Game Preview: Simley vs. Chisago Lakes – Section 4A Semifinals
The Section 4A Semifinals brings an exciting matchup between Simley and Chisago Lakes, with both teams looking to punch their ticket to the championship game. The game will take place on Tuesday, February 25, at 5:00 PM at Adrich Arena in Maplewood.
Simley Spartans (12-14-0)
Simley enters this game coming off a 3-1 victory over St. Paul Academy in the quarterfinals. The Spartans played a solid defensive game, allowing just one goal while spreading out their offense across three periods.
Key Players to Watch:
- Tyler Letendre (20G, 12A, 32 PTS) – The Spartans’ top scorer, Letendre is the biggest offensive threat, capable of finding the back of the net in key moments.
- Alex Miller (19G, 9A, 28 PTS) – A strong finisher who will look to generate scoring opportunities.
- Ethan Unglesbee (7G, 23A, 30 PTS) – A playmaker who leads the team in assists and can set up crucial scoring chances.
Goaltending:
- Owen Unglesbee (4.75 GAA, .869 SV%) will need to have a strong performance to keep Simley in the game against a high-scoring Chisago Lakes squad.
Keys to Victory for Simley:
- Defensive discipline – The Spartans allow 4.88 goals per game, meaning they must tighten up defensively.
- Special teams – Simley needs to capitalize on their 21% power play success rate while improving their 75.8% penalty kill against a dangerous Chisago Lakes power play.
- Get pucks to the net – Simley is averaging 3.12 goals per game, so offensive production will be crucial.
Chisago Lakes Wildcats (15-9-2)
Chisago Lakes is coming off a dominant 13-1 win over Bloomington Kennedy in the quarterfinals, showcasing their offensive depth. The Wildcats are the top team in Section 4A, and finished second in the Mississippi 8 Conference.
Key Players to Watch:
- Max Bobrowski (20G, 14A, 34 PTS) – The Wildcats’ top scorer and an offensive catalyst.
- Jacob Kletti (17G, 26A, 43 PTS) – Leads the team in points and can create scoring chances with his passing ability.
- Max Koch (10G, 19A, 29 PTS) – Another playmaker who will be looking to contribute.
Goaltending:
- Shandley Corbin (2.79 GAA, .904 SV%) provides stability in net and will be key in stopping Simley’s top shooters.
Keys to Victory for Chisago Lakes:
- Offensive firepower – The Wildcats average 4.38 goals per game and need to maintain that scoring momentum.
- Strong special teams – Their 30.7% power play is a major weapon.
- Controlling possession – If Chisago Lakes can dictate the pace of play, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to win.
Game Outlook
This game features two teams with contrasting styles—Chisago Lakes boasts an explosive offense, while Simley will need to rely on defensive structure and goaltending to stay competitive. Chisago Lakes enters as the favorite, but if Simley can capitalize on their chances and get a strong performance from Unglesbee in goal, they could pull off the upset.
Prediction: This matchup could come down to special teams and goaltending. If Simley can limit scoring chances and convert on their power plays, they have a shot at moving on. However, if Chisago Lakes brings the offensive intensity they showed in their last game, they could be too much for Simley to handle.
Puck drops at 5:00 PM – who will advance to the Section 4A Championship?
