Scherbers hat-trick lifts Monticello past Sauk-Rapids, Fuzz Aafedt shuts out Pine City, Scissons and Berry score to help Duluth Marshall beat Gentry:
Blake 4, Pine City Area 0
Blake Shuts Out Pine City Area with Stellar Goaltending and Balanced Scoring
Blake (4) dominated Pine City Area (0) in a decisive shutout victory at the National Sports Center during the Super Rink Winter Classic. Blake’s offense steadily built momentum across all three periods, while their goaltender, Fuzz Aafedt, posted an impressive 28-save shutout performance.
Key Moments:
- First Period:
Blake opened the scoring with a goal from James Thornton at 6:27, assisted by Finn Woerner.
- Second Period:
Blake extended their lead with Grant Matushak scoring at 3:21, set up by Kellen Matushak and Max Vinar.
- Third Period:
Landon Bell scored early in the period to make it 3-0, followed by a strong finish from Kellen Matushak, who added another goal at 13:35.
Blake Standouts:
- Kellen Matushak: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Grant Matushak: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Fuzz Aafedt: 28 saves for the shutout
Pine City Area Highlights: Despite being shut out, Pine City Area generated 28 shots on goal, led by a collective effort from their skaters. However, their power play went 0-for-5, and they struggled to capitalize on opportunities.
Goaltender Matchup:
- Blake: Fuzz Aafedt was unbeatable, making all 28 saves.
- Pine City Area: Aaron Rootkie faced 30 shots, stopping 26 for a .867 save percentage.
Blake’s disciplined defense and efficient scoring secured the win, marking a strong start to their tournament campaign.
Park of Cottage Grove 5, Apple Valley/Burnsville 1
Park of Cottage Grove Dominates in Heritage Hockey Classic Opener
Park of Cottage Grove (5) powered past Apple Valley/Burnsville (1) in a commanding victory at the Heritage Sports Center in Duluth. The team combined efficient scoring, a strong defensive effort, and stellar goaltending from Henry Voss, who stopped 16 of 17 shots for a .941 save percentage.
Key Moments:
- First Period:
Park of Cottage Grove took control early with a power-play goal from Owen Corkish at 3:03, assisted by Max Kaplan and Caden Schwartz. Less than a minute later, Gavin Sand added another to make it 2-0.
- Second Period:
Apple Valley/Burnsville got on the board at 12:04 with a goal from Dylan Otten, assisted by Ryder Mills, but Malachi McMorrow restored Cottage Grove’s two-goal lead at 15:44.
- Third Period:
Park of Cottage Grove sealed the victory with goals from Nick Bailey at 8:00 and Gavin Moss at 12:40.
Standout Performances:
- Park of Cottage Grove:
- Owen Corkish: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Nick Bailey: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Gavin Moss: 1 goal
- Max Kaplan: 2 assists
- Henry Voss (G): 16 saves, .941 save percentage
- Apple Valley/Burnsville:
- Dylan Otten: 1 goal
- Ryder Mills: 1 assist
- Max Wiggins (G): 31 saves, .861 save percentage
Special Teams:
- Park of Cottage Grove capitalized on one of their four power-play opportunities (25%).
- Apple Valley/Burnsville went 0-for-5 on the power play, struggling to convert.
Monticello 4, Sauk Rapids-Rice 2
Scherber’s Hat Trick Propels Monticello to Victory in Granite City Showcase
Monticello (4) edged Sauk Rapids-Rice (2) in a high-energy matchup at the Granite City Showcase, powered by a standout hat trick from Landen Scherber. The Moose capitalized on their offensive pressure, firing 52 shots on goal and converting two power plays to secure the win.
Key Moments:
- First Period:
Monticello set the tone early with a power-play goal by Aidan Widmark at 7:51, followed quickly by Scherber’s first goal at 8:32. Sauk Rapids-Rice’s Bryden Prelvitz responded with a goal at 13:43 to keep the game close.
- Second Period:
Sauk Rapids-Rice cut the deficit to 3-2 with a goal from Vincent Murn at 12:14, but Monticello’s defense held strong through the remainder of the period.
- Third Period:
Scherber completed his hat trick with a power-play goal at 8:53, sealing the victory for Monticello.
Standout Performances:
- Monticello:
- Landen Scherber: 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points
- Aidan Widmark: 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points
- Nathan Poeppel: 2 assists
- Nicklas Nelson: 2 assists
- Logan Blahnik (G): 17 saves, .895 save percentage
- Sauk Rapids-Rice:
- Bryden Prelvitz: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Vincent Murn: 1 goal
- Landon Jennings (G): 48 saves, .923 save percentage
Special Teams:
- Monticello excelled on the power play, going 2-for-4 (50%).
- Sauk Rapids-Rice struggled, finishing 0-for-2 on the man advantage.
Monticello dominated in puck possession and offensive output, earning a well-deserved win in their Granite City Showcase opener. Scherber’s hat trick highlighted an impressive performance for the Moose.
Somerset (Wis.) 2, North Shore 1
Haukom’s Short-Handed Spark Leads Somerset Past North Shore
Somerset (Wis.) edged North Shore 2-1 in a gritty contest at the Bill McGann Holiday Classic, highlighted by Marshall Haukom’s short-handed goal and Breck Richardson’s game-winner. Both teams battled hard, but Somerset’s relentless offensive pressure proved decisive.
Key Moments:
- First Period:
North Shore’s Ayden Althaus struck first with an even-strength goal at 9:09, giving his team a 1-0 lead.
- Second Period:
Somerset responded emphatically. Marshall Haukom capitalized on a short-handed opportunity at 4:34 to tie the game, followed by Breck Richardson’s even-strength goal at 16:19 to give Somerset the lead.
- Third Period:
Despite late-game pressure from North Shore, Somerset’s defense and goaltending held firm, securing the victory.
Standout Performances:
- Somerset (Wis.):
- Marshall Haukom: 1 goal (short-handed)
- Breck Richardson: 1 goal (game-winner)
- Devin Richardson: 1 assist
- Goalie: Breck Richardson (51:00): 17 saves, .944 save percentage
- North Shore:
- Ayden Althaus: 1 goal
- Kade Norman: 1 assist
- Goalie: Dax Krech (51:00): 34 saves, .944 save percentage
Special Teams:
- Somerset scored one short-handed goal but went 0-for-1 on the power play.
- North Shore struggled on special teams, finishing 0-for-4 on the power play.
Rogers 5, Lakeville South 2
Rogers Rides Early Surge to Victory Over Lakeville South
Rogers came out strong, building a five-goal lead through the first two periods and holding off a late Lakeville South rally to secure a 5-2 victory in the Premiere Holiday Classic at the PIC.
Key Moments:
- First Period:
Rogers set the tone early with goals from Keaton Weis at 3:05 and Parker Deschene at 11:40, both assisted by standout forward Mason Jenson.
- Second Period:
The Rogers offense continued to dominate. Parker Deschene scored his second goal at 0:45, followed by goals from Mason Jenson and Nolen Geerdes to make it 5-0 by the end of the period.
- Third Period:
Lakeville South showed resilience with back-to-back goals from Jackson Ernst at 2:57 and Colby Olsen at 4:37, but the deficit was too large to overcome.
Standout Performances:
- Rogers:
- Keaton Weis: 1 goal, 3 assists
- Parker Deschene: 2 goals, 1 assist
- Mason Jenson: 1 goal, 2 assists
- Goalie Wyatt Knott: 18 saves, .900 save percentage
- Lakeville South:
- Jackson Ernst: 1 goal
- Colby Olsen: 1 goal
- Goalie Carson Hauger: 23 saves
Special Teams:
- Rogers did not have any power play opportunities but remained disciplined in their play.
- Lakeville South went 0-for-4 on the power play, unable to capitalize on their man-advantage chances.
With a balanced offensive attack and strong goaltending, Rogers continues to demonstrate their depth and ability to manage leads effectively, solidifying their position as a team to watch this season.
Duluth Marshall 4, Gentry Academy 2
Duluth Marshall Storms Back to Defeat Gentry Academy
In a thrilling game at the Super Rink Winter Classic, Duluth Marshall overcame an early deficit with a strong third period to defeat Gentry Academy 4-2.
Key Moments:
- Second Period:
Gentry Academy struck first with Ryland Rooney scoring twice to give his team a 2-1 lead. Duluth Marshall’s Bennett Scissons found the back of the net midway through the period to keep his team within one.
- Third Period:
Duluth Marshall dominated the final frame, starting with a power-play goal by Samuel Berry at 4:27. Maxwell Berrisford scored the game-winning goal at 11:42, and Benson Peterson added an empty-net goal to secure the victory.
Standout Performances:
- Duluth Marshall:
- Bennett Scissons: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Samuel Berry: 1 goal, 1 assist
- Goalie Landon Wheeler: 29 saves, .935 save percentage
- Gentry Academy:
- Ryland Rooney: 2 goals
- Goalie Wyatt Sander: 35 saves, .921 save percentage
Special Teams:
- Duluth Marshall capitalized on one of their three power-play opportunities, while Gentry Academy was held scoreless on their lone chance.
Game Summary: After a tight first two periods, Duluth Marshall’s offensive depth and resilience shone through in the third. Their ability to convert on key opportunities and hold off Gentry Academy’s pressure proved decisive. Goalie Landon Wheeler was a standout, anchoring the team with timely saves.
Superior (Wis.) 2, Mankato West 1 (OT)
Superior Edges Mankato West in Overtime Thriller
In a tightly contested game at the Heritage Hockey Classic, Superior (Wis.) rallied late and secured a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory over Mankato West.
Key Moments:
- First Period:
Mankato West struck first as Rickey Enter scored at 15:36 with assists from Jakobe Tosch and Grady Hatlestad, giving West a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
- Third Period:
Superior tied the game late in regulation at 16:52 with a goal by Brayden Severin, assisted by Maverik Milroy and Brady Haroldson, sending the game to overtime.
- Overtime:
At 1:40 into overtime, Maverik Milroy sealed the win for Superior with a clutch goal assisted by Brayden Severin.
Standout Performances:
- Superior (Wis.):
- Maverik Milroy: 1 goal, 1 assist, including the game-winner.
- Brayden Severin: 1 goal, 1 assist.
- Goalie Hunter Sidorowicz: 18 saves, .947 save percentage.
- Mankato West:
- Rickey Enter: 1 goal.
- Goalie Mason Schreiber: 30 saves, .938 save percentage.
Special Teams:
- Both teams struggled on the power play, with Superior going 0 for 4 and Mankato West 0 for 3.
Game Summary: Superior’s relentless pressure, as evidenced by their 32 shots on goal, paid off in the late stages of the game. Their ability to tie the game in the dying minutes and capitalize in overtime showcased their resilience and determination. Hunter Sidorowicz stood tall in net, while Milroy and Severin delivered offensively to lift Superior to a hard-fought victory.
New Ulm 4, Proctor 1
New Ulm secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Proctor in a matchup that saw balanced contributions from the Eagles. Hunter Larson opened the scoring late in the first period, assisted by Mason Buegler and Talan Helget, giving New Ulm an early lead.
Carson Uecker doubled the lead just 56 seconds into the second period with an unassisted effort. Proctor struck back with a shorthanded goal by Tanner Ross, assisted by Austin Bryant, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
In the third period, New Ulm’s Ian Brudelie restored their two-goal advantage with a quick finish, set up by Uecker and Brecken Neuman. Brody Wenner sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the final moments, assisted by Keaton Weston and Brody Nordby.
Key Performances:
- Hunter Larson (New Ulm): 1 goal.
- Carson Uecker (New Ulm): 1 goal, 1 assist.
- Ian Brudelie (New Ulm): 1 goal.
- Tanner Ross (Proctor): 1 goal (shorthanded).
New Ulm goalie Graham Glaser was stellar in net, stopping 33 of 34 shots for a .971 save percentage. Proctor’s Brayden Mclean faced a barrage of 32 shots, saving 28 with a .903 save percentage.
Moorhead 6, Edina 3
Moorhead’s offensive firepower and balanced attack led them to a 6-3 victory over Edina in an action-packed game.
First Period
Moorhead jumped to an early lead with Tyden Bergeson scoring at 6:55, assisted by Brooks Cullen and Evan Wanner. Later, Brayden Kvamme doubled the lead with a goal at 12:22 off an assist from Brady Steffen.
Second Period
Kvamme struck again early in the second period with his second goal at 3:35, assisted by Carter Huotari, extending Moorhead’s lead to 3-0. Edina responded quickly with back-to-back goals from Caleb Pittsley and Bode McConnell, narrowing the gap to 3-2. However, Kvamme completed his hat trick with an even-strength goal at 13:07, assisted by Zac Zimmerman, giving Moorhead a 4-2 edge heading into the final period.
Third Period
Edina’s Brady Mullmann scored at 6:21, with assists from Mason West and Dylan Dubuc, bringing the Hornets within one. However, Zimmerman capitalized on a power play at 7:34, assisted by Mason Kraft and Brandon Mickelson, to restore Moorhead’s two-goal cushion. Zimmerman sealed the game with an even-strength goal at 11:48, assisted by Kraft and Seamus Campbell, securing the 6-3 victory.
Key Performances
- Brayden Kvamme (Moorhead): 3 goals, including the game-winner.
- Zac Zimmerman (Moorhead): 2 goals, 1 assist.
- Mason Kraft (Moorhead): 2 assists.
- Caleb Pittsley (Edina): 1 goal, 1 assist.
Goaltending
- Moorhead: Charlie Stenehjem made 23 saves on 26 shots for an .885 save percentage.
- Edina: Wyatt Spindler faced 21 shots and stopped 15 for a .714 save percentage.
Moorhead’s efficient scoring and strong special teams performance on the power play were key factors in their victory. Edina’s effort to rally fell short despite creating more chances in the second and third periods.
Andover 6, Rosemount 1
The Andover Huskies secured their first win of the season in dominant fashion, defeating the previously unbeaten Rosemount Irish 6-1. This breakout performance saw Andover shine on both ends of the ice, led by a stellar showing from goaltender Cash Cruitt.
First Period
Andover started strong with an early goal at 2:07 by Jordan Giacomini, assisted by Chase Foy. The Huskies held the Irish scoreless despite Rosemount putting 15 shots on goal in the period.
Second Period
Giacomini struck again just 1:45 into the second, extending Andover’s lead to 2-0 with help from Casey Rodgers and Foy. Andover continued to build momentum with Jack Rykkeli scoring at 7:38, assisted by William Thackeray and Rodgers. Rosemount briefly rallied when Christian Garrity scored at 9:43, assisted by Cade Sherman and Cristian Nichols, but Owen Lutgen added another for Andover at 15:02 to make it 4-1.
Third Period
Andover sealed the game with two empty-net goals late in the period. Camden Langfeld scored at 13:04, followed by Keaton Coe at 14:06, assisted by Luke Babineau, securing the final 6-1 victory.
Key Performances
- Jordan Giacomini (Andover): 2 goals, including the game-winner.
- Cash Cruitt (Andover): 40 saves on 41 shots (.976 save percentage).
- Casey Rodgers (Andover): 2 assists.
- Christian Garrity (Rosemount): Lone goal for Rosemount.
Special Teams
Neither team capitalized on the power play, with Rosemount going 0-for-1 and Andover going 0-for-5.
Goaltending
- Andover: Cash Cruitt was exceptional, making 40 saves and keeping Rosemount at bay during their surges.
- Rosemount: Sam Clements faced 32 shots, stopping 26 for a .812 save percentage.
