Section 3AA Semifinal Preview: Rosemount vs. Cretin-Derham Hall

Tuesday, February 25 | 8:00 PM | Braemar Arena, Edina

One of the biggest matchups in the Section 3AA Semifinals is set as the Rosemount Irish (23-3-0) take on the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders (22-3-1) at Braemar Arena in Edina. Both teams are coming off dominant quarterfinal victories and have their sights set on a section championship berth.

How They Got Here

Rosemount took care of business in their quarterfinal, defeating Eastview 6-2. The Irish offense was relentless, firing 39 shots on goal, while goaltender Sam Clements stopped 17 of 19 shots.
Cretin-Derham Hall had an equally strong showing, rolling over Apple Valley/Burnsville 7-2 behind a hat trick from Max Anderson and three assists from Jonny Bloedow. The Raiders also showcased their power play dominance, going 3-for-6 with the man advantage.

Season Snapshot

Rosemount finished second in the South Suburban Conference, averaging 5.69 goals per game while allowing only 2.23.
Cretin-Derham Hall finished atop the Suburban East Conference, boasting one of the top defensive units in the state, allowing just 1.69 goals per game.

Despite both teams’ success, they did not meet during the regular season, making this semifinal battle even more intriguing.

Key Players to Watch

Rosemount Irish

Christian Garrity (30 G, 18 A, 48 PTS) – Rosemount’s top goal scorer has a knack for finding the net and was a force in the quarterfinals with a goal and two assists.
Cade Sherman (22 G, 27 A, 49 PTS) – The team’s top point producer, he recorded two assists in the win over Eastview.
Josh Toll (13 G, 35 A, 48 PTS) – A balanced offensive threat who scored twice in the last game and will be crucial against Cretin’s strong defense.
Sam Clements (2.18 GAA, .897 SV%) – The Irish goalie has been steady all year and will need to be sharp against a deep Cretin attack.

Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders

Max Anderson (20 G, 10 A, 30 PTS) – Coming off a hat trick performance, he’s heating up at the perfect time.
Nate Chorlton (19 G, 24 A, 43 PTS) – The Raiders’ top scorer, he will be a major factor in breaking down Rosemount’s defense.
Jonny Bloedow (13 G, 14 A, 27 PTS) – The team’s top playmaker, Bloedow had three assists in the quarterfinal win.
Owen Nelson (1.66 GAA, .926 SV%) – One of the most consistent goaltenders in the state, Nelson will be key in shutting down Rosemount’s high-powered offense.

Keys to the Game

For Rosemount:
✅ Sustained Offensive Pressure – The Irish fired 39 shots against Eastview and will need to keep the pressure on Cretin’s elite goaltender.
✅ Special Teams Execution – Rosemount’s power play (33.8%) must capitalize on opportunities against a disciplined Cretin squad.
✅ Shutting Down Anderson and Chorlton – Limiting Cretin’s top two scorers will be crucial for an Irish victory.

For Cretin-Derham Hall:
✅ Strong Defensive Start – The Raiders cannot allow Rosemount to dictate the pace early.
✅ Power Play Efficiency – Cretin’s 3-for-6 performance on the power play in the quarterfinals must carry over.
✅ Goaltending Edge – Owen Nelson (.926 SV%) will need to be at his best against one of the highest-scoring teams in the section.

Prediction:

This is a true heavyweight battle, with Rosemount bringing one of the best offenses in the section, while Cretin-Derham Hall counters with a stifling defense and elite goaltending. Expect a close game that could be decided by special teams and late-game heroics.

Final Prediction: Rosemount 4, Cretin-Derham Hall 3 (OT).

With a trip to the Section 3AA Championship on the line, expect an intense, physical game between two of the state’s top teams. Puck drops at 8:00 PM at Braemar Arena in Edina!

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