TRF Knocks Off Bemidji In Barnburner..Park Rapids Defeats Wadena..Apple Valley Upends EGF.. Plus More Stadstad Hockey Classic Results

Thursday, December 17, 2009
At Purpur Arena / Ralph Engelstad Arena
Grand Forks, ND

Apple Valley 6, EGF 1
Grand Forks Central(ND) 7, Bismarck Century 1
Grand Forks Red River(ND) 4, Roseau 4
(GFRR Wins In Shoot-Out/Game Officially A Tie)
Grafton-Park River(ND) 4, Bismarck High(ND) 1

Other Section 8A Action

Thief River Falls 3, Bemidji 2
Park Rapids 5, Wadena-Deer Creek 1

Grand Forks Herald Jason Stadstad Hockey Classic ‘A great thing we’re doing in his honor’ .. Courtesy of GF Herald

Grand Forks Central High School hockey players know of Jason Stadstad’s kindness and his love of hockey.

Now, they look forward to playing in the tournament named in his honor.

The Herald Jason Stadstad Hockey Classic runs today through Saturday at Purpur and Ralph Engelstad arenas.

Stadstad, a former Central hockey player, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2003. The teenager fought back with relentless optimism, bringing a message of hope and courage that caught the community’s attention. Stadstad was 19 when he died in December 2006 after battling the disease for more than three years.

“The tournament is a great thing we’re doing in his honor,” said Stadstad’s cousin, Aaron Hatt, 16, a junior and hockey player at Central. “It brings back a lot of good memories. We lived three houses down from them. And there was ice between our houses. All four of us (Jason and his brothers, Jared and Justin) usually played together.”

Jared and Justin Stadstad both have played hockey for Central, coach Tony Bina said. Justin, 15, is on the junior varsity team, and Jared, 19, graduated last year.

Bina, who started coaching Central about four years ago, said Jason Stadstad was a typical “Central Knight.”

“He was definitely a leader in the community and for our team,” Bina said.

Stadstad’s presence is a constant for those who play. Hanging high above the ice in Purpur is a Knight jersey bearing the No. 19, Jason’s jersey number.

“We think about him a lot,” Bina said. “We’re excited to represent Central and play in the Stadstad tournament.”

Justin Stadstad said Jason’s passion was hockey, so it’s good that he’s remembered through events like the tournament.

“No one will ever forget about him,” he said. “It’s so hard to describe. It’s so nice to have a tournament in my brother’s name — a memory of him. I don’t even know how to explain it.”

Craig Jones, 17, also a junior and hockey player, said he went to school with Jason Stadstad when they were children, though Stadstad was a few years older.

Playing in the tournament “means a lot” to him, Jones said. “It’s nice that the tournament is named after him, to show respect for him,” he added. “He was an all-around nice guy, who was always nice to me.”

A small white sticker, of a cross with the initials “JLS” and the number “19” adorn some of the team’s helmets.

“I made them in graphic arts class,” Hatt said. “I’ve made three so far, but people see them and they want to have one, too.”

Hatt said he believes Jason will be watching over the team as they play.

“Hopefully, we’ll have a little extra help from him,” he said with a smile. “Hopefully, we can win it for him.”

Today In Section 8A Hockey: The Grand Forks Herald / Jason Stadstad Classic & Ralph Engelstad Arena; Bemidji @ TRF; Wadena TravelsTo Park Rapids

GF Herald/Stadstad Classic | Purpur Arena & Engelstad Arena

Apple Valley (3AA) vs. East Grand Forks (8A), 1PM | Purpur Arena
Bismarck Century (ND) vs. Grand Forks Central (ND), 3:15PM | Purpur Arena
Grand Forks Red River (ND) vs. Roseau (8AA), 6:15PM | Engelstad Arena
Bismarck High (ND) vs. Grafton-Park River (ND), 8:30PM | Engelstad Arena

Bemidji (8AA) at Thief River Falls (8A), 7:30PM | Ralph Engelstad Arena
Wadena-Deer Creek (6A) at Park Rapids Area (8A), 7:30PM | Park Rapids Community Center

Section 8A Final Scores On Tuesday, December 15, 2009..DL Stops Park Rapids in OT..Warroad Doubles Up Bemidji..Kittson Defeats RLF..I Falls Blanks LOW

Detroit Lakes 5, Park Rapids Area 4 OT

DL: Tanner Lane (11, 12, 13) Hat Trick | Tanner had the GWG at 4:53 into overtime
DL: Alex Phelps (4) 1g, 3a, Alex Mason (1)
DL: Andrew Friesen 34 Saves | Win
PR: Tucker Coborn (6, 7, 8) Hat Trick, Sam Coborn (8)
PR: Scott Smith 24 Saves | Loss

International Falls 4, Lake of the Woods 0

IF: Willie Corrin (2), Jordan Christianson (7), Jon McDonald (3), Ryan Tomevi (2)
IF: Mike Hart 19 Saves | Shutout Win
LOW: Alex Lyon 40 Saves

Kittson County Central 7, Red Lake Falls 4

KCC: Craig Lindegard (9, 10, 11) Hat Trick, 1a
KCC: Markas Dahl (1) 1g, 3a, Gabe Montoya (3) 1g, 3a, Jeff Bergh (1) 1g, 1a
KCC: Donovan Kasprowicz (1)
KCC: Alex Chaput 32 Saves | Win
RLF: Garrett Schmitz (5, 6) 2g, 1a, Dylan Zutz (3) 1g, 2a, Andrew Jahnke (2) 1g, 1a
RLF: Zach Page 21 Saves | Loss

Warroad 6, Bemidji 3

W: Brock Nelson (10, 11) 2g, 1a, Carson Gray (1, 2), Nick Stoskopf (4) 1g, 1a
W: Aaron Rasmusson (1)
W: Shawn Storey 18 Saves | Win
B: Mike Rees (3), Steven Heller (4), Jesse Nemgar (5)
B: Jeremiah Graves 26 Saves | Loss

Section 8A Games On Tuesday, December 15, 2009 .. Park Rapids Hosts DL .. LOW Travels East On 11 To "The Falls" .. RLF @ Kittson .. Warroad @ Bemidji

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Detroit Lakes at Park Rapids Area, 7:30PM | Park Rapids Comm Center
Lake of the Woods at International Falls, 7:30PM | Bronco Arena
Red Lake Falls at Kittson County Central, 7PM | Hallock Arena
Warroad at Bemidji, 7:30PM | BSU – John Glas Fieldhouse

EGF / Kittson / TRF / Park Rapids Earn Victories .. Warroad Falls To Grand Rapids .. Bagley Gets Nipped By Wahpeton, ND

East Grand Forks 4, Lake of the Woods 3

EGF: Jake Useldinger (6, 7) 2g, 1a, Cory Mack (5) 1g, 2a, Casey Ristau (1) 1g, 1a
EGF: Hunter Aubol 18 Saves | Win
LOW: Chad Reed (1) 1shg, 1a, Wade Holen (8) 1g, 1a, Brayden Bonhomme (4)
LOW: Alex Lyon 37 Saves | Loss
Note: East Grand Forks outscored LOW 2-0 in the third period. Casey Ristau scored the game-winner with 9:01 left.

Grand Rapids 5, Warroad 4

GR: Dustin Schulte (2) 1g, 1a | Schulte scored the GWG w/ 3:00 left in the game
GR: AJ Merritt (1) 1g, 3a, Travis Underwood (4) 1g, 1a, Patrick Moore (4) 1g, 1a
GR: Jordan Stejskal (1)
GR: Dom DeGuiseppi ?? Saves | Win
W: Brock Nelson (8, 9) 2g, 1a, Aaron Storey (1) 1g, 1a, Joey Olson (1)
W: Shawn Storey ?? Saves | Loss

Kittson County Central 3, Wadena-Deer Creek 1

KCC: Craig Lindegard (8) 1g, 2a, Nathan Younggren (1), Gabe Montoya (2)
KCC: Alex Chaput 15 Saves | Win
WDC: Logan Meyer (1)
WDC: Tyler Muehler 30 Saves | Loss

Thief River Falls 4, St. Paul Johnson 1

TRF: Micah Ranum (6, 7), Mathew Lindquist (6) sh, Brady Johnson (2)
TRF: Zane Gothberg 13 Saves | Win
SPJ: Cory Ellis (2)
SPJ: Travis Kurth 14 Saves | Loss
Note: Powerplays: Thief River Falls 2 for 5; St. Paul Johnson 1 for 5

Blake School 6, Crookston 1

B: Kasey Boyd (4, 5, 6, 7) 4 goals, Spencer Chute (1), Charlie Velie (2)
B: George Ordway 3a, Ford Traff 3a
B: Hayes 28 Saves | Win
C: Zach Mercil (1)
C: Nick Biermaier 28 Saves | Loss

Wahpeton (ND) 4, Bagley/Fosston 3

Park Rapids Area 6, St. Paul Saints 2

Section 8A Boy's Hockey Site: A DREAM .. A PILLOW .. AND A STANLEY CUP .. Minnesota Hockey Camps Founder Chuck Grillo .. Pittsburgh Penguins Let Chuck Grillo Achieve His Goal

Section 8A Boy's Hockey Site: A DREAM .. A PILLOW .. AND A STANLEY CUP .. Minnesota Hockey Camps Founder Chuck Grillo .. Pittsburgh Penguins Let Chuck Grillo Achieve His Goal

Park Rapids / Crookston / TRF Continue Trek In Cities .. Warroad Hosts Grand Rapids .. EGF Travels Up MN 11 To Baudette .. KC @ Wadena Deer Creek

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Grand Rapids (7AA) at Warroad (8A), 2:30PM | The Gardens Arena
Crookston (8A) at Blake School (2A), 3PM | Blake Ice Arena
East Grand Forks (8A) at LOW (8A), 3PM | Baudette Arena
Park Rapids(8A) at St. Paul Saints (4AA), 2PM | MN State Fair
Kittson Central (8A) at Wadena-D.C. (6A), 2PM | Wadena Comm Center
Thief River Falls (8A) at St. Paul Johnson (4A), 3PM | Phalen Arena

Big Night In Section 8A .. TRF / Warroad / Red Lake Falls / LOW Garner Wins .. Crookston - St. Paul Johnson Skate To 0-0 Tie

Thief River Falls 4, Blake School 1

TRF: Mathew Lindquist (4, 5), Micah Ranum (5), 1a, Brady Meunier (1)
TRF: Ryan Crosson 2a, Jacob Malwitz 2a
TRF: Zane Gothberg 26 Saves | Win
B: Ford Traff (3)
B: Ryan Hayes 27 Saves | Loss

Warroad 5, Hibbing / Chisholm 3

W: Brock Nelson (6, 7), 1a, Brett Hebel (8, 9) |1sh|, 1a, Brandon Pearson (1)
W: Shawn Storey ?? Saves | Win
HC: Nick DeCenzo (2, 3), Marcus Bugliosi (1)
HC: Goaltender Unknown ?? Saves | Loss

Crookston 0, St. Paul Johnson 0 OT-TIE

C: Nick Biermaier 19 Saves | Tie
SPJ: Brandon Hoffman 28 Saves | Tie

Red Lake Falls 7, Wahpeton (ND) 3

Lake of the Woods 5, Proctor 4

Walker-Hackensack-Akeley at Ely/T-S/B-E | NO REPORT

Tonight .. In Section 8A Action .. Crox / TRF Travel To MSP .. Warroad / LOW / RLF Host .. Walker Heads To Range

Friday, December 10, 2009:

Crookston (8A) at St. Paul Johnson (4A), 7:30PM | Phalen Arena
Hibbing/Chisholm (7A) at Warroad (8A), 7:30PM | The Gardens Arena
Park Rapids Area (8A) at St. Paul Como Park (4AA), 8PM | MN State Fair Coliseum
Proctor (5A) at Lake of the Woods (8A), 7:30PM | Baudette Arena
Thief River Falls (8A) at Blake School (2A), 7:30PM | Blake School Ice Arena
Wahpeton (ND) at Red Lake Falls (8A), 7PM | Cardin-Hunt Arena
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley (8A) at Ely/T-S/B-E (7A), 7:30PM | Ely Ice Arena

Roseau Blows Out EGF .. Knochenmus Nets Back-to-Back Hat Tricks .. EGF's Cory Mack Scores Twice To Pace Green Wave

Roseau 12, East Grand Forks 2

R: Adam Knochenmus (6, 7, 8) Hat Trick, 2a, Cole Kostrzewski (4, 5) 2g, 2a
R: Kevin Erickson (2, 3) 2g, 1a, Josh Erickson (1) 1g, 3a
R: Travis Connell (1) 1g, 1a, Lyle Norman (1) 1g, 1a
R: Ryan Leverington (1), Chase Broten (2), Shane Omdahl 4a
R: Ethan Kvidt 20 Saves | Win
EGF: Cory Mack (3, 4), Jake Useldinger 2a, Brandon Peabody 2a
EGF: Shane Wasylow 13 Saves on 20 shots | Loss
EGF: Beau Scheving 19 Saves on 24 shots
Note: Knochenmus scores his 2nd hat trick in back-to-back games. The Rams can pretty much score at will but they do give up quite a few goals. That might be an issue when they face a team like Moorhead next week who are more focused on defense.

Quiet Schedule Tonight In Section 8A .. EGF Green Wave Travel North To Clash Against The Roseau Rams At The Legendary Memorial Arena

East Grand Forks (8A) at Roseau (8AA), 7:30PM | Roseau Memorial Arena

A DREAM .. A PILLOW .. AND A STANLEY CUP .. Minnesota Hockey Camps Founder Chuck Grillo .. Pittsburgh Penguins Let Chuck Grillo Achieve His Goal

Chuck "Gringo" Grillo's Blog

Monday, December 7, 2009

A Dream, a Pillow and a Stanley Cup ... Penguins let Chuck Grillo achieve his goal

By: THOR NYSTROM
Sports Writer

Story Courtesy of Minnesota Hockey Camps .. Photo's Courtesy Of Brainerd Dispatch

Chuck Grillo didn't jump from his seat, he didn't high five those sitting around him, he didn't yell. As Grillo watched the arena's clock strike zero - and signify the fulfillment of his life's dream - his mind wandered.He thought of his father, Dominic, who worked in the mines for 42 years and never missed a day of work. The father who worked overtime to buy Chuck his first pair of skates. They cost $19. He thought of the high school teams that he coached in Bemidji and his family (wife, Clairene, their six children and 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild) and everyone who had given him an opportunity over the years.

Clairene is one who has always empowered Chuck to live his life and for that he is eternally grateful.

He thought of his mother Doris, who had recently been put in assisted living. In his mind's eye, Chuck could see her tears. He was crying, too.When the buzzer sounded, he'd finally captured what had evaded him for nearly 70 years.Penguins 2, Red Wings 1. Chuck Grillo was part of a Stanley Cup championship. Grillo, an amateur scout for the Penguins and owner of Minnesota Hockey Camps in Nisswa, has had a singular obsession while working in the NHL for the last three decades.The drive may at times have manifested itself as neurotic, such as the time in the late '80s when he refused to touch or take a picture with the Stanley Cup when Phil Esposito brought it to the New York Rangers training camp. When Esposito asked Grillo why, the scout said he would wait until the team had won it.

Grillo frequently talked with longtime friend Herb Brooks about the Holy Grail and how he was going to stay in the game until he was part of a championship. He always told his wife, Clairene, that he would be a Stanley Cup winner before he turned 70. And so he was. Grillo's 70th birthday is on July 24, 2009."I've been chasing that thing for 30 years," Grillo said. "You dream about it all your life. I've been on the ice since I was three years old. You dream about winning the Cup a lot on the ice outdoors. "And so here is Grillo, sitting in Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. It's June 12; Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. The young Penguins are a prohibitive underdog against the mighty Red Wings."One hundred out of one hundred people working in the game would have picked Detroit in the final game," Grillo said.

He's getting text messages from his young grandchildren Sophia and Monique: "Malkin for President!" one says. Another says: "Talbot shelved that like a librarian, Grandpa!"Pittsburgh held on for a tight - but convincing - 2-1 victory. Grillo, subdued and pensive, responded to each one of the congratulatory text messages in his inbox. Then he got up from his seat and moved downstairs to get on the ice."You see those eight, nine, 10 kids that you played a role in them being drafted, and you look in their eyes, you look at their families, it's special," Grillo said.He went to the locker room. Experienced the mania. It was loud and champagne was flying.

"I wasn't going to have any alcohol or anything like that to ruin the experience," Grillo said. "No champagne or anything like that. I wanted to soak it all in. That's what I did. Around 12:15, Mario Lemieux came in the locker room. He decided to hoist the Cup over his head one more time. One person in the room asked if we could take a picture of him. The next thing you know he is still standing with the Cup taking pictures for 30 or 45 minutes. And his wife is waiting patiently in the hallway with a smile; they have a flight to catch home. He didn't care."Chuck had to bend his imbibing rule slightly when he was passed the Cup. It was large and glistening - and filled with Bud Light. He took two gulps from the trophy he'd spent his life chasing. Sweetest drinks of his life. "There were over 200 people drinking out of the Cup and there wasn't anyone in the room worried about swine flu," Grillo said.

Grillo thinks he will get a championship ring, but he isn't exactly sure how that works. He says he'd trade a ring to have his name engraved on the Cup. Grillo's son Dino tells him that there is room for 52 names on the cup - enough space for the coaching staff, front office and scouts."I'd like to believe that I've done enough to earn that. But that's not my decision," Grillo said. Chuck and his family built the Greenhaven outdoor rink in Hibbing in 1954. If he's allowed to have the Cup for a day or two, that's where he's headed with it."Just to sit with it," Grillo said. "There are too many memories there."

Grillo says the life of a scout isn't glamorous. It's not until the exposition that you realize how right he is.He attended 341 hockey games in the past year (a "scouting year" in hockey is from July 1 to June 30). Last year he went to 376 and had a personal-record 42-day scouting trip. Before that, the most games he had ever attended in a season was 311. He got into a playful banter with former Penguins Chief Scout Greg Malone. Grillo announced that he was going to break his own record. And so, at the age of 68, he averaged more than one game scouted a day.In the last year, he has spent 202 nights in hotels. His scouting trips take him around the United States and Canada but also overseas to Finland, Russia, Sweden, Czech Republic and Slovakia and, less occasionally, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Slovenia, Poland and Austria.

Grillo has amassed a ludicrous 1.9 million Marriott points and 1.5 million miles on Northwest Airlines."When I do decide to retire, I'll be traveling free for a while," Grillo says with a laugh.The workdays are long, typically around 16 hours. He is lucky to get two days off a month. And those two days are filled with clerical work, such as typing up reports and making reservations for his next road trip."I wish I had as many brains as I have drive,"

Grillo said.Chuck Grillo was a 40-year-old teacher in Rosemount when he sent handwritten letters to six NHL general managers detailing his interest in a professional scouting career. He got two responses.Lou Nanne of the North Stars wrote to say thank you, but Grillo just didn't have enough experience. But Craig Patrick of the Rangers called. He wanted Grillo to come to New York.Grillo, a teacher of 14 years, met with the school board later and asked for a five-year sabbatical. The board convened and returned with its decision. It was a no and Grillo replied, "You pay me to stand up in front of a room of children and tell them to chase their dreams," Grillo told the board. "If I fail to do that, what kind of coach would I be? You leave me no recourse. I have to do what I've asked kids to do. So I quit."

Grillo would scout for the Rangers for eight years. He moved on to Minnesota, where he served as director of pro scouting from 1988-90 with the North Stars, and then to San Jose, where he moved up to become the executive vice president, director of player personnel for the Sharks from 1995-96. Grillo spent eight years with the Sharks before moving to the Penguins.He has been with the Pittsburgh organization for eight years. It wasn't always easy. Craig Patrick - the man who had started Grillo in the business and subsequently became the Penguins' GM - was relieved of his duties in 2006.

Pittsburgh brought in Ray Shero to lead the show.Shero called Grillo in for a meeting after the 2006 amateur draft in Vancouver. He told the veteran scout that he was free to look around for another job because there were no guarantees that he would be asked back."I will not be looking around," Grillo said pointedly. "I want to be part of this stable for the same reason that you want to be general manager of this stable. Every general manager would love to have your job. You are starting with a stable that has few, if any, equals in the NHL. I want to be part of this stable winning a Cup."That was all Shero had to hear. And it's the reason that Grillo survived the housecleaning and why he is now Pittsburgh's longest tenured scout.

"There's a bit of a guilt feeling for me," Grillo said. "Because I'm the only scout left. I'm the only scout left that was there to draft the last eight or nine guys in the starting lineup. All of the guys that were with me, they all have jobs. They were good. Yet, I am the guy that gets to enjoy the fruits of their labor."

In his time with the Penguins, Grillo has been part of staffs that have drafted Sydney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin, Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury, Ryan Whitney, Maxime Talbot, Kristopher Letang, Tyler Kennedy and Alex Goligoski; amongst many others, including Brainerd High School graduate Carl Sneep.

Dominic Grillo died a year and a half ago. Doris Grillo was moved into assisted living during the latter stages of the NHL playoffs. Her house in Hibbing - the house that Chuck grew up in - was sold. Chuck was with the Penguins and couldn't help with the moving, so he told his son Dino to get his childhood bed and various other household items for the Minnesota Hockey Camps dorms. Otherwise they would be given away.

After the Penguins won the Cup, Chuck began ruminating on his life and his childhood. He called his mom in a panic."Mom I made a mistake. I got the bed but I didn't get the pillow.

"The pillow was heavy and uncomfortable and stained from years of use. But it was on this pillow that Chuck Grillo dreamed of winning the Cup when he was a boy."

I would tell every kid: Make sure you keep that pillow you dreamed on," Grillo said.

"Because someday, somewhere, you are going to realize that dream, and it's going to be good to have that pillow. I'd encourage every parent to encourage their kids to think big, dream big. Because when that happens, they can realize theirs."

UPDATED: 12-9-09..Kittson's Lindegard 4-Bagger (Natural In 1st)+1A..Warroad's Nelson Trick+3A / Hebel 2+3..Panthers McMorrow 2G+1A..RLF Sanburg 1G+2A

Kittson County Central 5, Crookston 4
KCC: Craig Lindegard (4, 5, 6, 7) 4 goals, 1a, Gabe Montoya (1)
KCC: Alex Chaput 25 Saves | Win
C: Morgan Terpstra (3, 4), Nick Regeimbal (2), Seth Heppner (1)
C: Nick Biermeier 11 Saves | Loss
Note: Craig Lindgard scored the only three goals in the 1st period for a PURE hat trick.

First period — 1. KCC, Craig Lindegard 3:54; 2. KCC, Lindegard (Markas Dahl) 12:02; 3. KCC, Lindegard (Dahl) 14:11
Second period — 4. C, Morgan Terpstra (alex Edevold) 7:04; 5. C, Nick Regeimbal (Mark Bittner) 10:11; 6. C, Terpstra 11:22; 7. KCC, Lindegard (Jeff Berg, Brady Diamond) 13:44; 8. KCC, Gabe Montoya (Lindegard, Bergh) 14:59; 9. C, Seth Heppner (Austin Proulx, Bittner) 16:07
Goalie saves — KCC: Alex Chaput 7-10-7—24; C: Nick Biermaier 7-3-2—12

Northern Lakes 10, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 1
NL: Sam Johnson (1, 2, 3) Hat Trick, 1, Cody Chambers (1, 2) 2g, 3a
NL: Connor Chambers (1, 2), Collin Burke (1) 1g, 2a, Chris Smieja (3) 1g, 2a
NL: Brady Roy (1)
NL: Tyler Carraway 9 Saves | Win
WHA: Benson Ringle (2)
WHA: Evan Wislon 44 Saves | Loss

Red Lake Falls 6, Bagley/Fosston 1
RLF: Channing Sanburg (1) 1g, 2a, Alex Derosier (1) 1g, 1a, Cody Hanson (1)
RLF: Dylan Zutz (1), Garrett Schmitz (2), Andrew Jahnke (1)
RLF: Zach Page 15 Saves | Win
B/F: Dillon Spray (7)
B/F: Gavin Ross 51 Saves | Loss

First period — 1. RLF, Alex Derosier (Robbie Glas) 10:20; 2. RLF, Cody Hanson (Dave Johnston, Channing Sanburg) 11:09; 3.
RLF, Sanburg (Johnston, Hanson) 14:36 Second period — 4. RLF, Dylan Zutz (Glas) 6:58; 5. BF, Dillon Spray, 8:12; 6. RLF, Garrett Schmitz (Sandburg) 14:14; 7. RLF, Andrew Jahnke (Kyle Larson, Derosier) 15:37Goalie saves — RLF: Zach Page 2-3-10—15; BF: Gavin Ross 14-17-20—51

Warroad 8, Lake of the Woods 0
W: Brock Nelson (3, 4, 5) Hat Trick, 3a, Brett Hebel (6, 7) 2g, 3a, Eric Hebel (1)
W: Shawn Storey ?? Saves | Win
LOW: Alex Lyon ?? Saves | Loss

First period — 1. Brett Hebel (Brock Nelson, Nick Stoskots) 7:43
Second period — 2. B. Nelson (B. Hebel) 4:25; 3. B. Hebel (B. Nelson, Hayden Timm) 11:44; 4. Stoskots (B. Hebel, Aaron Storey) 15:25; 5. B. Nelson (B. Hebel, Joey Olson) 15:44
Third period — 6. David Nelson (Dylan Fowler) 3:15; 7. B. Nelson (B. Hebel, Olson) 4:07; 8. Eric Hebel 13:08Goalie saves — W: Shawn Storey 2-5-1 — 8; LOW: Alex Lyon 20-17-8 — 45

Park Rapids Area 6, Greenway 2
PR: Kevin McMorrow (1, 2) 2g, 1a, Ian Johnson (3) 1g, 2a, Sam Coborn (6) 1g, 1a
PR: Levi Erickson (3), Jared Naeve (1)
PR: Scott Smith 10 Saves | Win
G: Nick Adams (1), Neal Sullivan (1)
G: Erikur Arnason 30 Saves | Loss

Section 8A Boy's Hockey: A Preview To The 2010 Season .. Facts & Figures To The Pride Of NW Minnesota Hockey

Warroad Warriors
#1 Scorer: Brock Nelson
#2 Scorer: Brett Hebel
#3 Scorer: Carson Gray
Goaltender: Shawn Storey

Park Rapids Panthers
#1 Scorer: Tucker Coborn
#2 Scorer: Sam Coborn
#3 Scorer: Kevin McMorrow
Goaltender: Ryan O'Mara

Thief River Falls Prowlers
#1 Scorer: Matt Lindquist
#2 Scorer: Jacob Malwitz
#3 Scorer: Matt Audette
Goaltender: Zane Gothberg

East Grand Forks Green Wave
#1 Scorer: Jake Useldinger
#2 Scorer: Casey Ristau
#3 Scorer: Cory Mack
Goaltender: Shane Wasylow

Crookston Pirates
#1 Scorer: Alex Edevold
#2 Scorer: Morgan Terpstra
#3 Scorer: Zach Mercil
Goaltender: Nick Biermaier

Red Lake Falls Eagles
#1 Scorer: Garrett Schmidt
#2 Scorer: Robbie Glass
#3 Scorer: Andrew Jahnke
Goaltender: Zach Page

Lake of the Woods Bears
#1 Scorer: Joncarlo Westerlund
#2 Scorer: Shae Pepera
#3 Scorer: Travis Mollberg
Goaltender: Ryan O'Mara

Kittson Central Bearcats
#1 Scorer: Craig Lindegard
#2 Scorer: Jeff Bergh
#3 Scorer: Gabe Montoya
Goaltender: Alex Chaput

Bagley/Fosston Flyers
#1 Scorer: Dillon Spray
#2 Scorer: Nelson Papke
#3 Scorer: Tal Iverson
Goaltender: Gavin Ross

Walker-H-A Wolves
#1 Scorer: Benson Ringle
#2 Scorer: Zack Strandlie
#3 Scorer: Keaton Pederson
Goaltender: Micah Bank

Section 8A Ranking / Facts & Figures

1. Warroad Warriors
2008-2009 Record: 28-3-0
2008-2009 Finish: 2nd place finish in the Class A State Tournament

Returning Forwards: 8
Returning Defense: 4
Returning Goaltending: No

Forwards:
Brock Nelson (12) - 45 goals | 31 games
Brett Hebel (12) - 22 goals | 31 games
Aaron Rasmusson (12) - 5 goals | 31 games
Adam Shaugabay (12) - 3 goals | 27 games
Aaron Storey (12) - 1 goal | 31 games
David Nelson (11) - 1 goal | 24 games
Dylan Fowler (11) - 0 goals | 24 games
Kaleb Kezar (12) - 0 goals | 17 games

Defensemen:
Carson Gray (11) - 6 goals | 31 games
Nick Stoskopf (11) - 3 goals | 29 games
Joey Olson (11) - 1 goal | 30 games
Brandon Pearson (11) - 0 goals | 27 games

Goaltenders:
To be determined | Jason Goldsmith graduated

2. Park Rapids Area Panthers
2008-2009 Record: 15-8-3
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Thief River Falls, 5-2, in the Section 8A quarterfinals

Returning Forwards: 7
Returning Defense: 6
Returning Goaltending: Yes | Ryan O'Mara

Forwards:
Tucker Coborn (12) - 27 goals | 26 games
Sam Coborn (10) - 15 goals | 26 games
Kyle Kanten (11) - 7 goals | 26 games
Levi Erickson (10) - 4 goals | 24 games
Jeff Sharp (12) - 3 goals | 26 games
Ian Johnson (9) - 3 goals | 25 games
AJ May (12) - 2 goals | 21 games

Defensemen:
Kevin McMorrow (12) - 13 goals | 26 games
Ben Sitz (12) - 3 goals | 25 games
Jared Naeve (12) - 3 goals | 26 games
Dan Rickie (12) - 2 goals | 26 games
Frank Moren (9) - 0 goals | 15 games
Steve Smith (12) - 0 goals | 26 games

Goaltenders:
Ryan O'Mara (12) | 3-0-2, 2.63 GAA, .891 Save %

3. Thief River Falls Prowlers
2008-2009 Record: 21-5-2
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Warroad, 3-2, in the Section 8A Championship

Returning Forwards: 5
Returning Defense: 5
Returning Goaltending: Yes | Zane Gothberg

Forwards:
Matt Lindquist (12) - 16 goals | 27 games
Brady Johnson (12) - 3 goals | 28 games
Brady Meunier (11) - 1 goal | 28 games
Dusty Myklebust (12) - 1 goal | 22 games
Brendan Skime (11) - 0 goals | 16 games

Defensemen:
Jacob Malwitz (12) - 4 goals | 28 games
Matt Audette (11) - 2 goals | 28 games
Derek Kayser (11) - 1 goal | 28 games
Andrew Lansing (10) - 0 goals | 28 games
Drew Erickson (11) - 0 goals | 28 games

Goaltenders:
Zane Gothberg (12) | 18-4-2, 1.49 GAA, .937 Save %

4. East Grand Forks Green Wave
2008-2009 Record: 9-16-1
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Crookston, 4-3, in the Section 8A quarterfinals

Returning Forwards: 8
Returning Defense: 4
Returning Goaltending: No

Forwards:
Jake Useldinger (12) - 26 goals | 26 games
Casey Ristau (12) - 8 goals | 26 games
Cory Mack (10) - 6 goals | 25 games
Christian Parker (11) - 3 goals | 26 games
Tucker Poolman (12) - 3 goals | 26 games
Jake Greenwood (12) - 1 goal | 23 games
Jeremy Wikoff (11) - 0 goals | 21 games

Defensemen:
Brandon Peabody (12) - 1 goal | 18 games
Blake Christiansen (11) - 1 goal | 26 games
Josh Peterson (12) - 0 goals | 19 games
Troy Tretter (12) - 0 goals | 25 games

Goaltenders:
To be determined | Kyle Storbakken graduated

5. Crookston Pirates
2008-2009 Record: 12-13-0
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Warroad, 9-1, in the Section 8A semifinals

Returning Forwards: 5
Returning Defense: 6
Returning Goaltending: No

Forwards:
Alex Edevold (12) - 6 goals | 25 games
Morgan Terpstra (12) - 6 goals | 24 games
Zach Mercil (12) - 3 goals | 24 games
Seth Heppner (11) - 2 goals | 25 games
Michael Alwender (12) - 2 goals | 16 games

Defensemen:
Nick Regembal (11) - 3 goals | 21 games
Alex Prudhomme (12) - 1 goal | 25 games
Austin Proulx (11) - 1 goal | 25 games
Mark Bittner (11) - 0 goals | 23 games
Derek Henre (12) - 0 goals | 25 games
Alex Stoe (12) - 0 goals | 15 games

Goaltenders: Nick Biermaier

6. Red Lake Falls Eagles
2008-2009 Record: 12-12-1
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Kittson Co Central, 5-4, in the Section 8A first round

Returning Forwards: 7
Returning Defense: 3
Returning Goaltending: Yes | Zach Page

Forwards:
Dylan Zutz (10) - 11 goals | 25 games
Andrew Jahnke (11) - 10 goals | 25 games
Alex Derosier (12) - 7 goals | 25 games
Channing Sandberg (12) - 6 goals | 25 games
Cody Hanson (12) - 5 goals | 25 games
Robbie Glass (11) - 2 goals | 25 games
Casey Mercil (10) - 1 goal | 10 games

Defensemen:
Kyle Larson (12) - 3 goals | 25 games
Brady Barbot (12) - 1 goal | 24 games
David Johnston (12) - 0 goals | 24 games

Goaltenders:
Zach Page (12) | 10-10-1, 3.06 GAA, .882 Save %
Cole Larson (11) | 2-1-0, 3.08 GAA, .880 Save %

7. Lake of the Woods Bears
2008-2009 Record: 12-14-1
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Bemidji, 3-2, in the Section 8A quarterfinals

Returning Forwards: 9
Returning Defense: 3
Returning Goaltending: Yes | Alex Lyon

Forwards:
Joncarlo Westerlund (12) - 9 goals | 27 games
Shae Pepera (12) - 6 goals | 27 games
Travis Mollberg (11) - 2 goals | 27 games
Braeden Beller (12) - 1 goal | 27 games
Kyle Poolman (11) - 1 goal | 27 games
Ian Sugden (11) - 0 goals | 27 games
Justin Peters (11) - 0 goals | 27 games
Wade Holen (11) - 0 goals | 27 games
Kyle Noble (11) - 0 goals | 26 games

Defensemen:
Chad Reed (12) - 0 goals | 27 games
Adam Nelson (12) - 0 goals | 27 games
Jake Pelach (12) - 0 goals | 24 games

Goaltenders:
Alex Lyon (11) | 5-11-1, 3.44 GAA, .909 Save %

8. Kittson County Central Bearcats
2008-2009 Record: 8-17-1
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Warroad, 11-0, in the Section 8A quarterfinals

Returning Forwards: 5
Returning Defense: 6
Returning Goaltending: Yes | Alex Chaput

Forwards:
Jeff Bergh (12) - 6 goals | 26 games
Markas Dahlen (11) - 3 goals | 26 games
Gabe Montoya (12) - 1 goal | 23 games
Donavon Kasprowicz (12) - 0 goals | 26 games
Chadd Nordine (11) - 0 goals | 25 games

Defensemen:
Craig Lindegard (12) - 27 goals | 26 games
Brady Diamond (12) - 2 goals | 25 games
Tyler Hultgren (12) - 2 goals | 26 games
Casey Lindegard (10) - 0 goals | 26 games
Nathan Younggren (12) - 0 goals | 26 games
Austin Cosley (11) - 0 goals | 22 games

Goaltenders:
Alex Chaput (12) | 3-10-1, 5.24 GAA, .854 Save %

9. Bagley/Fosston Flyers
2008-2009 Record: 1-19-0
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Lake of the Woods, 9-0, in the Section 8A first round

Returning Forwards: 11
Returning Defense: 4
Returning Goaltending: Yes | Gavin Ross

Forwards:
Nelson Papke (12)
Tal Iverson (11)
Cole Young (11)
Zach Thoma (9)
Kael Fontaine (9)
Austin Lafriniere (12)
Aaron Leintz (9)
Brenton Bergh (10)
Cole Gubrud (10)
Torrey Swenson (9)
Chris Clark (9)

Defensemen:
Dillon Spray (12)
Cameron Cardinal (10)
Brady Anderson (9)
Jesse Dukek (9)

Goaltenders:
Gavin Ross (12)

10. Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Wolves
2008-2009 Record: 2-19-0
2008-2009 Finish: Lost to Park Rapids, 8-2, in the Section 8A first round

Returning Forwards: 8
Returning Defense: 2
Returning Goaltending: Yes | Micah Bank

Forwards:
Benson Ringle (10)
Zack Strandlie (11)
Keaton Pederson (12)
Jarid Paulson (11)
Cody Bixby (12)
Cullen Navratil (11)
Dillon Loren (12)
Nick Volby (??)

Defensemen:
Brandon Renowski (12)
Cole Garoutte (10)

Goaltenders:
Micah Bank (11)
Evan Wilson (11)

This Week In Section 8A .. Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Bagley/Fosston at Red Lake Falls, 7PM | Cardin-Hunt Arena
Greenway at Park Rapids Area, 7:30PM | Park Rapids Comm Ctr
Kittson Central at Crookston, 7:30PM | Crookston Civic Arena
Lake of the Woods at Warroad, 2:15PM | The Gardens Arena
Northern Lakes at Walker-H-A, 7PM | Walker Area Comm Ctr

Section 8A Scores & Recaps From Saturday, December 5, 2009

Brainerd/Pillager/Pierz 6, Crookston 2
BPP: Mason Fussy (1, 2), Matt Pohlkamp (1) 1g, 1a
BPP: Mitchel McLain (2), Michael Rinio (3)
BPP: Jared Stearns ?? Saves | Win
C: Morgan Terpstra (1, 2)
C: Nick Biermaier ?? Saves | Loss

First period — 1. B, Matt Pohlkamp (Josh Archibald, Michael Rinio) 2:22; 2. B, Mitchell McLain (Mason Fussy) 5:40; 3. B, Jordan Posch 6:08; 4. B, Rinio (McLain) 13:54

Second period — 5. C, Morgan Terpstra 3:51; 6. B, Fussy (Pohlkamp) 7:44

Third period — 7. C, Terpstra (Mark Bittner) 5:22; 8. B, Brett Jenkins 15:30

Goalie saves — B: Jared Stearns 3-2-7 — 12; C: Nick Biermaier 10-8-12 — 30

East Grand Forks 8, Park Rapids Area 3
EGF: Jake Useldinger (3, 4) 2g, 2a, Zach Lawdermilt (1, 2) 2g, 2a, Cory Mack (1, 2)
EGF: Tanner Dahlen (1) 1g, 1a, Jake Greenwood (1)
EGF: Shane Wasylow 26 Saves | Win
PR: Tucker Coborn (3, 4) 2g, Sam Coborn (5) 1g
PR: Mark Bravo 34 Saves | Loss

First period — 1. EGF, Zack Lawdermilt (Jake Useldinger) 5:17; 2. EGF, Cory Mack 6:12

Second period — 3. EGF, Useldinger (Lawdermilt) 1:11; 4. EGF, Useldinger (Tanner Dahlen) 2:31; 5. EGF, Jake Greenwood (Tucker Poolman, Jeremy Wikoff) 6:14; 6. EGF, Dahlen (Lawdermilt) 6:25; 7. PR, Sam Coborn 8:15

Third period — 8. EGF, Mack (Brady Halverson) 3:10; 9. PR, Tucker Coborn (Ben Sitz) 12:57; 10. EGF, Lawdermilt (Useldinger) 13:11; 11. PR, Tucker Coborn 15:46

Goalie saves — EGF: Beau Scheving 9-11-5 — 25; PR: Ryan O’Mara 10-13-x — 23, Mark Bravo x-x-11 — 11

Lake of the Woods 12, Ely/Tower-Soudan/Babbitt-Embarrass 1
LOW: Wade Holen (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) 5 goals, Shae Pepera (2, 3, 4, 5) 4 goals, 2 assists
LOW: Brayden Bonhomme (2), Travis Mollberg (4) 1g, 2a, Justin Peters (2) 1g, 1a
LOW: Alex Lyon 17 Saves | Win
ETSBE: Greg Helget (2)
ETSBE: Cody Bialik 43 Saves | Loss

First period — 1. LOW, Justin Peters 14:31; 2. LOW, Wade Holen (Braden Bonhomme, Chad Reed) 10:55; 3. LOW, Holen (Peters, Bonhomme) 5:53; 4. LOW, Travis Mollberg (Shae Pepera, Adam Nelson) 5:00

Second period — 5. LOW, Pepera (Travis Tom) 14:30; 6. LOW, Holen (Peters, Reed) 7:34; 7. E, Greg Helged (Storm Myers, Nich Mathews) 6:07; 8. LOW, Pepera (Tom, Mollberg) 4:34; 9. LOW, Holen (Kyle Poolman) 3:47; 10. LOW, Pepera (Poolman) 2:30

Third period — 11. LOW, Pepera (Mollberg, Reed) 15:45; 12. LOW, Holen (Bonhomme) 14:35; 13. LOW, Bonhomme (Jake Pelach) 5:14

Goalie saves — LOW: Alex Lyon 8-9-2 — 19; E: Cody Bialik 19-11-7 — 37

Thief River Falls 7, Monticello/Annandale/Maple Lake 1
TRF: Micah Ranum (2, 3, 4) Hat Trick, Mathew Lindquist (3) 1g, 2a
TRF: Brady Johnson (1), Ryan Crosson (2) 1g, 1a, Riley Soderstrom (3)
TRF: Zane Gothberg ?? Saves | Win
MAML: Gage Torrel (1)
MAML: Aaron Boros ?? Saves | Loss

First period — 1. TRF, Riley Soderstrom (Brady Meunier, Brady Johnson) 1:02; 2. TRF, Johnson (Meunier) 1:49; 3. TRF, Ryan Crosson 5:59; 4. M, Micah Ranum (Meunier) 10:02; 5. TRF, Ranum (Chris Forney) 13:46

Second period — 6. TRF, Matt Lindquist (Crosson, Matt Audette) 4:12; 7. TRF, Ranum (Audette) 14:06

Third period — 8. TRF, Ranum (Lindquist, Jacob Malwitz) :18

Goalie saves — TRF: Zane Gothberg 5-11-2 — 18; M: Aaron Boros 19-15-10 — 44

Warroad 5, Orono 2
W: Brett Hebel (3, 4, 5) Hat Trick |1sh|, Brock Nelson (2) 1g, 1a, Adam Shaugabay (1)
W: Shawn Storey 15 Saves | Win
O: Ted Yliatlo (1), Ross Luedtke (1)
O: David Crotteau 26 Saves | Loss

Second period — 1. W, Brock Nelson (Nick Stoskpf) 16:32; 2. W, Brett Hebl (Joey Olson) 10:11; 3. W, Hebl (Nelson) 4:54

Third period — 4. O, Ross Luedke 12:35; 5. O, Ted Ylitalo (Kohner Johnson) 7:35; 6. Hebl (Carson Gray, Stoskpf) 3:02; 7. W, Adam Shaugabay (Aaron Rassmusen) 0:20

Goalie saves — O: David Crotteau 26; W: Shawn Storey 15

Warroad Blanks M-W, 5-0; Brainerd Downs EGF, 6-1; Bagley Earns 8-7 OT Win; TRF Over T-C, 6-3; LOW Wins 7-1; GFC Over Crox 7-0; Park Rapids over W-H-A

By: Timothy Oshie, Publisher

Almost two years ago to the day, the communities of Mound - Westonka were anticipating the newest rivalry at the Thayer Sports Center. The stage was set for the White Hawks to clash with the titans from Warroad High.

The White Hawks didn't let the capacity crowd down as they knocked off the most successful Section 8A team of the decade, the Warriors, 3-1.

The rematch was set for tonight.

Warroad extended the series winning streak to two by blanking Mound-Westonka, 5-0, once again in front of a full house.

Warrior's senior, Brett Hebel, notched a four-point performance (2g, 2a) while also picking up the game winner. Goaltender Shawn Storey stopped all 10 White Hawks shots to earn the shut-out. Junior Nick Stoskopf also garnered two goals while North Dakota bound, Brock Nelson, scored a shorthanded goal for the Warriors.

Warroad 5, Mound-Westonka 0
First period — 1. Brett Hebel (Joey Olson, Carson Gray) 11:31
Second period — 2. Nick Stoskopf (Hebel) 7:48; 3. Hebel 14:51
Third period — 4. Brock Nelson 7:27; 5. Stoskopf (Hebel) 14:45
Goalie saves — M: Aaron Davis 10-10-11 — 31; W: Shawn Storey 4-6-8 — 18
W: Brett Hebel (1, 2) 2g, 2a, Nick Stoskopf (1, 2), Brock Nelson (1) sh
W: Shawn Storey 10 Saves | Shutout Win
MW: Aaron Davis 31 saves | Loss

Blaine 5, Roseau 4
B: Nick Bjugstad (1, 2, 3) Hat Trick |1sh|, 1a, Jonny Brodzinski (1) GWG, 2a
B: Brad Benson (1)
B: Dan Harper 28 Saves | Win
R: Kevin Erickson (1) 1g, 1a, Shane Omdahl (4) 1g, 1a
R: Cole Kostrzewski (1), Jesse Braun (1)
R: Ethan Kvidt 33 Saves | Loss
Note: Roseau led this game 4-1 in the 2nd period. Nick Bjugstad scored on a breakaway w/ 2:12 left in the game to tie it. Jonny Brodzinski scored the game-winner with 45 seconds left.

Brainerd/Pillager/Pierz 6, East Grand Forks 1
BPP: Michael Rinio (1, 2), Mitchel McLain (1) 1g, 2a
BPP: Jordan Posch (1) 1g, 1a, Bret Jenkins (1) 1g, 1a, Josh Archibald (1)
BPP: Jared Stearns | ?? Saves | Win
EGF: Jake Useldinger (1)
EGF: Shane Wasylow | ?? Saves | Loss

Bagley/Fosston 8, Ely/Tower-Soudan/Babbitt-Embarrass 7 OT
B/F: Nelson Papke (2) GWG, 1a | Papke scored the GWG w/ at 39 seconds into overtime.
B/F: Dillon Spray (4, 5, 6) Hat Trick, 1a | Natural HT scored w/ one in 1st, two in the 2nd
B/F: Tal Iverson (2, 3, 4) Hat Trick, Aaron Leintz (1)
B/F: Gavin Ross 44 saves | Win
ETSBE: Storm Myers (1) 1g, 3a
ETSBE: Nick Mathews (1) 1g, 1a, Carter Manning (1) 1g, 1a, Bobby Shusta (1) 1g, 1a
ETSBE: Louis Gerzin (1), Bill Foy (1), Greg Helget (1)
ETSBE: Cody Bialik 38 saves | Loss
Note: In just three games so far this season, Bagley has doubled their number of wins of last year, one, and tied their number of wins from two years ago, two.


Thief River Falls 6, Totino-Grace 3
TRF: Mathew Lindquist (1, 2) 2g, 2a, Micah Ranum (1) 1g, 1a
TRF: Ryan Crosson (1), Brandon Skime (1), Micah Ranum (1)
TRF: Zane Gothberg 19 Saves | Win
T-G: TJ Roo (1), Nick Javorina (1), Danny Heck (1)
T-G: Joe Cullen 28 Saves | Loss

Grand Forks Central (ND) 7, Crookston 0
First period — 1. GFC, David Sayler (Jeremy O’ Keefe) 5:08; 2. GFC, O’Keefe 16:20
Second period — 3. GFC, Casey Purpur (David Nelson) 9:52; 4. Aaron Hatt (Brenden Gust, Purpur) 12:31
Third period — 5. GFC, Purpur (Hatt, Gust) 1:11; 6. Danny Ray (Paul LaDue, Purpur) 3:55; 7. GFC, Gust (Ray, LaDue) 11:38
Goalie saves — GFC: Seth Lang 3-7-2 — 12; C: Nick Biermaier 7-8-9 — 24
GFC: Casey Purpur 2g, 2a, David Sayler 1g, Jeremy O'Keefe 1g, Aaron Hatt 1g
GFC: Danny Ray 1g, Brenden Gust 1g
GFC: Seth Lang 12 Saves | Shutout Win
C: Nick Biermaier 24 Saves | Loss

Lake of the Woods 7, Silver Bay/Cook County 1

Park Rapids Area 16, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley 1

LaDouceur, Fugleberg fuel Roughriders; Grand Forks Red River Outdual EGF Greenwave 7-4; Courtesy of Grand Forks Herald

By: Tom Miller, Grand Forks Herald

For the most part, the Grand Forks Red River boys hockey team is inexperienced.

Forwards Jake LaDouceur and Casey Fugleberg are the exception. It showed Thursday against East Grand Forks Senior High.

The duo combined for nine points and had a hand in five goals as the Roughriders pulled away for a 7-4 victory over the Green Wave at Purpur Arena.

“Those guys work so well together,” Red River coach Bill Chase said. “When they get things going, they’re fun to watch. It’s early in the season, but the chemistry is already starting to develop. They already understand where the other is going to be.”

LaDouceur, a senior who led the state in scoring a year ago, had two goals and three assists. Fugleberg, a sophomore who had 13 goals for Red River’s state championship team last season, added two goals and two assists.

“We have a young team … just five seniors,” LaDouceur said. “But guys are going to have to step up into roles. We can’t have guys playing like it’s their first year. They have to play like it’s their second or third year. When that happens, we’ll start clicking.”

The Riders were clicking early with three quick goals in the first period. Red River defenseman Taylor Steen scored his first career goal at 5 minutes, 49 seconds of the opening period on a rebound after a LaDouceur shot.

LaDouceur followed with two straight goals, including an impressive backhand flip from the slot while skating shorthanded.

But the Green Wave, who lost to Bemidji 10-1 to open the season, battled back.

Before the end of the first period, Senior High sophomore Zack Lawdermilt scored two goals and teammate Tucker Poolman also had a tally. The Riders, who also received a goal from Josh Heisz in the first period, led 4-3 after the opening period.

“I thought that when Red River scored those early goals, we responded well,” Senior High coach Cory Chupka said. “In the second period, we continued to play hard but we need to tighten up in the defensive zone. We have to play the lanes and get sticks on pucks.”

The Riders bumped their lead to 6-3 in the second period after a pair of goals by Fugleberg, whose first goal came from behind the net when a centering attempt hit off the skates of Senior High goalie Beau Scheving. LaDouceur and linemate Josh Gilbertson assisted on both plays.

Senior High’s Jake Useldinger and Red River’s Brock Dahl scored in the third period as the Roughriders improved to 2-0.

Red River goalie Bryan Nies finished with 22 saves, while Scheving had 32 stops.

Chase, who is in his first year as head coach after Matt Malm resigned after last season, said the Riders need to stay away from these kinds of high-scoring games.

“I think the guys were excited to play in front of their friends and family, but I think they were too excited,” Chase said. “That’s when the sloppiness creeps in. We don’t want to have shootouts. Our offense isn’t going to be there every night.”

The Breakdown's All-Class Top 10 Teams In The State of Minnesota

Courtesy of Minnesota Hockey Hub .. The Official Site Of Minnesota H.S. Hockey

By: Tim Kolehmainen

Eden Prairie Holds Off Minnetonka For Top Spot

1. Eden Prairie (0-0-0)

Eden Prairie retains its top spot in the rankings, although No. 2 Minnetonka sure crept closer with its performance over the Thanksgiving weekend. But the defending Class AA state champions certainly did nothing to lose their ranking -- quite literally.

The Eagles will miss Mr. Hockey winner Nick Leddy on the blue line, but return much of the lineup that led them to the state title last winter. Last year’s precocious sophomore class is now an experienced junior unit that is ready to take the reins.

The Eagles have firepower on the front line with junior Kyle Rau and seniors Mitch Rogge and Mike Erickson leading the way. Defensively, junior Dan Molenaar will be counted on to help compensate for Leddy’s loss. He’s certainly capable of big things and will be helped by the return of junior goaltender Andrew Ford, the unsung hero of last year’s state tournament run. Ford started all three state games while allowing just four goals. And don’t forget about senior goaltender Matt Halloran, who split time during the regular season and won 12 games.

This week: Saturday vs. Eastview (7:30 p.m.)

2. Minnetonka (2-0-0)

The Skippers closed the gap on top-ranked Eden Prairie to a negligible amount with their performance at the Woodbury Tournament, when they routed perennial powers Duluth Marshall and Woodbury by a combined 15-1 score. In fact, Minnetonka was seriously considered as a co-No. 1 for the poll.

The Skippers are loaded with Division I college prospects in defensemen Andrew Prochno (2-7-9), Justin Holl (1-2-3) and Troy Hesketh and forward Max Gardiner (3-5-8), all of whom have already committed to big-time programs. Hesketh was also drafted in the third round of the NHL entry draft by Edmonton.
Thomas Schutt (4-0-4) is a sniper who compliments Gardiner well on the top line, while goaltender Jim Kruger (2-0-0, 0.50) faces few shots, but stops nearly every one (.966 save percentage). Kruger is an experienced anchor in nets, having started the past three years. It’s tough to pick out a weakness for the Skippers – just ask Marshall and Woodbury.
This week: Friday at Hibbing (7:30 p.m.), Saturday at Virginia (3:15 p.m.)

3. Bloomington Jefferson (1-0-0)

Jefferson kicked off a new campaign with a 7-1 victory over Rosemount, getting balanced scoring up and down the lineup. That’s a hallmark for coach Jeff Linquist’s team, which has a host of talented players with Division I potential. Ryan Siiro led the offensive outburst with two goals as the Jaguars ripped 59 shots on net. It won’t be the last time Jefferson posts that many shots, as in addition to a strong group of forwards, the Jaguars have offensive-minded defensemen such as Princeton-bound Joe Faust, Jeff Pauluk and Jake Perpich.

Justin Woodley (1-0-0, 1.00) took over in nets for graduated Brimsek Award winner Casey O’Connor and stopped nine of 10 shots. He’ll likely see more action as the season progresses, but it was a solid start in one of the few areas of inexperience for the Jaguars.

This week: Thursday at Chaska (7 p.m.), Saturday vs. Centennial (7:30 p.m.)

4. Breck (0-0-0)

Breck begins its title defense with a strong road test at highly-regarded Mahtomedi this Tuesday. The Mustangs have lost to Mahtomedi four straight times over the past three seasons, although Breck hasn’t had a returning team quite this deep and talented during that stretch.

The Mustangs graduated their leading scorer (Joe Rehkamp) and top defenseman (Reid Herd), but return 20 letterwinners, including All-State goaltender John Russell. With five returning defensemen, Breck should be just as strong defensively as it is offensively. Three returning forwards tallied more than 20 goals last winter (Riley Borer, Tyson Fulton and Mike Morin).

This week: Tuesday at Mahtomedi (7:30 p.m.), Saturday at Red Wing (6 p.m.)

5. St. Thomas Academy (0-0-0)

The Cadets will likely start their season angry, as they missed the state tournament for the first time in four years last winter. They’ll also be hungry, as their first game isn’t until the following week, well after most programs have begun their seasons.

Expect St. Thomas Academy to get off and running quite quickly, as the Cadets have as much returning talent as anyone in the state along with Breck.

Seniors Christian Isackson and Justin Crandall and junior AJ Reid combined for 68 goals and 155 points last winter. But the Cadets run several lines deep in scoring threats. Defensively, junior Taylor Fleming, senior Joe Graveline and sophomore Eric Schurhamer will support top goaltender Kurt Altrichter, who was in nets when the

Cadets won the state title in 2008.

This week: no games scheduled

6. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (0-0-0)

It may be that Benilde-St. Margaret’s is one of the top-five teams in Class AA this winter and yet never get a sniff of the state tournament. Such is the life in Section 6AA for Ken Pauly’s team, which has to contend with No. 1 Eden Prairie and No. 2 Minnetonka, as well as rising power Wayzata. The Red Knights will face as tough a test in the sections as any tournament in which they could participate.
Benilde was young last year, but still won 21 games and challenged Eden Prairie in the section semifinals.

Now, with another year of experience, they’ll be even tougher.

Christian Horn is arguably the top sophomore sniper in the state and set a school record for goals by a freshman last winter. Brett Patterson is a great two-way forward and Will Nelson and Pat Steinhauser make for a formidable offensive unit. Defensively, the Red Knights are also strong in front of goaltender Jacob Meyers.

This week: Tuesday at St. Cloud Tech (7 p.m.), Friday vs. Stillwater (7 p.m.)

7. Hill-Murray (1-0-0)

Hill-Murray opened with a 5-2 victory over Burnsville, with David Bruchu netting a pair of third-period goals to seal the win. It was a good start for the Pioneers as they attempt to put last season’s tumult behind them. Despite dismissing several key players at midseason, coach Bill Lechner still led the young Pioneers to the state tournament, showing their talent and resilience.

Hill-Murray should be one of the strongest defensive teams in the state paced by seniors Chris Casto and Jordan Johnson and juniors J.D. Cotroneo and Kevin Schulze and uber freshman Zach LaValle in front of junior netminder Tim Shaughnessy. The offense may not have a true sniper like graduated Tyler Zepeda, but the forwards form a solid, hard-working group led by Ben Bahe, Jack Walsh, Kevin Becker and Willie Faust.

This week: Saturday vs. Duluth Marshall (8 p.m.)

8. Blaine (0-0-0)

Blaine makes a big trek up to the northwest corner of the state to kick off its season, visiting Roseau in a classic Metro-Outstate battle Friday night. The Bengals have won the past for Section 6AA titles and look primed to do so again.

Mr. Hockey candidate Nick Bjugstad accelerated his schooling to graduate a year early and move on to the University of Minnesota, so he is actually a senior this year. Bjugstad, an honorable mention All-State pick, just might be a first-round NHL draft pick this coming summer, as he has everything scouts are looking for: skills, size, toughness and leadership.

With Bjugstad jumping up a class, Blaine is loaded with senior leaders all over the ice – wingers Eric Scheid and Gavin Tufte, defensemen Tony Larson and Taylor Richart and goaltender Danny Harper.

This week: Friday at Roseau (7:30 p.m.)

9. Holy Angels (0-0-0)

How tough is it for Stars’ fans to wait for the season’s start? While virtually everyone will have at least one game (and some as many as five) under their belts by the middle of next week, Holy Angels doesn’t have its opener until Friday, Dec. 11.

The Stars haven’t been to the state tournament since winning the title in 2005, quite a dry spell for the hockey superpower. They’ve lost Mr. Hockey candidate Danny Mattson, but return a trio of Reilly brothers that should make the transition smooth.

Senior twins Connor Reilly and Ryan Reilly combined for 44 goals last year and both have committed to the University of Minnesota. Sophomore defenseman Mike Reilly earned All-Missota honors as a freshman and complements his brothers well. None are physically imposing, but they certainly know how to play the game.

This week: no games scheduled

10. Warroad (0-0-0)

Warroad proved it should always to be considered an annual state contender last winter when it romped through much of the season behind a new crop of stars.

The Warriors didn’t slow down until the Class A state title game last year, when they ran into John Russell and Breck. The great season was a bit of a surprise, as the Warriors graduated much of their scoring punch from the previous season and didn’t have an experienced varsity goaltender on their roster. But it didn’t slow them down one bit.

It may be more of the same this winter, although All-State forwards Brock Nelson (45-36-81) and Brett Hebel (22-36-58) and defenseman Carson Gray (6-22-28) are a great trio of veterans. But again, Warroad must replace many top players, as well as All-State goaltender Jason Goldsmith.

This week: Friday at Mound-Westonka (7 p.m.), Saturday at Orono (2 p.m.)