AA QF Game- #4 Rogers vs #5 Edina
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 10:46 am
March 6th, 2025 | 8:00 PM CT | Class AA Quarterfinals | @ Xcel Energy Center, St Paul MN
https://letsplayhockey.com/the-scouting ... e-preview/
Rogers Royals (23-3-2) / MSHSL strength of schedule – #10
TRENDING DATA:
WEEKEND WARRIOR: Our nod tips to d-man Nolen Geerdes. Arguably one of the top-3 two-way players in the entire state. Textbook neutralizer through both the neutral zone and in his own end with an active stick and quick sweep and wheel clears kickstarting the Royals’ attack. Not overly physical, but he doesn’t have to be with his success in such a fundamental zen-like approach. Burgeoning O-zone contributor, deployable on all special teams and power play catalyst. The confident, calm demeanor is of a savvy NHL veteran, zero panic in his game.
Edina Hornets (20-6-2) / MSHSL strength of schedule – #1
TRENDING DATA:
OVERVIEW: A prototype Edina squad with depth scoring and solid defensive efforts but suffer from lack of senior leadership and the normal toughness/grit a senior-laden team tends to bring. Couple that deficiency with an unsteady regular season goalie rotation due to the Bjorgaard injury and six losses easily crept into the Hornets record this season. As much as they can get hot and are well-deployed under the bright lights of the X, this team feels a year away especially facing a formidable path just to reach a potential Saturday night final where you need to beat Rogers and Moorhead? Whoa. Buckle up, Hornets and we’ll see ya next year! Depth scoring and aggressive, physical play from the blue line will be key, not to mention a hot streak from a healthy Bjorgaard in the pipes. Perhaps, just a bit too tall an order.
WEEKEND WARRIOR: Centerman, Casey Vandertop is the catalyst that makes the Edina Hornets flow dropping dimes at will and mastering puck possession and power play success. The second and third lines pick up their pace when Vandertop thrives, he simply is the straw that stirs the drink and is Edina’s leading scorer with a whopping 4:1 assists-to-goals ratio. Smart, crafty, and wiry strong, Vandertop takes pride in a complete two-way game.
https://letsplayhockey.com/the-scouting ... e-preview/
Rogers Royals (23-3-2) / MSHSL strength of schedule – #10
TRENDING DATA:
- 12-2-1 since the dawn of ’25 and 3 vics in a row and a 3-2-1 record versus AA field.
- An AA field 14 players in double-digit scoring (sharing the lead with Stillwater), 4 players over 40 pts, 2 over 70 pts and like Moorhead, 1 player at +80 pts.
- Mason Jenson – 42/43/85, Parker Deschene – 19/53/72, Keaton Weis – 28/31/59, Nolen Geerdes – 10/35/45, and Brock Cheslock – 17/22/39
- Wyatt Knott garnered a 20-3-2 record with a 1.98 GAA and .905 SP.
WEEKEND WARRIOR: Our nod tips to d-man Nolen Geerdes. Arguably one of the top-3 two-way players in the entire state. Textbook neutralizer through both the neutral zone and in his own end with an active stick and quick sweep and wheel clears kickstarting the Royals’ attack. Not overly physical, but he doesn’t have to be with his success in such a fundamental zen-like approach. Burgeoning O-zone contributor, deployable on all special teams and power play catalyst. The confident, calm demeanor is of a savvy NHL veteran, zero panic in his game.
Edina Hornets (20-6-2) / MSHSL strength of schedule – #1
TRENDING DATA:
- Some may say Edina meandered a bit this season during another gauntlet of a schedule and they wouldn’t be wrong, but the Hornets went 12-3-2 after the calendar turned.
- Albeit short, Edina is on a 3-game winning streak capturing their 4th straight section 6 title but also owns a 1-4 record versus the AA state tourney field, ranking 2nd
- The Hornet has twelve players scoring in double figures with four players surpassing the 40-pt. mark with leaders Casey Vandertop – 9/38/47, Mason West – 23/21/44, Caleb Pittsley – 20/22/42, Freddie Schneider – 13/28/41, and Tucker Johnson – 8/21/29.
- Now healthy, starting netminder, Chase Bjorgaard has only played a third of the season, but in those games, he guided the Hornets to a 9-0-1 record carrying a 1.58 GAA and an impressive .938 SP.
- Per above scoring leaders and goalie listed, there is not one senior among them, so expect a familiar sting next year as well. The Hornet only reloads, folks – deal with it.
OVERVIEW: A prototype Edina squad with depth scoring and solid defensive efforts but suffer from lack of senior leadership and the normal toughness/grit a senior-laden team tends to bring. Couple that deficiency with an unsteady regular season goalie rotation due to the Bjorgaard injury and six losses easily crept into the Hornets record this season. As much as they can get hot and are well-deployed under the bright lights of the X, this team feels a year away especially facing a formidable path just to reach a potential Saturday night final where you need to beat Rogers and Moorhead? Whoa. Buckle up, Hornets and we’ll see ya next year! Depth scoring and aggressive, physical play from the blue line will be key, not to mention a hot streak from a healthy Bjorgaard in the pipes. Perhaps, just a bit too tall an order.
WEEKEND WARRIOR: Centerman, Casey Vandertop is the catalyst that makes the Edina Hornets flow dropping dimes at will and mastering puck possession and power play success. The second and third lines pick up their pace when Vandertop thrives, he simply is the straw that stirs the drink and is Edina’s leading scorer with a whopping 4:1 assists-to-goals ratio. Smart, crafty, and wiry strong, Vandertop takes pride in a complete two-way game.