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Hudson claims the Bronze Division title by slaying Minnehaha Academy

By Trevor Squire, SportsEngine, 12/27/17, 11:45PM CST

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Jordan Halverson and Cole Danielson each scored two goals for the Raiders.


Hudson celebrates a second-period goal from Bennett Schrank (16) during Thursday's 7-2 victory over Minnehaha Academy at RIdder Arena. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

Hudson, Wisconsin’s defending state champion, looked forward to the Schwan’s Cup as a primer for its state tournament where the Raiders would play three games in three days. 

Hudson repeated its state title-clinching run and pieced together three straight wins for its first holiday tournament trophy in program history following its 7-2 dismantling of Minnehaha Academy in the Silver Division final Thursday afternoon at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis.

Ranked the top team in the Wisconsin coaches’ poll, the Raiders (10-0) hadn’t allowed a goal in three straight games. That run was quickly put to rest as Redhawks (7-3-1, 0-1-0) forward David Diem rocketed a shot from the point that found twine past Raiders goaltender Alex Cohen.

After Hudson scored three goals to close the first period, Matt Mullinix scored on a breakaway on the penalty kill to bring the Redhawks back within a goal early in the second period. Despite the single-goal deficit, Minnehaha Academy had already become frustrated with the Raiders' pace when they outshot the Redhawks 20-3 in the opening period.

“This game was a little more chippy,” senior forward Cole Danielson said. “They weren’t happy because they didn’t face this big of a test in the tournament. We just came out, played hard and got to them.”

Danielson cashed in on a rebound he created off a feed from Joe Martin to put his team back ahead by two with seven minutes left in the middle period. Bennett Schrank scored off the ensuing faceoff nine seconds later to put the Raiders ahead 5-2. 

The Redhawks committed five penalties the rest of the game for 18 total minutes. Hudson, despite its success 5-on-5, wasn’t able to capitalize on special teams.

“We didn’t take advantage on special teams, but the guys came together in the three days, faced a little adversity getting scored on and coming back,” Raiders coach Brooks Lockwood said.

Lockwood, a Hudson native, won the town’s first state title in 2001. He said the youth program has had its crops of talented players, but keeping them has been a challenge this group has overcame.

“There’s always a temptation to play at the local private schools but this group has stuck together and stayed in their hometown the past five-six years,” he said. 

This year’s group showed it camaraderie after the game, as the team gathered in the hallway waiting on a teammate who had been injured late in the game.

Entering 2018 undefeated, the Raiders aim to draw from its holiday success and make another postseason run as Wisconsin’s best team.

“It’s a big confidence builder,” Danielson said. “We grind everyday and condition, so it wasn’t that big of a deal (playing three straight games) but it was a good test.”


Hudson forward Cole Danielson and Minnehaha's Hunter Greshowak battle for the puck along the boards behind the net during the second period Thursday. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

First Report

Jordan Halverson and Cole Danielson scored two goals apiece, while Ben Lundeen tallied three assists on his teammates' goals to lead Hudson to a 7-2 victory over Minnehaha Academy in the Schwan’s Cup Bronze Division championship at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon.

Ranked the top team in the Wisconsin coaches’ poll, the Raiders (10-0) scored three unanswered goals after the Redhawks (7-3-1, 0-1-0) came within a goal after a Matt Mullinix shorthanded goal early in the middle period.

Hudson goaltender Alex Cohen stopped nine of 11 shots he faced in net, while Minnehaha Academy’s Corey Hendrickson made 39 saves.

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