A Quarterfinal: Chisago Lakes vs. #3 New Prague
Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 3:02 pm
CHISAGO LAKES VS. #3 NEW PRAGUE
-This isn’t a game that features any big names, but it is a Class A purist’s dream, featuring two small towns with little history of hockey success.
Chisago Lakes (20-8, unranked, 1-seed in 5A)
State appearances: 2 (first since 1995)
Key section win: 5-4 over 2-seed Princeton
-New Prague is a favorable draw for the Wildcats, who came out of a depleted Section 5A. Brandon Gillespie (14), Trevor Lushanko (7), and Blake Lizotte (28) form a productive top line, and while their depth isn’t great, they aren’t the thinnest team in the field, either. Goaltender Jake Dubose (31) has good numbers. They played reasonably well against some mid-level AA teams, so they shouldn’t be blown out, but it’s hard to identify an obvious strength they might ride to an upset.
New Prague (21-4-3, #6, 1-seed in 1A)
First State appearance
Key section win: 3-2 over #7 Mankato West
-The Trojans put together their strongest season in school history this year, and while they lacked the star power of fellow 1A frontrunner Mankato West, they’re into their first Tourney with a gritty, grinding squad that managed to nab the 3-seed. Augie Isaacson (26), Seth Kriha (24), Alex Grigor (10), and Austin Kilian (18) lead the attack. Goaltender Conner Wagner (1) will be key to their hopes, especially if they wind up with a semifinal against Hermantown. They have decent depth and a strong power play, though the penalty kill has been a concern, and they’re going to need to lock down to handle some of the tougher offenses in this field.
-This isn’t a game that features any big names, but it is a Class A purist’s dream, featuring two small towns with little history of hockey success.
Chisago Lakes (20-8, unranked, 1-seed in 5A)
State appearances: 2 (first since 1995)
Key section win: 5-4 over 2-seed Princeton
-New Prague is a favorable draw for the Wildcats, who came out of a depleted Section 5A. Brandon Gillespie (14), Trevor Lushanko (7), and Blake Lizotte (28) form a productive top line, and while their depth isn’t great, they aren’t the thinnest team in the field, either. Goaltender Jake Dubose (31) has good numbers. They played reasonably well against some mid-level AA teams, so they shouldn’t be blown out, but it’s hard to identify an obvious strength they might ride to an upset.
New Prague (21-4-3, #6, 1-seed in 1A)
First State appearance
Key section win: 3-2 over #7 Mankato West
-The Trojans put together their strongest season in school history this year, and while they lacked the star power of fellow 1A frontrunner Mankato West, they’re into their first Tourney with a gritty, grinding squad that managed to nab the 3-seed. Augie Isaacson (26), Seth Kriha (24), Alex Grigor (10), and Austin Kilian (18) lead the attack. Goaltender Conner Wagner (1) will be key to their hopes, especially if they wind up with a semifinal against Hermantown. They have decent depth and a strong power play, though the penalty kill has been a concern, and they’re going to need to lock down to handle some of the tougher offenses in this field.
