Section 1A Final- Rochester Lourdes vs Mankato West?

[PeterDenton]

Section 1A final is tomorrow night at the Rec Center. Should be a great game between two competitve teams. In the two teams only meeting this season Lourdes won in a close battle, 3-2.

-Rochester Lourdes has two of the top forwards in the state in Funk and Samuelson who are both seniors and are each playing in there fourth consecutive section 1A final. Rounding out that line is senior Ben Weir who can also put the puck in the net and had the GW in the semi-final game.

-Although I'm not as familiar with West it looks like they've got some fire power up front as well in juniors Frentz and Campbell. Can anyone provide some more insight for West?

Scenario is similar to the 07-08 section final matchup in an opposite setting, where this time Lourdes is a senior-heavy talented team while West is a junior heavy-talented squad.

Any thoughts on who will come out on top?

[Shinbone_News]

I like West for the upset, but they'll have to play out of their minds.

They definitely have the scoring power between Frentz, Campbell and Goetl. The question is will they be able to solve Lourdes' defense.

I'm betting it will be 3-2, West this time. Young and hungry -- only once to the X before. Lourdes will be looking past them, IMHO.

[grandmeadowhockeyfan]

Someone posted that mankatowest has to get past Lourdes defense? I have seen Lourdes four times this year and defense and goaltending were the weak points of the team. The defense should be the factor that goes Mankato west winning point. If they exposé that defense and goalie the game could go 5-2 mankatowest. I hope it comes pug with west with the win. Lourdes last chance for four or five years in my opinion. They will fall back to the median.

[Chalk_Talk]

I think this will be a good game, unless West plays the way they did the first 2 periods on Saturday, it will be over after the first.

West team break down

Goaltending-Spiess (junior) is the reason west won on Saturday. He played the best I have seen him play all year. West rotated their goalies all year until playoffs started. Both goalies were fairly even during the year. Wollenzien is a soph

Defense-1 senior, 2 juniors, and 1 fresh, This group has looked really good at times and they have all looked like they are all fresh at times. They need to be aggressive hustling to each line, they seemed to be backing up and giving up blue lines really easily. If they do that wed Funk and Samuelson with take full advantage of that.

Forwards-2 seniors, 5 Juniors, 3 soph, 1 fresh, Top line has been scoring a ton this year, (Frentz, Campbell, Goettle) They move the puck really well. Don't over look the second line, the second you give them an opportunity they will burry it. The third line has scored some big goals when needed this year, they will be filled with energy tomorrow.

PP- Looked fantastic on Sat, this propelled them to the win. If they move the puck like that on Wed this what could put them over the top.

PK- A couple tall trees on D to keep things on the outside and up high

4-3 Scarlets

My two cents, if it's even worth that! Go Scarlets!

[Ready2GoYet]

Lourdes over West 5 - 4. While I do believe both West and New Prague will challenge for 1A next year (if their rosters stay intact, and they stay in 1A) and that the Lourdes run will end, with their experience and the fact that the game is in Rochester (and yes, people can argue its not a home game for Lourdes because its at the Rec Center), I still have to lean to Lourdes for this year.

[hockeydad]

Lourdes over West 5 - 4. While I do believe both West and New Prague will challenge for 1A next year (if their rosters stay intact, and they stay in 1A) and that the Lourdes run will end, with their experience and the fact that the game is in Rochester (and yes, people can argue its not a home game for Lourdes because its at the Rec Center), I still have to lean to Lourdes for this year.

If they stay in 1A is the key. With Section 3A down to just nine teams and Section 1A still with 12, I wouldn't be surprised if the Mankato schools get moved west. A lot depends on if the New Ulm co-op and Le Sueur/St Peter/TCU are given waivers to stay in Class A.

In the meantime, Go West! it's not that I am hating on private schools... I used to live in Rochester an might have sent my kids to Lourdes if I had stayed there... I just want to see someone different come out of this section.

[urban iceman]

I'm going 5-2 Lourdes. The seniors on the Eagles are hell bent on going to the X for the last time. They will be a lot more disiplined vs West than New Prague was. I'll agree West's PP was good against NP , but that included two 5 ON 3 PP's that were really the Trojan's downfall in the game. I can't see lourdes losing it that way. GOOD LUCK TO BOTH!!

[OU812]

First of all, what a season in Sec 1A; four teams ranked in the top 20 at one time or another, and a lot of great games. Thanks for all the posts, guys. Should be an epic end to the section tournament for all the kids playing and thier fans.


Saw both semis. In the Lourdes v Northfield game, I think Northfield's Andrew Scofield was part of the story helping NF to hold the lead for so long - best game I've seen him play. Lourdes didn't panic, and knocked in the game winner like they expected it all along. Big players play big in big games.

As for West v NP, West got bombed in the first period, with shots 15-3. It was even worse than it sounds for West at the start: shots were about 10-0 just six minutes into the game, which is mostly a credit to the NP players hustle. NP's Cody Meyer played a truly great game. However, all those SOG's also allowed West G Jake Spiess to play his best period all season; he was the MVP of the game. As for the second and third period NP penalties, I thought most were the result of West putting pressure on NP that just wasn't there in the first period. The West PP was dynamite, but I don't expect Lourdes to give up any 5 on 3 PP's tomorrow night.

Section 1A Championship

Lourdes forwards Funk (38-30-68 ) and Samuleson (26-46-72) have been winners for four years, and I am positive they will play a great game tomorrow night. D man Slightham made the MN Select 16 final 20 last year, so he can definitely hold his own.

Hope the Scarlets are ready, and they just might be. At times lately West has been stellar (they led Mayo 6-0 after two periods, at Mayo, while Mayo was still undefeated in Big Nine play) but they also have had less than great showings (lost to Owatonna, and see above re: NP first period). Frentz (38-32-70), and his linemates Campbell (17-32-49) and Goettl (21-28-49) have had a season they won't ever forget, and D men Mettler (4-18-22) and McKissick (3-30-33) have been the best D tandem in the section, IMHO. The whole West team had a dream season - 22 wins so far - and good thing too, because they are in for a damn tough game at the Rec tomorrow. In the end, goalie Spiess may hold they key to the game.

Good luck to both teams. Have fun, fans.

[Roy01]

I REALLY wish I could get back down to see this game... I think this has the potential to be one of the best finals this year, and in years (for this section).

I have seen Lourdes play this year, and as it has been touched on prior their D and goaltending seems to be the issue. I think Northfield exposed that a bit in the semifinal. Burkel, the Lourdes goaltender, is shaky at the beginning of the game and settles down as things progress. The Eagles D can be driven and it has been an issue. They are beaten easily by speed.

As for West, they can not afford another slow start like they had against New Prague. If West is to win, they need to come out fast; the Scarlet's will lose if they have another lackadaisical effort to begin the session.

I would say the game comes down to a few factors:

1. Physical Presence: West will need to play a gritty game to slow down Funk and Samuelson.
2. The First Goal: The problem teams have had with Lourdes in the past is they get up by a couple and lock down for the remainder of the game. If West scores first, it keeps them off that style of play.
3. Goaltending: Whatever goalie settles and plays his game will likely lead his team to St. Paul.
4. Limiting First-Line Scoring: Whether it be Lourdes or West who does this, it will be a key in this match-up. Lately Lourdes has been getting more contribution from their supporting cast which is a plus for them. As has West. Whichever team slows the first line has the edge.
5. Defensive Play: "Offense sells tickets, defense wins the championship." Great team defense will bring one of these teams out and onto the X.

As for predictions, I think West will bring their A-game. I expect Samuelson and Funk to show up as well. That being said -

Mankato West Scarlets over Rochester Lourdes Eagles: 4-2

West jumps out with the early lead and pulls the upset.

Send the Scarlet to the X, and send the Purple home (along with their super-fan...)

[HockeyRoch]

I copied my comment from the Section 1A thread.

I'm looking forward to tonight's game as well. I think it will be a very close game. I don't foresee either team coming out slow in the Section Final. Both teams will be ready to win.

Both teams can score and seem to have one really strong line but I think the deciding factor in the game is going to come down to which team can settle their nerves the fastest and how the goaltenders play.

My prediction is Lourdes over Mankato West 3-2 because they've played in this situation before a couple of times.