for Spud hockey, the most dangerous lead is three goals.

Interesting. Dunno what the rule says about the goalie losing a glove before a goal is scored

The denial of the South goal was a good call, however.

Lee

What a beautiful goal #6! Wow!

east hockey wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:02 pm Interesting. Dunno what the rule says about the goalie losing a glove before a goal is scored

The denial of the South goal was a good call, however.

Lee

Lee, the guys said if a goalie loses a glove, play continues but if the helmet comes off, immediate whistle. Peterson referred to a college rule.
Looked to me like his glove got caught in the side of the net.
They weren't 100% certain though.
They just said loss of a glove is not reviewable.

Never in doubt!

Moorhead getting 7 goals is only enough against certain teams.

Moorhead finally figured out they had to show up to win. D were shaky often, especially first half of the game. Midway through the second Moorhead finally started working. LS out worked them badly first half of the game.

raidergrad72 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:19 pm

east hockey wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 8:02 pm Interesting. Dunno what the rule says about the goalie losing a glove before a goal is scored

The denial of the South goal was a good call, however.

Lee

Lee, the guys said if a goalie loses a glove, play continues but if the helmet comes off, immediate whistle. Peterson referred to a college rule.
Looked to me like his glove got caught in the side of the net.
They weren't 100% certain though.
They just said loss of a glove is not reviewable.

They took a long time to realize it wasn't reviewable in the first place! Must have had someone up in the box thumbing through a rule manual

In the end, didn't matter much. Moorhead was rolling after going down 4-2. Five unanswered goals is impressive. But if they start like that on Friday, they could well be playing for 3rd place on Saturday.

Lee