David La Vaque has covered all but one state hockey tournament game since 2009 and has worked as a Star Tribune high school sports reporter since 2004. His favorite tournament experiences include cheering for alma mater St. Paul Johnson in 1991 and staying for most of the Apple Valley/Duluth East marathon semifinal game in 1996. Loren Nelson has covered every state tournament since 2009 as the national media editor for Sport Ngin. He attended many, many other Tourney games as a high schooler from the far northern reaches of Minnesota making the annual pilgrimage south to the old St. Paul Civic Center in the 1980s.
Day 3 All-Tournament Team
FORWARDS
Ryan Sandelin | Senior | Hermantown
Scored four times, the last goal coming in overtime, as he willed the Hawks to a wild comeback victory over St. Cloud Cathedral. Also looked sharp in the pink bicycle helmet Hermantown’s players bestow on their chosen player of the game.
Keaghan Graeber | Junior | Grand Rapids
Scored a goal, set up another, dished – and took – more than his share of hard hits. Not a bad night for a guy who hadn’t scored a goal in more than a month.
Nick Zwack | Senior | Monticello/Annandale/Maple Lake
Scored the winner with 2.3 seconds left as the Moose rallied to beat Northfield. Also repeatedly sprung teammates free for breakaways and prime scoring chances with his uncanny passing ability.
DEFENSEMEN
John Stampohar | Senior | Grand Rapids
Scored a goal, helped shut down Eden Prairie star Casey Mittelstadt and took the body with authority. Dodged a bullet when Eden Prairie failed to score on his tripping penalty with 1:40 left.
Honza Stibingr | Senior | Monticello/Annandale/Maple Lake
Poise with the puck proved to be crucial, especially in the closing stages of the third. Registered an assist on the tieing goal, had four shots, a hit and two blocked shots.
GOALTENDER
Lance Leonard | Junior | Moorhead
Touted as the best goalie in the state by teammate Carter Randklev, Leonard certainly has been playing his way into the conversation. Finished with 39 saves as the Spuds beat Lakeville South.