THE FROZEN FOUR: North Dakota Fighting Sioux / Notre Dame Fighting Irish / Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs / Michigan Wolverines Square Off At Xcel Energy Center In St. Paul, Minnesota

NOTRE DAME vs.
MINNESOTA DULUTH

Thurs., April 8 • 5 p.m. ET • ESPN2

http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/9NCAA/2011/semifinal_preview_1.htm

MICHIGAN vs.
NORTH DAKOTA

Thurs., April 8 • 8:30 p.m. ET • ESPN2

 

http://www.insidecollegehockey.com/9NCAA/2011/semifinal_preview_2.htm

MINN. BOYS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT: Prowlers third at state Riley Soderstrom and Josh Koop led Thief River Falls to a 3-0 win Saturday in the third-place game of the Minnesota state Class A boys high school hockey tournament

COURTESY OF FORUM COMMUNICATIONS

By: Ryan S. Clark, Forum Communications, Grand Forks Herald

ST. PAUL — So what if it’s third place? It is still a banner, and at Thief River Falls, that’s a pretty big deal.

A program that touts tradition got a little bit more to brag about Saturday when the Thief River Falls boys hockey team beat Hibbing-Chisholm 3-0 in the third-place game of the Minnesota state Class A state tournament at the Xcel Energy Arena.

The Prowlers (21-9-1) finished third for the second time in school history, with the last time coming in 1945. 

Hibbing-Chisholm (18-11-2) places for the first time at state since 2004 when it finished third.

“It means everything,” said senior goaltender Josh Koop, who made 18 saves in the win. “We have a guy on our team whose grandfather was on one of those teams back in the ‘50s so tradition runs all the way through here and it’s something special to be a part of.”

Adding to the tradition was the focal point following the Prowlers’ 5-0 loss to St. Thomas Academy on Friday in the semifinal round.

TRF coach Tim Bergland said the goal, of course, was to win three games and though it didn’t happen, there was no reason why his team couldn’t come home with something.

Junior forward Riley Soderstrom, who scored two goals, said the 9 a.m. start wasn’t an issue once the team got into its pre-game routine.

“Our seniors were pretty active and they got us going,” Soderstrom said.

Soderstrom broke a scoreless tie in the second period when he scored on a point blank shot with 6:52 left in the frame. He struck again five minutes later when he flew down the left wing and snapped a wrister past Hibbing-Chisholm goalie Nathan Tromp’s blocker for a 2-0 lead.

TRF added one more in the third when Austin Odberg scored with about two minutes left.

MORE:  http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/196574/group/Sports/

MINN. STATE BOYS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT: Bid for state title ends St. Thomas Academy skates to 5-0 win against TRF A state title might be out of reach, but there’s still a chance of taking a trophy back to Thief River Falls.

COURTESY OF FORUM

By: Ryan S. Clark, Forum Communications

ST. PAUL — A state title might be out of reach, but there’s still a chance of taking a trophy back to Thief River Falls.

St. Thomas Academy broke out in the third period with three goals, beating the Thief River Falls 5-0 on Friday in the semifinal round of the Minnesota state Class A boys hockey tournament at the Xcel Energy Center.

“I thought we came out and played pretty decent in the third,” said TRF coach Tim Bergland. “But once they scored, we played back on our heels and we played not to lose. They’re good and they come at you.”

The Prowlers (20-9-1) will face Hibbing-Chisholm (18-10-2) in the third-place game, which will be played at 9 a.m. today. St. Thomas Academy (25-6) will face Hermantown (25-3-2) for the state title.

St. Thomas’ big third period was the product of wearing down a bigger, physical Thief River Falls team.

Cadets coach Tom Vannelli said beating a team like the Prowlers meant quick puck movement.

St. Thomas was quick when Zach Schroeder scored with 18 seconds left in the first for a 1-0 lead.

“Coming into a state tournament, you always have to be ready for a big game,” said Schroeder, who finished with two goals and an assist. “You know they did get here for a reason.”

Schroeder’s goal gave the Cadets a bit of breathing room, but it wasn’t much because of Prowlers goalie Jon Narverud.

The Cadets continually created chances and rushes that Narverud was able to stop until Andrew Commers increased the lead to 2-0 with 9:47 left in the second.

Yet it wasn’t like the Cadets were safe given the Prowlers came back from a two-goal hole in a 7-5 upset against two-time defending state champion Breck in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday.

“Our thing was we didn’t want to give them life,” Vannelli said. “They were going through the motions and we wanted to keep it that way.”

MORE:  http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/image/id/43390/headline/Thief%20River%20Falls%20hockey/

2011 Minnesota State Class "A" Tournament Schedule Beginning Wednesday, March 9, 2011 At The Xcel Energy Center In St. Paul, MN

CLASS A TOURNAMENT:
Wednesday, March 9, 2011


Hermantown (23-3-2, No. 2 seed) vs. Alexandria (12-15-1), 11 a.m.
Rochester Lourdes (24-3-1, No. 3) vs. Hibbing-Chisholm (17-9-2), 1 p.m.
St. Thomas Academy (22-6-0, No. 1) vs. New Ulm (21-4-3), 6 p.m.
The Breck School (20-8-0, No. 4) vs. Thief River Falls (19-8-1), 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 10, 2011
Consolation semifinals, 10 a.m. and noon, Mariucci Arena

Friday, March 11, 2011
Championship semifinals, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Xcel Energy Center

Saturday, March 12, 2011
Consolation championship, 10 a.m., Mariucci; third place, 9 a.m., Xcel Energy Center; championship, noon, Xcel Energy Center

The 5-Year Drought Is Over .. Prowlers Capture Section 8A Championship Over Warroad

The Thief River Falls Prowlers Celebrate With Their Fans In Section 8A

By Tim Kolehmainen, Breakdown Sports USA

Thief River Falls wins 8A title to advance to state

Game recap

Wearing the road blacks on its own home rink, second-seeded Thief River Falls never trailed in beating top-seeded Warroad, 4-1, in the Section 8A final at Ralph Engelstad Arena Thursday night.

Riley Soderstrom scored 47 seconds into the game on a rebound and the Prowlers (19-8-1) led the whole way.

David Nelson scored early in the third period to cut the Prowlers' lead to 2-1 and the Warriors (19-9-0) put on plenty of pressure in the ensuing minutes, but Jon Narverud held them at bay. The Thief River Falls junior goaltender made 18 saves on 19 shots.

Micah Rarnum netted the game-winner three minutes into the second period, a goal that gave the the Prowlers a 2-0 lead. Connor Doherty and Brady Meunier also scored for Thief River Falls.

Andy Foster made 20 saves on 23 shots for the Warriors.

Area prep notebook: Thief River Falls, Warroad play again for 8A title (Courtesy of Grand Forks Herald)

Tim Bergland summed it up best: “Here we go again.” For the third straight year, and the seventh time in the last nine seasons, Bergland’s Thief River Falls boys hockey team plays Warroad in the Section 8A championship. The teams meet at 7 tonight in Thief River Falls, with the winner advancing to the Minnesota state tournament.

By: Greg DeVillers, Grand Forks Herald

Tim Bergland summed it up best: “Here we go again.”

For the third straight year, and the seventh time in the last nine seasons, Bergland’s Thief River Falls boys hockey team plays Warroad in the Section 8A championship. The teams meet at 7 tonight in Thief River Falls, with the winner advancing to the Minnesota state tournament.

Warroad has beaten the Prowlers in four of the last six section finals. Routinely, the games are close — Warroad’s 4-1 win in the 2005 final was the biggest margin of victory. Last season, Warroad won 2-0; the season before, it was 3-2. The Prowlers beat Warroad 3-2 in four overtimes in 2006, with Warroad winning 2-1 the next season.

“I don’t expect a shootout this time, either,” Warroad coach Albert Hasbargen said. “Both teams are well-coached. The priority in both programs has always been defense first. We’ve both had powerful offenses, but it’s been low-scoring affairs when we meet in the playoffs.”

The teams have a different look from a year ago.

Hasbargen said 75 percent of last season’s offense graduated last spring. Nick Stoskopf (18 goals, 19 assists), David Nelson (19-17) and Carson Gray (7-27) pace the four-time defending section champion Warriors. “We’re not as dominant on offense as we’ve been,” Hasbargen said.
 

MORE ON STORY:   http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/195444/group/Sports/

Section 8A Boy's Hockey Tidbits For Those Statistically Crazed Hockey Fans .. Warroad Warriors Led The Pack With (12) Titles In (17) Years

Section 8A Champions Since 1994:

2010 – Warroad Warriors

2009 – Warroad Warriors
2008 – Warroad Warriors
2007 – Warroad Warriors
2006 – Thief River Falls Prowlers
2005 – Warroad Warriors
2004 – Warroad Warriors

2003 – Warroad Warriors
2002 – East Grand Forks Green Wave
2001 – East Grand Forks Green Wave
2000 – Warroad Warriors
1999 – East Grand Forks Green Wave
1998 – East Grand Forks Green Wave
1997 – Warroad Warriors
1996 – Warroad Warriors
1995 – Warroad Warriors
1994 – Warroad Warriors

Totals Since 1994:

Warroad Warriors - (12) Section 8A Titles (4) MN State Championships ('94 / '96 / '03 / '05 Undefeated 29-0-2)

East Grand Forks Green Wave - (4) Section 8A Championships

Thief River Falls Prowlers - (1) Section 8A Championships

T.J. Oshie NHL Site:   www.tjoshie.com

Prowlers sneak past Lyon, Bears .. Breakdown Sports USA Thief River Falls' Lansing scores winner in Section 8A semifinal against Lake of the Woods .. Courtesy of Hockey Hub / Breakdown Sports

Prowlers sneak past Lyon, Bears

03/01/2011, 9:12am (CST)

By Tim Kolehmainen, Breakdown Sports USA

Nearly everyone in Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls knew what the hometown Prowlers were facing in the Section 8A semifinal Monday night. And for those who didn’t, fans brought signs reminding them.

“Tame the Lyon.”

 

For two periods, the Lyon – Lake of the Woods senior goaltender Alex Lyon, that is – was running wild. Despite a shot chart loaded with more ink than the Sunday New York Times, the Prowlers were locked in a 1-1 tie with the third-seeded Bears.

 

As the second-seeded Prowlers pounded shot after shot on Lyon, they were greeted with that same message when they returned to the bench.

 

“Tame the Lyon.”

 

As the game aged, the Prowlers’ tension was obvious. After all, Lyon and the Bears had just shut them down 2-1 back on Feb. 1 – a game in which he had 29 saves. For a while, there was a distinct sense of déjà vu Monday night.

 

For Thief River Falls, the plan was simple against arguably the state’s best goaltender.

 

“Shoot, shoot, shoot,” said Prowlers’ coach Tim Bergland. “Traffic, tips and rebounds and all that stuff.”

 

But when Lyon is on his game – as he was Monday night – nothing comes easy.

 

"He’s tough to beat on that first shot, especially when he sees it,” continued Bergland. “(So we had) to get traffic and get in his way. It’s tough to stop the puck when he can’t see it, but he does cover a lot of net.”

 

Finally, with just 5.9 seconds left in the second period, the Prowlers’ Matt Audette corralled the puck in the corner and found defenseman Andrew Lansing streaking down the slot. His one-timer beat Lyon clean and gave the Prowlers a 2-1 lead.

 

Relief flooded through the Prowlers.

 

Audette pumped his fists as if the game were in its final seconds, not with a full period to play. As the horn sounded intermission, the Prowlers swarmed goaltender Jon Narverud. They were just one period away from meeting Warroad in the Section 8A final Thursday night.

MORE: 

http://www.mnhockeyhub.com/news_article/show/80312?referrer_id=147576

And Then There Were 4 .. Warroad / TRF / LOW / EGF Round Out The Final 4 In Section 8A Boy's Hockey .. Section Semi's Will Be Saturday, February 26 .. #1 Warroad vs. #5 East Grand Forks .. Monday, February 28 .. #2 Thief River Falls vs. #3 Lake of the Woods

SECTION 8A | SCORING
Quarterfinals
Friday, February 25, 2011:

#2 Thief River Falls 10, #7 Park Rapids Area 1
#3 Lake of the Woods 4, #6 Red Lake Falls 3


SECTION 8A | SCORING
Quarterfinals
Thursday, February 24, 2011:

#1 Warroad 15, #8 Kittson Central 0
#5 East Grand Forks 3, #4 Crookston 1

The Greatest Time Of The Year .. 2011 Section 8A Boy's Hockey Tournament .. Opening Rounds

SECTION 8A QUARTER-FINAL ROUND ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2011:

# 8 Kittson-Central Bearcats vs. # 1 Warroad Warriors | 6:00 P.M.

# 5 East Grand Forks Green Wave vs. # 4 Crookston Pirates | 8:15 P.M.

SECTION 8A QUARTER-FINAL ROUND ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011:

# 2 (HOST) Thief River Falls Prowlers vs. # 7 Park Rapids Panthers | 6:00 P.M.

# 3 Lake of the Woods Bears vs. # 6 Red Lake Falls Eagles | 8:15 P.M.

The Greatest Time Of The Year .. 2011 Section 8A Boy's Hockey Tournament .. Opening Rounds

PLAY-IN GAME:

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 ( Game At Lower Seed)

# 9 Bagley/Fosston Flyers  @ # 8 - Kittson-Central Bearcats

SECTION 8A QUARTER-FINAL ROUND ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2011:

Winner Bagley / Kittson-Central vs. # 1 Warroad Warriors | 6:00 P.M.

# 5 East Grand Forks Green Wave vs. # 4 Crookston Pirates | 8:15 P.M.

SECTION 8A QUARTER-FINAL ROUND ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011:

# 2 (HOST) Thief River Falls Prowlers vs. # 7 Park Rapids Panthers | 6:00 P.M.

# 3 Lake of the Woods Bears vs. # 6 Red Lake Falls Eagles | 8:15 P.M.

Light Schedule On Tap For Tonight In Section 8A .. Play-offs Right Around The Corner .. Always The Greatest Time Of The Hockey Season .. The Ralph Will Be Rocking Come Next Week

Bemidji at Thief River Falls | 7:30 P.M. | Ralph Engelstad Arena

Blogger: Minnesota H.S. Section 8A Boy's Hockey Site - Publish Status

Blogger: Minnesota H.S. Section 8A Boy's Hockey Site - Publish Status

Tonight In Section 8A Boy's Hockey ... The Race Is On For # 1 Seed As Warroad Hosts LOW / Thief River Falls Hosts EGF .. Detroit Lakes Travels To Park Rapids .. Red Hot RLF Invades Crookston

Tuesday, February 15, 2011:

Detroit Lakes at Park Rapids Area | 7:30 P.M. | Ted Johnson Arena

East Grand Forks at Thief River Falls | 7:30 P.M. | Ralph Engelstad Arena

Lake of the Woods at Warroad | 7:30 P.M. | The Gardens Arena

Red Lake Falls at Crookston | 7:00 P.M. | Crookston Sports Center

Final Scores From This Past Weekend .. Hockey Day Minnesota Was Once Again A Smashing Success .. Mother Nature Actually Played Havoc On Outdoor Games In Moorhead

Saturday, February 12, 2011:

Bemidji 3, Warroad 2 OT

Park Rapids Area 9, Kittson-Central 2

Red Lake Falls 8, Wadena-Deer Creek 2

Friday, February 11, 2011:

Lake of the Woods 0, Crookston 0 TIE

Thursday, February 10, 2011:

Lake of the Woods 3, International Falls 2

Park Rapids Area 7, Bagley/Fosston 4

Boys' hockey: Pirates struggle but come away with the ‘W’ over Panthers .. Courtesy Of Crookston Times

By Derek Martin, Sports Editor

Crookston Daily Times

CROOKSTON, Minn. —

The Pirates didn't play their best against Park Rapids Tuesday evening but still pulled out a victory with a late goal by Seth Heppner in the third period for the 3-2 win. Crookston is now 10-11-2 on the season and, with the win over section rival Park Rapids, 5-4-1 in Section 8A play.

"We didn't play very well," Pirate head coach Jon Bittner said plain and simple.

"Things weren't very crisp. Park worked hard, they never gave up. They were around, around, around all night long. Skill level for one, finishing off for two. We didn't seem inspired or enthusiastic about what we were doing out there. We were playing like it was open hockey. There is a difference in competitive hockey."

With just two games left in the regular season, all the Pirates need to get enthusiastic or their postseason will be short.

"We have to be unselfish," coach Bittner said. "We need to play with a greater purpose. Heppner's line has been on fire. They're playing well, getting scoring opportunities. Dylan Klatt had a great game, Seth's been scoring and Reggie has been putting puck in the net too."

MORE:

http://www.crookstontimes.com/sports/x639356626/Boys-hockey-Pirates-struggle-but-come-away-with-the-W-over-Panthers

Warriors pull past Knights Grand Forks Central’s Big Three was whittled down to the Big One on Tuesday night at Purpur Arena. Warroad exposed the depleted Knights as Nick Stoskopf and David Nelson each had a goal and an assist to lead the Warriors to a 4-1 nonconference victory in Central’s final home game of the season.

Courtesy of Grand Forks Herald:

By:  Tom Miller

Grand Forks Central’s Big Three was whittled down to the Big One on Tuesday night at Purpur Arena.

Warroad exposed the depleted Knights as Nick Stoskopf and David Nelson each had a goal and an assist to lead the Warriors to a 4-1 nonconference victory in Central’s final home game of the season.

Central was without two of its top three goal scorers. Senior Jordy Aamot, who has seven goals and a team-high 27 assists, missed his fourth straight game and his return is day-to-day. Sophomore Luke Johnson, who has 14 goals and 22 assists, also didn’t play with an injury and, he too, is day-to-day.

The Knights, who dropped to 10-7-3 overall, expect Aamot and Johnson back for the postseason. Central wraps up the regular season Thursday on the road against Fargo South-Shanley.

“We’re going to need all 20 of our guys to contribute this time of year,” Central coach Tony Bina said. “I thought guys stepped up tonight in roles they aren’t always used to.”

MORE: http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/192883/

Warroad / TRF / EGF / Crookston All Garner Victories On Tuesday, February 8, 2011 In Section 8A Hockey

Tuesday, February 8, 2011 SCOREBOARD:

Warroad 4, Grand Forks Central (ND) 1

Warroad Scoring Recap: Nick Stoskopf 1G+1A; David Nelson 1 SHG+1A; Austin Streiff 1PPG; Brandon Pearson 1G; Andy Foster 25 SavesThief River Falls 1, Roseau 0

TRF's Scoring Recap: Micah Ranum 1G; Jon Narverud 23 Save Shut-Out

Northern Lakes 4, Red Lake Falls 4 (TIE)

Red Lake Falls Scoring: Garrett Schmitz 2G+1A; Dylan Zutz 1G; Jacob Ness 1G; Cole Larson 26 Saves

East Grand Forks 14, Kittson-Central 0

Detroit Lakes 10, Bagley/Fosston 0

Crookston 3, Park Rapids Area 2

The Quest For Section Seedings Continue Tonight In Section 8A ... Eight Of 8A Teams Face-Off Tonight .. Every Game Now Counts

Warroad at Grand Forks Central | 7:30 PM | Cliff "Fido" Purpur Arena
Northern Lakes at Red Lake Falls | 7:00 PM | Cardin-Hunt Arena
Roseau at Thief River Falls | 7:30 PM | Ralph Engelstad Arena
Bagley/Fosston at Detroit Lakes | 7:00 PM | Freeman Sports Arena
Park Rapids Area at Crookston | 7:30 PM | Crookston Sports Center
Kittson-Central at East Grand Forks | 7:30 PM | EGF Civic Center

Final Scores In Exciting Section 8A Action On Saturday, February 5, 2011

Saturday, February 5, 2011:

Warroad 6, East Grand Forks 1
First period — 1. W, Brandon Pearson (David Nelson) 15:08
Second period — 2. W, Casey Anderson (Eric Miller, Austin Streiff) 2:38; 3. W, Nelson (Streiff, Carson Gray) 7:44; 4. W, Gray (Nick Stoskopf, Streiff) 12:17
Third period — 5. W, Streiff (Miller, Gray) 3:03; 6. EGF, Tyler Hajicek (Tucker Poolman) 12:23; 7. W, Tyler Elson (Tom Astrup) 14:09
Goalie saves — W: Andy Foster 6-8-5—19 ; EGF: Hunter Aubol 14-13-0—27 Beau Scheving 0-0-10—10

Bagley / Fosston 3, Wahpeton (ND) 3 TIE
First period — 1. KCC, Dalton Klegstad (Casey Lindegard) 3:59; 2. KCC, Nick Kasprowicz (Markas Dahl, Lindegard) 8:01; 3. KCC, Tyler Cosley (Dahl) 15:36
Second period — 4. KCC, Dahl (Devin Schuler, JP Mortensen) 5:22; 5. LJG, Garth Fetsch (Grant Ellingson, Connor Braaten) 9:05; 6. LJG, Fetsch (Caleb Veer) 9:46; 7. KCC, Chadd Nordine 13:59; 8. KCC, Klegstad (Dahl, Schuler) 16:39
Third period — 9. KCC, Nordine (Kasprowicz, Zach Gatheridge) 7:15; 10. KCC, Schuler (Cosley) 9:21; 11. LJG, Nic Roy (Colin Olson) 10:32
Goalie saves — KCC: Jackson Kline 6-8-7—21; L: Brady Crockett 10-10-9—29

Lake of the Woods 3, Silver Bay / Cook County 0

Kittson-Central 8, Langdon (ND) Jr. A Gold 3

Park Rapids Area 6, Greenway 1

Thief River Falls 4, Red Lake Falls 1
First period — 1. RLF, Garrett Schmitz 3:34; 2. TRF, Evan Ose (Riley Soderstom) 15:13
Second period — 3. TRF, Beezer Skime (Chris Forney, Matt Audette) 10:06
Third period — 4. TRF Brady Meunier (Audette, Micah Ranum) 12:55; 5. TRF, Soderstrom (Meunier, Drew Erickson) 14:46
Goalie saves — RLF: Cole Larson 10-12-10—32; TRF: Josh Koop 7-6-4—17