Class A QF #4 seed 4A Mahtomedi (17-11-0) vs #5 seed 2A Orono (20-8-0)
Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:43 pm
#4 Seed (4A) Mahtomedi Zephyrs (17-11-0)
Mahtomedi enters the state tournament for the 7th time in the last 8 years and for their 15th appearance overall. The Zephyrs have prepared themselves for another deep tournament run by playing a schedule filled with tough AA teams that has taught them the way they need to play to win these tough games come March. They have come on strong late in the year as they are (14-4-0) since they beat Orono in late December and they will be looking to defend their State Title this week.
Zephyrs Leaders- Seniors #8 Jake Hodd-Chlebeck (22-25-47 pts), #22 Gene Wegleitner (11-22-33 pts)& #17 Patrick Egan (15-7-22 pt) and Sophomore #21 Jimmy Egan (9-36-45 pts) lead the forward group for Mahtomedi. On the blueline Junior #6 Sam Harris (5-22-27 pts) leads a veteran group of big defenders that all are 6 '0 ft and above in height and who take away time and space well.
Zephyrs Goalies- Senior # 30 Charlie Brandt (10-6-0) 3.23 GAA .898 SV% & Junior #35 Wes Strub (7-5-0) 1.98 GAA .929 SV% have split the net down the middle most of the year and the rotation has continued into the playoffs so far.
Zephyrs Recent Tourney Success- Mahtomedi historically had struggled to find success at the Tourney as they had never been able to reach the championship game despite making the Tourney 11 times from 1992-2019. However, things changed dramatically once the calendar flipped to 2020 as they have now gone (8-1-0) in their last three state appearances which includes two State Titles in the last 4 years. They enter this State Tournament having been questioned throughout the year as to how good this team really was but based on what we have seen recently from them the Zephyrs should be considered a title contender until proven otherwise.
Zephyrs Special Teams- The Power Play is at 22.4% and Penalty Kill is at 83.2%
#5 seed (2A) Orono Spartans (20-8-0)
Orono enters the state tournament for the 2nd straight year and 11th time overall. The Spartans have been one of the best teams in Class A all year. They did go through a little struggle in the middle part of the season as they were hit with a bad rash of injuries. However, they were able to develop more depth during that time and now they are healthy. They come in rolling having gone (7-2-0) in the month of February and they look primed to contend for the program’s 2nd ever State Title this week.
Spartans Leaders- Sophomores #34 Jackson Knight (20-22-42 pts.) & #16 Rory Kvern (15-14-29 pts) and Seniors #6 Easton Sankey (13-12-25 pts.), #22 Tommy Lewin (9-14-23 pts) lead a very deep Orono offense. Seniors #27 Joey Mugaas (10-24-34 pts) & #5 John Engebretson (5-20-25 pts) leads a very good defensive unit and these two are as good of a defensive pair that you will see at the Tourney.
Spartans Goalie- Senior #30 Peyton Anderson (15-7-0) 1.92 GAA .910 SV% has really come on strong down the stretch and been rock solid in the net for Orono as the Spartans turned it on in the 2nd half he has been excellent in goal.
Spartans Depth- The Spartans are one of the deeper Class A teams in the State. Once they were able to get healthy they have been able to play 4 lines and 3 pairs of defense which allows them to stay fresh and just wear out the opponent which can be illustrated in the fact that they are outscoring teams 48-26 in the 3rd period on the year and through three playoff games they have outscored teams 5-0 during the third to put games away. It's nothing flashy, but Orono is just a physical and hardworking team that plays a very heavy game that continually comes at you line after line until they wear you down and if they stay out of the box they can be very successful and make Tourney run.
Spartans Special Teams- The Power Play is at 25.6% and Penalty Kill is at 85.9%
Mahtomedi enters the state tournament for the 7th time in the last 8 years and for their 15th appearance overall. The Zephyrs have prepared themselves for another deep tournament run by playing a schedule filled with tough AA teams that has taught them the way they need to play to win these tough games come March. They have come on strong late in the year as they are (14-4-0) since they beat Orono in late December and they will be looking to defend their State Title this week.
Zephyrs Leaders- Seniors #8 Jake Hodd-Chlebeck (22-25-47 pts), #22 Gene Wegleitner (11-22-33 pts)& #17 Patrick Egan (15-7-22 pt) and Sophomore #21 Jimmy Egan (9-36-45 pts) lead the forward group for Mahtomedi. On the blueline Junior #6 Sam Harris (5-22-27 pts) leads a veteran group of big defenders that all are 6 '0 ft and above in height and who take away time and space well.
Zephyrs Goalies- Senior # 30 Charlie Brandt (10-6-0) 3.23 GAA .898 SV% & Junior #35 Wes Strub (7-5-0) 1.98 GAA .929 SV% have split the net down the middle most of the year and the rotation has continued into the playoffs so far.
Zephyrs Recent Tourney Success- Mahtomedi historically had struggled to find success at the Tourney as they had never been able to reach the championship game despite making the Tourney 11 times from 1992-2019. However, things changed dramatically once the calendar flipped to 2020 as they have now gone (8-1-0) in their last three state appearances which includes two State Titles in the last 4 years. They enter this State Tournament having been questioned throughout the year as to how good this team really was but based on what we have seen recently from them the Zephyrs should be considered a title contender until proven otherwise.
Zephyrs Special Teams- The Power Play is at 22.4% and Penalty Kill is at 83.2%
#5 seed (2A) Orono Spartans (20-8-0)
Orono enters the state tournament for the 2nd straight year and 11th time overall. The Spartans have been one of the best teams in Class A all year. They did go through a little struggle in the middle part of the season as they were hit with a bad rash of injuries. However, they were able to develop more depth during that time and now they are healthy. They come in rolling having gone (7-2-0) in the month of February and they look primed to contend for the program’s 2nd ever State Title this week.
Spartans Leaders- Sophomores #34 Jackson Knight (20-22-42 pts.) & #16 Rory Kvern (15-14-29 pts) and Seniors #6 Easton Sankey (13-12-25 pts.), #22 Tommy Lewin (9-14-23 pts) lead a very deep Orono offense. Seniors #27 Joey Mugaas (10-24-34 pts) & #5 John Engebretson (5-20-25 pts) leads a very good defensive unit and these two are as good of a defensive pair that you will see at the Tourney.
Spartans Goalie- Senior #30 Peyton Anderson (15-7-0) 1.92 GAA .910 SV% has really come on strong down the stretch and been rock solid in the net for Orono as the Spartans turned it on in the 2nd half he has been excellent in goal.
Spartans Depth- The Spartans are one of the deeper Class A teams in the State. Once they were able to get healthy they have been able to play 4 lines and 3 pairs of defense which allows them to stay fresh and just wear out the opponent which can be illustrated in the fact that they are outscoring teams 48-26 in the 3rd period on the year and through three playoff games they have outscored teams 5-0 during the third to put games away. It's nothing flashy, but Orono is just a physical and hardworking team that plays a very heavy game that continually comes at you line after line until they wear you down and if they stay out of the box they can be very successful and make Tourney run.
Spartans Special Teams- The Power Play is at 25.6% and Penalty Kill is at 85.9%