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Class 1A, Section 4: Dardis, Mahtomedi shut out Chisago Lakes to secure section title

By Drew Herron, SportsEngine, 03/04/22, 9:30PM CST

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Goalie and Brimsek finalist Ben Dardis stopped 29 shots to send the Zephyrs back to the state tournament.

Mahtomedi celebrates another state tournament berth after a 4-0 win over Chisago Lakes in the Class 1A, Section 4 championship game Mar 4. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

Mahtomedi celebrates another state tournament berth after a 4-0 win over Chisago Lakes in the Class 1A, Section 4 championship game on March 4. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

Ben Dardis entered the Roseville Ice Arena Friday evening feeling in a nostalgic mood.

The Mahtomedi senior and Frank Brimsek Award finalist for the state’s top goaltender knew this would be his last section final, and last time playing in a high school rink. 

He moved about deliberately through the pregame, and soaked in what he saw on the other side of the glass. By the end of it, Dardis was exiting the ice to a sea Zephyr faithful, hockey fans, well-wishers and flanked by kids asking him for his stick, all while signing pucks. 

Zephyrs junior David Wolsfeld (4) had two goals Friday against Chisago Lakes at Roseville Ice Arena. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

Zephyrs junior David Wolsfeld (4) had two goals Friday against Chisago Lakes at Roseville Ice Arena. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

First Report

Mahtomedi is headed back to the state tournament after a 4-0 win over Chisago Lakes in the Class 1A, Section 4 final Friday night in Roseville.

Zephyrs leading scorer David Wolsfeld notched the game’s first two goals to help top-seeded Mahtomedi work its way through a tight-first period. In the second, Mahtomedi took control with tremendous pressure and puck movement that third-seeded Chisago Lakes could not quell.

Mahtomedi (16-11-1), ranked No. 4 in the Class 1A coaches' poll from Feb. 23, added two more goals in the span of 14 seconds midway through the second, and Chisago Lakes (21-6-1) was back on its heels the rest of the way. 

Senior goaltender Ben Dardis, a four-year starter and Frank Brimsek Award finalist (which is presented to the state’s top senior goalie), stopped 29 shots to register his fifth shutout of the season. 

The trip will be the sixth in the last eight years for the Zephyrs, who were eliminated in the section final last year by eventual Class 1A champion Gentry Academy. 
 

Chisago Lakes forward Nicholas Helland (9) out-skates Mahtomedi defenders Friday in Roseville. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

Chisago Lakes forward Nicholas Helland (9) out-skates Mahtomedi defenders Friday in Roseville. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

Ben Dardis entered the building at Roseville Ice Arena Friday evening feeling in a nostalgic mood.

The Mahtomedi senior and Frank Brimsek Award finalist for the state’ top goaltender knew this would be his last section final, and last time playing in a high school rink. 

He moved about deliberately through the pregame, and soaked in what he saw on the other side of the glass. By the end of it, Dardis was exiting the ice to a sea Zephyr faithful, hockey fans, well-wishers and flanked by kids asking him for his stick, all while signing pucks. 

There is no doubt, Mahtomedi (16-11-1) is heading back to the Xcel Energy Center. 

Dardis stopped 28 shots for his fifth shutout of the season, and David Wolsfeld scored twice to stamp out third-seed Chisago Lakes 4-0, and reclaim Class 1A, Section 4 and send the Zephyrs to the state tournament for the sixth time in eight years. 

“I took in all the great moments,” he said. “The crowd, the big game atmosphere. And it feels great to come out on top again.”

Mahtomedi worked its way through a heavy opening 17 minutes against Chisago Lakes, whose first line peppered Dardis with occasional threats and scoring chances. The Zephyrs leading scoring David Wolsfeld struck twice, the second of them on the powerplay to take a 2-0 lead.

In the second, Mahtomedi, ranked No. 4-1A according to the Feb. 23 coaches poll, took control and owned the puck as well as the momentum en route to popping in two more. It happened with the help of Cav Bruner’s powerplay, and Patrick Egan’s even-strength goal 14 seconds later, and it left the quickly wearing down WIldcats team with a steep hill to climb. 

Mahtomedi, with its tremendous pressure and puck movement that Chisago Lakes could not quell, left the team a step behind. Moreover, Chisago Lakes, two days removed from a double-overtime win in the semifinal, proved more taxed as physical play mounted, and minutes rolled on. 

“We had to kind of wear them out in the first, then started to get pucks deep and on net,” Wolsfeld said. “That’s what got things going.”

Dardis was the one constant. And also not the only person feeling nostalgic of his waning days of wearing the Mahtmomdi’s navy and gold. 

“I’ve been soaking in being the coach of Ben Dardis for a year, realizing that it's going to end,” Posechel said. “In a lifetime of coaching it sometimes doesn’t happen, but I’ve been fortunate to have had him for four years. He’s a great leader and an unbelievable goaltender.”

One of three finalists for the Brimsek, Dardis is a four year starter, and more or less single handedly won the 2020 Class A state championship for the Zephyrs, and logged nearly 1,300 minutes this winter while leading the state this season in save percentage at .942. 

“Ben’s game speaks for itself,” Posechel says. “He’s consistent and he’s unflappable and nothing bothers him. It’s a luxury for a team to have a goaltender like that behind them. To play knowing that if you make a mistake, Ben’s going to pick them up. His rock solid consistency is priceless.” 

Wolsfeld, who ranked up team leading goals number 21 and 22 in the section final, says Dardis’ confidence is contagious, and his skill unmatched. 

“He’s the best goalie in the state, no doubt,” an exuberant Wolsfeld said of Dardis. “He’s unreal, and the backbone of this team. Mister reliable.”

When Dardis gets to the state tournament, his third trip, the objective for him will remain the same. It never changes. 

“For me, my job will be the same as it always is," he said. "To give my team the best chance possible to win.”


 


Mahtomedi goalie Ben Dardis stares down a 2nd period penalty shot. Dardis recorded yet another shutout in the section championship game. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

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