Game Preview: La Crescent-Hokah Lancers vs. Dodge County Wildcats
Thursday, January 9, 2025 – 7:00 PM
Dodge County Ice Arena, Kasson, MN
The Lancers (4-7-0) are coming off a solid 3-1 victory over West Salem (Wis.) and are eager to build on that momentum. Led by head coach Eriah Hayes, La Crescent-Hokah aims to establish consistency.
While individual statistics are unavailable, the Lancers rely on a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent. Their defense has been inconsistent at times, allowing 12 goals in their two prior losses before the West Salem win. Maintaining defensive discipline will be critical against Dodge County’s offense.
The Wildcats (5-6-0) are fresh off an impressive 5-3 win over Owatonna, thanks to a four-goal third period. Brett Ludvigsen has been a standout, leading the team with 16 goals and 33 points, while Gabe Coshenet (12 goals, 16 points) provides strong secondary scoring.
Defensively, the Wildcats are anchored by Mason VanBenschoten (3.84 GAA, .863 SV%) and Wes Wagner (.871 SV%), who face a high volume of shots but have managed to keep their team competitive. Dodge County’s power play is highly effective, converting at 28.9%, and could be a game-changer in this matchup.
Dodge County enters this matchup as the favorite, with a high-powered offense led by Ludvigsen. While La Crescent-Hokah showed improvement in their last game, their defense has struggled against strong offenses, and the Wildcats’ depth and home-ice advantage are likely to prove decisive.
Final Score Prediction: Dodge County 5, La Crescent-Hokah 2
Expect the Wildcats to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, particularly on the power play, to secure a comfortable victory. The Lancers will need a near-flawless defensive effort to pull off an upset.
