Davis Zarembinski (7) and Hill-Murray earned the top seed in the Section 4AA playoffs. Photo by Brian Nelson.
Hill-Murray's Mitch Slattery. Photo by Brian Nelson.
After a 5-3 loss to Cretin-Derham Hall on Feb. 7, there was some prognosticating over where White Bear Lake would end up in the Section 4AA seedings.
Not that it mattered.
Bears coach Tim Sager summed it up thusly: "We will probably get the No. 2 or No. 3 seed, but it doesn't matter because in the end, the road will go through Hill-Murray."
Since the sections were realigned in 2007 the Pioneers have owned Section 4AA, winning championships four of the past five seasons.
With a 22-2-1 record they are the heavy favorites to advance to the state tournament for the 27th time and look to avenge a 5-1 loss in the championship game to Benilde-St. Margaret's a year ago in St. Paul.
The Pioneers are led by senior captain Zach Lavalle (22-30--52) and junior Mitch Slattery (23-29--52), who transferred to Hill-Murray from Shattuck-St. Mary's.
Beyond the top line the Pioneers are loaded with depth, which includes eighth-grader Joey Anderson (8-7--15), who has played in only eight games this season, but has contributed nicely since being brought up to the varsity.
For as strong as the Pioneers are on offense, they might be even better on defense.
They have only allowed 37 goals this year, a 1.46 goals-against-average.
Goalie John Dugas is a big reason for that. A finalist for The Frank Brimsek Award, given anually to the state's top senior goalie, Dugas has a 19-2-1 record to go along with a 1.44 goals-against and .938 save-percentage.
Seniors Sam Becker and Ryan Black are the mainstays on the blue line and a big reasons for the teams' stingy defense.
White Bear Lake's Jake Wahlin. Photo by Adam Crane.
Mounds View's Brandon Smith. Photo by Loren Nelson.
No. 7-seed North St. Paul (10-14-1) looks to get to the state tournament for the first time since 1981.
The Polars will be led by the impressive duo of Justin Oliver (17-26--43) and his twin brother Tyler Oliver (16-20--36).The juniors will need to be at the top of their game to upset White Bear Lake in the first round.
North St. Paul has used two goalies down the stretch. Steve Orme (4-0-0) and Mario Bollmann (5-14-1) have split time in net, so it will be interesting to see who will take the No. 1 job in sections. St. Paul Como Park (10-14-0) is the No. 8 seed and takes on Hill-Murray in the quarterfinals. The Cougars do have some scoring punch with Sawyer Scanlan (23-30--43), Tom McCullough (21-19--40) and Mitch McNamee (15-24--39).Hill-Murray will go into sections as the No. 1-ranked team in the state and hands down has the most depth of any team in Section 4AA. It has experienced veterans who were part of last season's state runner-up finish and a bevy of talented underclassmen who have contributed in big ways. Senior John Dugas is considered of the best goalies in the state. If the Pioneers struggle at all to score goals, Dugas can steal a game if needed.
The Titans have one of the fastest skaters in the state in Jake Jackson and can rely on Gabe Splichal in goal. Splichal finished the regular season with a .916 save-percentage. Jackson alone can be a game changer with his speed and goal-scoring touch. He is lined up with Brady O'Sullivan who finished with 36 assists, a majority going to Jackson. Tartan flew under the radar for most of the season despite assembling a 20-4-1 record. The tie was a huge one, as it came late in the regular season against No. 1-ranked (Class 1A) St. Thomas Academy.
2012 – Hill-Murray
2011 – White Bear Lake
2010 – Hill-Murray
2009 – Hill-Murray
2008 – Hill-Murray
2007 – Blaine
2006 – Blaine
2005 – Elk River
2004 – Elk River
2003 – Anoka
2002 – Elk River
2001 – Elk River
2000 – Blaine
1999 – Blaine
1998 – Anoka
1997 – Anoka
1996 – Blaine
1995 – Champlin Park
1994 – Osseo