Game Preview: Academy of Holy Angels vs. Minneapolis – January 14, 2025
Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM,
Richfield Ice Arena, Richfield, MN
The Academy of Holy Angels Stars (12-2-1) have been one of the most impressive teams in the Tri-Metro Conference this season, averaging an astounding 5.53 goals per game. Coming off a dominant 10-1 win against Breck on January 11, Holy Angels has proven to have one of the strongest offenses in the area, led by their dynamic forward, Henry Lechner. The senior has been on fire, posting 28 goals and 45 points. His ability to score in bunches has been a key factor in the Stars’ success, as they’ve averaged over five goals per game.
Supporting Lechner is a balanced group of forwards, including Lincoln Ayers Assad (14 goals, 22 points) and Gabe Perron (24 points). The offense flows through these key players, but the depth they provide ensures that the Stars aren’t reliant on just one or two individuals to carry the load.
On the defensive side, Luke Marsalek has been a standout, posting a remarkable 1.89 GAA with a .926 SV%. The defensive core in front of him has been solid, allowing just 2.00 goals per game, which is among the best in the conference. The Stars’ penalty kill has been excellent at 84.9%, and their power play is also highly effective, converting at 23.4%.
While Holy Angels is a clear favorite in this matchup, they’ll need to maintain their focus and avoid any complacency after such a dominant victory. The Stars’ blend of high-powered offense and strong defensive play gives them a well-rounded approach that is difficult for most teams to match.
Key Players:
The Minneapolis Hockey Team (8-3-3) has had a strong start to the season, currently sitting near the top of the Tri-Metro standings. However, they are coming off a tough 4-2 loss to Robbinsdale Armstrong/Cooper on January 4, a game where their offense couldn’t break through consistently. Minneapolis has an explosive offense, averaging 4.21 goals per game, led by Johan Krasean and Eli Milinkovich, both of whom have 11 goals and 25 points each. Their scoring depth also includes Rory Kronick (9 goals, 18 points) and Nick Anderson (17 points), meaning Holy Angels will have to stay vigilant on defense.
However, while their offense has been strong, their defense and goaltending have been even more impressive. Griffin Simpson has been outstanding between the pipes, posting a 1.44 GAA and a .949 SV%, which ranks among the best in the conference. Simpson has consistently kept his team in games, even when their offense hasn’t been firing on all cylinders.
Minneapolis’ penalty kill has been dominant at 88.6%, which will be crucial in this game against a power-play unit like Holy Angels. The key for Minneapolis will be to stay disciplined and capitalize on opportunities when they come.
If they are to have a chance against a high-scoring team like Holy Angels, they’ll need to tighten up defensively and get a stellar performance from Simpson in net. Additionally, Krasean and Milinkovich must find ways to break through the Stars’ defense, particularly against Marsalek, who has been nearly unbeatable this season.
Key Players:
This game appears to heavily favor Academy of Holy Angels. Their high-powered offense, led by Lechner, Ayers Assad, and Perron, should be able to generate plenty of scoring chances against a solid but not invincible Minneapolis defense. While Minneapolis has a strong goaltender in Griffin Simpson, it will be a tall task to slow down Holy Angels’ relentless attack, especially on the power play.
Holy Angels also has a strong defensive unit, and their penalty kill will be a key factor against a Minneapolis power play that has shown the ability to score. With Marsalek in net, Holy Angels has one of the best goaltenders in the conference, which makes it even harder for Minneapolis to break through.
Minneapolis, however, cannot be counted out entirely. Their offense, spearheaded by Krasean and Milinkovich, has the firepower to pose problems for Holy Angels. If Simpson can play the best game of his career, and the Minneapolis penalty kill remains solid, they may be able to keep it close.
