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Here's the top returning scorers from each team, as well as top goaltenders, in my predicted order of team finish in Section 1A this year. This list includes everyone that is eligible to return this season, so some players may have left the Section due to playing juniors.

1.Rochester Lourdes Eagles: Clearly the favorite in Section 1A coming into this season, the Eagles return a strong group of young players who won the Class A Consolation in the 2010 State Tournament. They're a quick, fast, finesse type team, as they like to move the puck and beat you with quick passes and odd man situations, but slightly struggle in games with physical play, evident by their 9-0 whooping at the hands of the Warroad Warriors. They rebounded nicely with a 4-2 win over New Ulm and a 2-0 shutout of Virginia, winning the Consolation Tournament. This is a very young, but experienced group of players, one that has a good chance at representing Section 1A in Saint Paul for the next couple of years.

Top Returning Goaltender:
Senior #30 Nick Heimer 11-7-2, 2.49 GAA, .871 Save Percentage

Top Returning Scorers:
Senior Defensman #21 Rory Vesel 6-26-32
Sophomore Forward #20 Alex Funk 15-14-29
Sophomore Forward #4 Jason Samuelson 13-15-28
Senior Forward #23 Brian Wasz 8-10-18

2.Faribault Falcons: The Falcons faltered in the Section 1A semifinals last season to Red Wing, a disappointing finish to a season that had high expectations and promise. They'll be hurt by graduation, and from rumors, possibly by juniors as well. Faribault has talented forwards who can do it all, they like to play a more physical style than the Eagles, but they have some very skilled forwards as well.

Top Returning Goaltender:
Senior #30 Aaron Forgaard 12-3-0 2.42 GAA .894 Save Percentage

Top Returning Scorers:
Senior Forward #14 Sean Lipinski 24-22-46
Senior Forward #21 Jack Helegson 11-17-28
Senior Defenseman #18 Colbey Hullett 2-14-16
Senior Defenseman #7 Brandon Teske 2-7-9

3.Mankato West Scarlets: The Scarlets had a rough start to last season, and they grew together as the year went on to put on a pretty decent end to the season, with some good hockey late in the year. They return 5 of the top 6 forwards, including #10 Drew Weber who missed almost the entire regular season last year with an injury. The Scarlets have young defenseman, including two juniors, a sophomore, and a freshmen. The Scarlets have pretty good team speed, but sometimes struggle to score.

Top Returning Goaltender:
Senior #33 Jake Kaufman 11-14-1, 2.96 GAA .896 Save Percentage

Top Returning Scorers:
Senior Forward #22 Nate Olsen 9-15-24
Junior Forward #27 Landon Brown 12-5-17
Junior Forward #18 Tyler Resner 8-8-16
Senior Forward #14 Andrew Frentz 7-7-14

4.Albert Lea Tigers: Coach Roy Nystrom loses some key players to graduation, but returns arguably one of the most talented players in Section 1A in #12 Eric Carlson. This looks to be another typical hardworking, gritty Albert Lea team, with one talented line of forwards who will produce a majority of the scoring. The Tigers have a large question mark in goal this season, as they graduated two last year.

Top Returning Goaltender:
Senior #30 Darien Weigel 0 games played

Top Returning Scorers:
Junior Forward #12 Eric Carlson 28-16-44
Senior Forward #10 Dillon Stolt 16-17-33
Junior Forward #14 Levi Hacker 8-8-16
Senior Defenseman #3 David enstad 2-8-10

5.New Prague Trojans: Coach Chris Lonke will return a rather defensive group, as goaltender Joe Morris had a surprisingly superb season last year. The Trojans lose their top two forwards from a year ago, which will hurt a team that had a little trouble scoring last season, only averaging only 2.6 goals a game. New Prague's success will likely be determined by how well they play in close games, as they should have a chance to win night in and night out with Morris between the pipes.

Returning Goaltender:
Junior #1 Joe Morris, 12-7-2, 2.15 GAA, .911 Save Percentage

Top Returning Scorers:
Senior Forward #3 Cole Mason 11-7-18
Senior Defenseman #5 Zach Adams 5-12-17
Sophomore Forward #6 Cody Meyer 3-13-16
Junior Forward #27 Jordan Holicky 8-3-11


6.Northfield Raiders: Radiers Coach Bryce Barry saw his squad much improved from the 2008-2009 campign, and he looks to continue that progression again this year. Northfield returns some good forwards, one of the best in #15 Andrew Scofield. They will need solid goaltending, but the Raiders could be a Darkhorse in Section 1A.

Top Returning Goaltender:
Senior #30 Nathan Finger 7-11-1, 3.15 GAA, .883 Save Percentage
Junior #1 Issak Tjaden 2-4-1 3.92 GAA, .863 Save Percentage

Top Returning Scorers:
Sophomore Forward #15 Andrew Scofield 17-11-28
Junior Forward #13 Kody Beckers 7-12-19
Senior Forward #21 Michael Vogel 9-8-17
Senior Defenseman #3 Jared Docken 4-9-13


7.Red Wing Wingers: The Wingers enter the season with a new head coach in Dan Belisle. He will inherit a Wingers team that loses their best player to private school recruting, and a team that graduated 90+ percent of their scoring from the previous year. Goaltending was an issue at times last season, which could likely continue again this year. The Wingers have potential to make some noise in Section 1A, but will need some young players to step up in order for Red Wing to be successful.

Top Returning Goaltender:
Senior #1 Sam Amendolar 13-13-0, 3.91 GAA, .854 GAA

Top Returning Scorers:
Junior Defenseman #25 Jack Strusz 5-7-12
Junior Forward #5 Marcus Noesen 5-4-9
Junior Forward #23 Mike Stegora 2-4-6
Junior Defenseman #2 Dayton Johnson 0-4-4

8.Waseca Blue Jays: Blue Jays Coach Chris Prescott enjoyed a much improved Waseca squad from a year ago, and they look to build off of last seasons success once again. The Blue Jays lack depth at every position, but they do have some decent players who will help the Blue Jays try and compete come playoff time.

Top Returning Goaltender:
Sophomore #33 Austin Stroda, 14 min varsity experience

Top Returning Scorers:
Senior Forward #8 Blake Malecha 25-27-52
Senior Forward #2 Pat O'Neil 14-17-31
Senior Forward #31 Brad McIntosh 13-18-31
Senior Forward #10 Carter Hansen 3-7-10

9.St. Peter/LeSuer/Henderson Bulldogs: The Bulldogs have struggled for years, and this season looks to be no different. The bright sport for the Bulldogs is in goaltender #1 Chris Amsden. He may become a Dooley(Austin) type goaltender. If he can step up and play out of his mind, the Bulldogs may steal a game or two from opponents that should beat them. The Bulldogs lack scoring and defense, and look to improve in both areas this season.

Top Returning Goaltender:
Sophomore #1 Chris Amsden 2-15-0, 5.63 GAA, .879 Save Percentage

Top Returning Scorers:
Junior Forward #3 Jack Swanberg 18-5-23
Junior Forward #20 Jordan Wilmes 7-5-12
Sophomore Forward #5 Brock Solomon 1-7-8
Senior Forward #14 Nathan Tiede 4-3-7

10.Austin Packers: Austin was greatly improved from the 2008-2009 year in which they were winless. Austin will struggle yet again this year, without goaltender Aaron Dooley and their top scoring line. They will struggle in all aspects of the game, and will have to use this season as a learning experience for the younger guys in the program to try and salvage it sometime in the future.

Top Returning Goaltender:
Senior #1 Alex Sheldon, 39 min, 6.54 GAA, .872 Save Percentage

Top Returning Scorers:
Sophomore Defenseman #11 Marcus Stoulil 11-4-15
Senior Defenseman #3 Josh Detwiler 2-4-6
Senior Forward #6 Josh Hart 3-2-5
Senior Forward #29 Devin McCune 5-0-5

11.Mankato East Cougars: With only 15 players, no JV team, and a huge hit from graduation, the Cougars will be learning and trying to somehow rebuild their program this season. They return three players with any varsity experience at all, and only one goal scored among those three, and three points amongst them. The lone bright spot for the Cougars will be in net behind #30 Lucas Weihe. He will be tested often all season, and will be the Cougars only change at winning a game this year.

Top Returning Goaltender:
Junior #30 Lucas Weihe, 4-13-0, 4.70 GAA, .860 Save Percentage
Senior #1 Dylan Meyer, 5-2-0, 5.58 GAA, .829 Save Percentage

Top Returning Scorers:
Senior Defenseman #16 Derrick Davis 1-0-1
Sophomore Forward #3 Nick Yess 0-1-1
Sophomore Forward #24 Brent Adams 0-1-1

Just wondering if there are any scrimmages tomorrow in Mankato? They have done this in the past, but I don't think they did it last year.

scarlethockey33 wrote:

About West - they have a new Finnish player

Will be quite the addition if all things expected are met. He could possibly give West 2 solid scoring lines with Frentz and Weber. Along with their top scoring line from last year which included Resner, Olsen and Brown.

All that is truly in question is West's defense and if West's defense is in doubt that means that goalie Kaufman will need to definitely step up his game for West to be a complete team.

West plays New Prague on the 30th, any other section games coming up?

Northfield and Albert Lea play on the 2nd

Mankato West's Finnish exchange student (Ville Rantanen) seems to have some nice scoring ability.
Back in his Finnish league (Jr. B I-divisioona), in 08-09' he recorded 23g 33a in 25 games.
Now I can't really tell you how this league measures up to high school hockey, but I think with the competition in the Big 9 and 1A it can't be much better or worst.

source: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=40349

Faribault 5-3 over Dodge County.
Rochester Lourdes: 5 New Richmond(WI): 1

Any predictions for tomorrows games?

Mayo @ Red Wing
West @ New Prague
Waseca @ Albert Lea
Austin @ New Ulm
Winona @ La Crescent

I like the Mayo v. Red Wing match up and the West v. New Prague match up I think those games could be decided by one goal (not including empty nets).

Personally

Mayo over Red Wing
West over Prague
Albert Lea over Wascea
New Ulm over Austin
Winona over La Crescent

lock'em up, going 5 for 5

scarlethockey33 wrote:I like the Mayo v. Red Wing match up and the West v. New Prague match up I think those games could be decided by one goal (not including empty nets).

Personally

Mayo over Red Wing
West over Prague
Albert Lea over Wascea
New Ulm over Austin
Winona over La Crescent

lock'em up, going 5 for 5

Red Wing:4 Mayo:3
West:4 New Prague:2 ENG
Albert Lea:8 Waseca:2
New Ulm: 11 Austin: 0
Winona: 5 La Crescent: 2

good luck to all of the section teams who are starting play tomorrow!

people underestimate NP big time

NP:4 even strength goals
1 shorthanded

West: 3 powerplay goals
1 even strength

i think NP had 13 or 14 penalties and west had 2 at most


final: 5-4 OT. NP

There was a 5 minute stretch opening the second period when New Prague absolutely dominated play, West could not get the puck out of their zone and New Prague had a number of chances. West's goalie did a great job in holding off New Prague until they finally scored one, then New Prague goes and gives it right back. New Prague's kids need to learn to stay out of the box. The last five minutes of the third was a continual West power play, with two 5-on-3 opportuntities.

Definitely West's game to lose vs. New Prague, West played better and was the more discipline team. Zach Adams looked great for New Prague. Weber looked equally as good for West, after not playing last season. Looking back at the game, West came out better than New Prague but couldn't sustain it.

Interesting stats for the game the top scoring line last season for west (Resner, Brown, Olsen) went a combined -5 in the plus minus. That means every single score for New Prague this line was out there, even including the short handed goal. Weber's line (Rantanen?, Frentz, Weber) went a combined +4 in plus minus.

West at different times in the game looked slow in the transition game and it caused New Prague to have the step on them to move into that 2 on 1 situation or that breakaway. Kaufman played a good game, he didn't have many mistakes that could've been solely blamed on himself. Both goalies in this game had some great momentum shifting saves.

Nothing much more to add, but the Special Teams were a huge factor in this game. New Prague is gonna have to cool down their players as some seem to have loss their composure throughout the game.

I think this shows that New Prague has a good team when they are not in penalty trouble.

Also interesting stats above, shows the lack of depth in West's line up. The Finnish player was phenomonal, definitely someone you are gonna wanna keep a watchful eye on.

Should be two intersting teams to follow throughout the year.

Any surprises tonight?

La Crescent 6 Winona 3
Mayo 2 Red Wing 1

The games last night weren't surprising other than LaCrescent winning 6-3, is winona just that bad this year?

From what I can tell it sounds like you could definitely tell this was West's first game. I don't think they even had any scrimmages this year either? That game could be a huge one come seeding time. New Prague is definitely going to need to tone down on the penalties to be a competitor in this section. West is going to need that second line to figure it out, it sounds like they weren't nearly as impressive as last season. While it may show a lack of depth, I still think it's early to call it that, as it could be a thing where if that line figures it out, this West team may be a contender as well.

Red Wing is gona struggle scoring, it sounds like they don't really have a guy who knows how to finish.

Although it was Waseca, impressive start for Carlson last night.

Poor east..

Wow a hat trick for Rantanen in his first Minnesota hockey game, it will be intersting to see if he can keep it up.

I'm pretty sure the finnish kid will, west plays waconia tomorrow and then winona on saturday

Just a great game. Period. A ninth grader scores an OT game winner in his first HS game. The Finnish exchange student puts up a hat trick in his first game at all in this country. Two pretty decent teams go at it for almost 60 minutes. Great fans, and lots of them, for both teams. I mean, what else do you want?

I'd say the good news for West is that they can play better. Resner's line put up good numbers last year, and they should improve this season. West looked a bit rusty, maybe partly because they cancelled thier scrimmages to allow for the football players to finish the season (and five of the top six forwards played fb, getting almost no ice time until mid-November). Time will tell, I guess.

For NP, they still throw a lot of good players at you. Coach Lonke is obviously thinking about a run at the section title (even though all roads go through Lourdes), and Morris is in his third year in the nets. Just think if Ambroz was still in school...

OU812 wrote:Just a great game. Period. A ninth grader scores an OT game winner in his first HS game. The Finnish exchange student puts up a hat trick in his first game at all in this country. Two pretty decent teams go at it for almost 60 minutes. Great fans, and lots of them, for both teams. I mean, what else do you want?

I'd say the good news for West is that they can play better. Resner's line put up good numbers last year, and they should improve this season. West looked a bit rusty, maybe partly because they cancelled thier scrimmages to allow for the football players to finish the season (and five of the top six forwards played fb, getting almost no ice time until mid-November). Time will tell, I guess.

For NP, they still throw a lot of good players at you. Coach Lonke is obviously thinking about a run at the section title (even though all roads go through Lourdes), and Morris is in his third year in the nets. Just think if Ambroz was still in school...

And Lapic..

Just think if Ambroz was still in school...

it's weird to think that Ambroz is projected to be drafted 12th overall in the 2011 early NHL mock drafts

As for West's second line, they need to shape up. West needs this second line to start clicking if West is going to compete in this section they will need to be able to run at least six-seven guys off the bench to be considered competition with teams like Faribault and Lourdes.

Did both teams roll 3 lines all night? Who was on the 3rd line for West? Did the teams go any deeper than 4 D men?

scarlet.. you must really not get hockey.. saying west out played NP is a joke even considering np had almost 2 periods worth of penalty minutes. 5 on 5 west didnt have a prayer. there d struggled

both teams rolled 3 lines and played 6 d

West rarely rolls out their 3rd line, you saw them sparsely maybe a hand full of times, I wanna say about five or six shifts.

I believe only one person from the third line #17 center Ty Mata played a full varsity year last year for West and he was also seen playing wing for the first power play unit as Weber manned the point.

otherwise the other two wingers for west are #6 brady lawrence and #9 tanner johnson both played a couple of games for west according to the info from hockeyhub's 2009-2010 stats.

West rolled 5 d last night #11, 19, 41, 29 and 23

thats for west's side at least not sure about new prague

Games tommorow night 12/2

Faribault @ Providence Academy
Albert Lea @ Northfield

Faribault @ Providence Academy
Albert Lea @ Northfield

Albert Lea game will be an interesting one and also

West @ Waconia