Anoka started December losing three of its first five games, but the Tornadoes have reversed course to end the month riding a hot streak that was ignited with Dec. 18 win over a Blaine team ranked No. 5 in the Class 2A coaches' poll. The Bengals are also a rival in the Northwest Suburban Conference and Section 5. 

“It was big to get that win before Christmas break. It’s led us to this roll we’re on now,” senior Michael Talbot said. “It set the bar high for us, and we just try to meet that standard every time we're on the ice.”

Talbot exceeded expectations Wednesday afternoon, scoring a goal and dishing out four assists as the Tornadoes won their fifth straight game following a 7-2 victory over Bloomington Kennedy in the Schwan Cup Bronze Division championship at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. 

Totaling nine points in the three-day tournament, Talbot notched eight of his points in the final two games to finish as the division’s points leader.

Anoka (8-3), ranked No. 17 in the Class 2A coaches' poll, returned 10 seniors from a team that fell to St. Michael-Albertville 4-1 in last December's Bronze Division championship.

Those seniors include Talbot, Blake Neumann and Reese Grailer, three members of the Tornadoes soccer team that won its second straight Class 2A title in November. 

Anoka coach Todd Manthey said Talbot is sometimes too calm on the ice, a trait that’s common among the team's players who have been chiseled through competitive play on the soccer pitch.

“He doesn’t get rattled, sees the ice well and typically makes the right decision. He’s a very calming influence out there,” Manthey said.

Talbot, the Anoka hockey team's returning leading scorer, displayed his cool demeanor on the final goal of the first period. He pushed the puck through the skates of Kennedy's Adam Vodovnik and pulled it across the crease of Eagles goaltender Jimmy Mrozek for an easy walk-in goal.

“I told my left wing, ‘We’re gonna push it through. Go back door.' I pushed it through and all three of their guys tied up my left wing, so I just pulled it around and was lucky enough to slide it in,” Talbot said.

The building fell silent after what proved to be the game-winning goal. Tornadoes' fans had just settled down from celebrating Carter Perry’s go-ahead goal 1 minute, 31 seconds before, a score on which Talbot assisted.

The goal capped a dominant period in which Anoka held a 26-8 advantage over No. 18-1A Kennedy (8-6).

Neumann said the coaches emphasized getting shots on net early and taking short shifts after the team played the past two days.

“We definitely harp on getting the puck to the point and getting shots on net. It’s hard to lose a game when you get 26 shots in a period, unless the goalie is standing on his head, but we just kept firing and crashed for rebounds and it worked out tonight,” he said.

Mrozek certainly did on several plays in the opening period as he stopped 23 shots.

Talbot finished with assists on three of the Tornadoes’ final four goals and credited his teammates for being in the right place at the right time as much as him finding them.

It is a mutual result reminiscent of the state soccer championship, in which Talbot played a key role.

A scrum in the corner of the field mitigated as Talbot sent a swing kick into the box that led to the game-winning header as Anoka defeated East Ridge in a game where the Tornadoes were regarded as an underdog.

Both Neumann and Talbot find there's no difference for the hockey team, as the Tornadoes are overshadowed by Blaine and other perennial powers Centennial and Maple Grove in the Northwest Suburban and Section 5.

“We know we're the underdogs and that’s what keeps us striving,” Neumann said.

Beating the Bengals twice and tying once the past two seasons, Anoka continues to fight for supremacy in the Northwest Suburban as preparation for the playoffs.

“We want to be relevant - let people think what they want to think - and then let them figure out wrong,” Neumann said.

This tournament title added to Talbot’s career and Anoka’s trophy case will only garner the Tornadoes more attention amongst the north metro’s top-tier teams, a challenge they willingly take on.

“We know we have to bring it every single game. Teams are out to get us and we’re out to get them - it’s a huge motivator,” Talbot said.


Anoka forward Taylor O'Neill (27) had a goal and an assist for the Tornadoes. Photo by Nick Wosika

First Report

Senior Michael Talbot’s five-point performance clinched Anoka's 7-2 victory over Bloomington Kennedy in the Schwan Cup Bronze Division championship Wednesday afternoon at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis.
 
The Tornadoes (8-3), ranked No. 17 in the Class 2A coaches' poll, outshot the No. 18-1A Eagles 48-26 en route to their fifth straight win.
 
Sophomore Carter Perry found the back of the net to put Anoka ahead midway through the first period. 
 
Talbot scored his lone goal just 1 minute, 31 seconds later. Off a faceoff, Talbot pushed the puck through the skates of Kennedy's Adam Vodovnik before pulling it to his backhand and putting it past Eagles goaltender Jimmy Mrozek.
 
Kennedy (8-6) found a quick goal to start the second as senior Jory McWilliams sniped the top-right corner over Tornadoes goaltender Brendan Corbin, but Anoka followed with four goals, including three on which Talbot notched assists.
 
Ben Obermeyer relieved Mrozek in the second period and finished saving 13 of 15 shots. 
 
Corbin earned the win, stopping 10 of 12 shots. He was relieved by senior Spencer Olson, who made 14 saves to shut out the Eagles in the final 23 minutes of play.

Bloomington Kennedy’s Jory McWilliams scored a power play early in the 2nd period. Photo by Nick Wosika

Spotlight Game Coverage