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Cretin-Derham Hall, with stern goalkeeping, turns back Eastview and makes state

By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune, 03/03/22, 9:15PM CST

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Marko Belak posted a shutout in the section final, and the Raiders will take an 18-game winning streak to Xcel Energy Center.


Cretin-Derham Hall forward Drew Fisher (22) scored on Eastview goaltender Jay Svaren in the second period. Photos by RENEE JONES SCHNEIDER, Star Tribune

First report

Teammates used to call Cretin-Derham Hall goaltender Marko Belak “Mark the Shark.” Lately, they refer to him as Frank.

As in, Frank Brimsek, namesake of the Let’s Play Hockey Senior Goalie of the Year award. Belak, one of three finalists, made his case throughout a 3-0 victory against Eastview in the Class 2A, Section 3 championship game played Thursday at Braemar Arena in Edina.

The No. 1-ranked Raiders (24-3) ride an 18-game winning streak into their first state tournament since 2009.

Brimsek, known as “Mr. Zero,” would have applauded Belak’s flawless 35-save effort.

“Marko is 100 percent the best goalie in the state,” senior wing Drew Fisher said. “No doubt about it. He kept us in this game and made some unbelievable saves.”

Fisher put the Raiders ahead 1-0 in the second period by winning a battle with a defender near the Eastview net. Fisher fought his way to a puck shot from the point. His second swipe of the rebound produced his 27th goal of the season.

A Belak glove save on the Lightning’s John Kisch late in the period helped preserve the goose egg on the scoreboard.

“I felt pretty dialed in,” Belak said. “And my defense was doing a good job of clearing bodies.”

No. 3 seed Eastview (17-11) upset No. 2 St. Thomas Academy 2-1 in double overtime of the semifinals but couldn’t conjure additional playoff magic. Cretin-Derham Hall, meanwhile, received a huge third-period goal from an unlikely source.

Senior forward Gabe Rasmussen tore an ACL in June while playing lacrosse. He diligently rehabilitated the injury and returned to the ice in December, about a month and a half ahead of schedule.

Rasmussen’s seventh goal of the season provided the desired cushion.

“The puck went under his armpit and top shelf,” said Rasmussen, who centers the third line. “It was kind of the dagger, the most uplifting part of the game for us. It told us, 'We’re really about to do this thing.'”

“I wanted to celebrate with him,” Belak said. “But I let him have his moment.”

Fisher later fired goal No. 28 into the empty net with 56.2 seconds remaining.

The game’s first star, however, belonged to Belak. He won his 23rd game of the season (and 60th in his prep career) while improving his goals-against average to 1.57 per game and his saves percentage to .938.

Eastview junior goalie Jay Svaren stopped 45 shots. But it was Belak’s third shutout of the season that made sure Eastview fans jamming the rink’s east bleachers were denied a Lightning strike.

“He’s special,” Raiders coach Matt Funk said. “He will graduate as the best goalie in Cretin-Derham Hall history, and that’s saying a ton.”

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