Playoff Preview: Little Falls vs. St. Cloud Cathedral

Date: Saturday, Feb. 22 @ 1:00 PM
Location: St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex

Matchup Overview

A rematch of two Granite Ridge Conference rivals, Little Falls (15-7-4) and St. Cloud Cathedral (16-8-2), meet in a Section 5A semifinal showdown. Both teams enter the matchup after dominant quarterfinal victories, with Little Falls defeating River Lakes 4-1 and St. Cloud Cathedral shutting out Princeton 6-0.

The Crusaders are the defending Section 5A champions and a perennial state tournament team, while Little Falls is looking to pull off an upset and return to the state tournament for the first time since 2021.

Little Falls: Can the Flyers Slow Down SCC?

The Flyers have been consistent all season, averaging 3.31 goals per game, but their defensive strength is their key asset, allowing just 2.69 goals per game. If they are going to pull off the upset, their top scorers and goaltender Izaak Kalis will need to step up.

Key Players to Watch

Ryan Oothoudt (22G, 27A, 49P) – Team’s top scorer, Oothoudt needs to produce if Little Falls hopes to keep pace with SCC’s offense.
Luke Avery (9G, 26A, 35P) – Playmaker and set-up man, his passing ability will be crucial.
Joey Welinski (13G, 16A, 29P) – A secondary scoring threat who can capitalize on power plays.
Izaak Kalis (2.42 GAA, .932 SV%) – One of the top goalies in the section, he will be tested against an explosive SCC offense.

Keys to Victory

✅ Defensive discipline – SCC has one of the best power plays in the state (31.2%), so the Flyers must stay out of the box.
✅ Capitalize on limited opportunities – SCC averages 3.88 goals per game, so Little Falls must finish their scoring chances.
✅ Kalis must steal the game – With a .932 save percentage, Kalis has the ability to keep this a low-scoring contest.

St. Cloud Cathedral: Offensive Firepower & Experience

The Crusaders are the favorites in this matchup, coming off a state championship last season. They boast one of the most dangerous offenses in the section, scoring 3.88 goals per game, and they have an elite power play (31.2%).

Key Players to Watch

John Hirschfeld (23G, 44A, 67P) – One of the most dynamic players in Class A hockey, Hirschfeld is a game-changer.
Joey Gillespie (18G, 38A, 56P) – SCC’s best playmaker, he has a knack for setting up big goals.
Griffin Sturm (15G, 25A, 40P) – A balanced scorer and passer, he adds another offensive layer.
Keaton Legrande (2.75 GAA, .891 SV%) – can he step up in the biggest game of his career?

Keys to Victory

✅ Dictate pace – SCC is at its best when it controls possession and generates offense at will.
✅ Exploit power play opportunities – Little Falls has just a 74.2% penalty kill, making special teams a key advantage.
✅ Shut down Oothoudt – He is Little Falls’ main offensive weapon, and if SCC limits his impact, they should win comfortably.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Category	Little Falls	St. Cloud Cathedral
Goals Per Game	3.31	3.88
Goals Allowed Per Game	2.69	3.04
Power Play %	24.6%	31.2%
Penalty Kill %	74.2%	70.3%
Top Goal Scorer	Ryan Oothoudt (22)	John Hirschfeld (23)
Top Playmaker	Luke Avery (26 A)	Joey Gillespie (38 A)
Goaltending Leader	Izaak Kalis (.932 SV%)	Keaton Legrande (.891 SV%)

Prediction

Little Falls will rely on defense and goaltending to slow down SCC, but the Crusaders have too much offensive depth. Expect Hirschfeld and Gillespie to create scoring chances, and SCC’s power play to be the difference-maker.

Final Prediction: St. Cloud Cathedral 4, Little Falls 2
➡️ Hirschfeld leads the way, SCC’s power play converts twice, and the Crusaders advance to the Section 5A Championship.

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