Quantcast
skip navigation

Warroad and TRF: Two to tango?

By Tim Kolehmainen, 02/22/10, 12:01PM CST

Share

Section 8A preview: Mariucci rivals are aiming for rematch

Top-seeded Warroad (21-4-0) has had a stranglehold on Section 8A for almost a decade, winning six of the past seven section titles and getting the No. 1 seed again this year. But while the Warriors continue to churn out top players, their depth might be their Achilles’ heel. 

No one argues the firepower of the their top forwards, players such as North Dakota-bound Brock Nelson and linemate Brett Hebel, or the all-around play of All-State defenseman Carson Gray. But does Warroad have enough beyond those top stars to make another run to the X? If the regular season is any indication, it could be a harrowing race.

Warroad has had a consistent pattern this year, winning between three and five games in a row before suffering a setback. It’s happened four times already – and the Warriors enter the playoffs on a season-long five-game winning streak. Coach Albert Hasbargen also has a decision to make in goal, where regular starter Shawn Storey hasn’t played since Jan. 26 because of a knee injury. Is he ready to go? Or will it be sophomore Andy Foster again?

Second-seeded Thief River Falls (17-7-1) appeared ready to grab the top seed entering February, but went 3-3-1 in its final seven games, losing to section foe Crookston and tying East Grand Forks. That opened the door for Warroad to again gain the top seed.

The two programs have plenty of playoff history. Last year, Warroad beat the Prowlers in the section final by a single goal. Two years ago, Warroad won in double overtime in the semifinals. Three years ago, Warroad again won by a single goal in the section finals. Four years ago, Thief River Falls won in four overtimes to get to state. 

You get the idea.

That’s not to say another program couldn’t pull off a shocker.

Third-seeded East Grand Forks (11-13-1) has defeated Warroad and tied Thief River Falls this season, while No. 7 Crookston (7-15-3) upset Thief River Falls. Sixth-seeded Park Rapids (16-7-2) has offensive power and is the Mid-State Conference champion, while No. 5 Lake of the Woods (12-12-1) has a goaltender who can steal a few games in Alex Lyon. And don’t count out Craig Lindegard and No. 4 Kittson Central (16-6-0), the Northwest Conference champions.

Goaltending could be an interesting factor in the Section 8A race. Top-seeded Warroad has been without regular Shawn Storey since he injured his knee Jan. 26 against Crookston. Expected to be out 2-3 weeks, it’s been over that time now since he last was between the pipes. In his absence, sophomore Andy Foster has won seven of eight games. There’s no goaltending dilemma for No. 2 Thief River Falls, which is anchored by the state’s Brimsek Award winner, Zane Gothberg.

Gothberg gets plenty of help from All-State defenseman Jacob Malwitz and crew. Malwitz isn’t a big offensive factor, but he solidifies a defense that is allowing just 1.96 goals per game. Offense from the blue line is more the forte of Warroad’s Carson Gray, Red Lake Falls’ Garrett Schmitz and Park Rapids’ Kevin McMorrow.

Many of Class A’s top-scoring forwards are also plying their skills in the Northwest corner of the state, from Warroad’s Brock Nelson and Brett Hebel to Kittson Central’s Craig Lindegard, East Grand Forks’ Jake Useldinger and the brother duo of Sam Coburn and Tucker Coburn in Park Rapids.

 

Forwards G A Pts
Brock Nelson 39 34 73
Craig Lindegard 44 33 77
Sam Coburn 30 40 70
Micah Ranum 23 8 31
Jake Useldinger 27 25 52
Morgan Terpstra 20 7 27
Defensemen G A Pts
Carson Gray 6 30 36
Garrett Schmitz 22 21 43
Kevin McMorrow 12 23 35
Goalies W-L-T GAA SV%
Zane Gothberg 17-7-1 1.88 .920
Alex Lyon 12-12-1 2.80 .917
Shawn Storey 13-3-0 1.62 .920

Hub prediction

Team Regular Season
 Thief River Falls 17-7-1

Talk to coaches about what’s most important entering the playoffs and they’ll mention two things – hot goaltending and a strong defense – and both are strengths of the Prowlers. Thief River Falls hasn’t allowed more than three goals in a game in almost a month. If the Prowlers can get enough offensive output, they should break the three-year reign of Warroad – and finally exorcise their demons.

 

Bracket buster

Team Regular Season
 Crookston 7-15-3

The seventh-seeded Pirates haven’t had many victories to brag about, but one in particular stands out. Back on Feb. 4, Crookston upset Thief River Falls 1-0 with goalie Nick Biermaier stopping all 30 shots. Assuming the Pirates get through the play-in game against winless Walker-Hackensack-Akeley, their quarterfinal match-up is against the second-seeded Prowlers.

 

Past Champions

2009 – Warroad
2008 – Warroad
2007 – Warroad
2006 – Thief River Falls
2005 – Warroad
2004 – Warroad
2003 – Warroad
2002 – East Grand Forks
2001 – East Grand Forks
2000 – Warroad
1999 – East Grand Forks
1998 – East Grand Forks
1997 – Warroad
1996 – Warroad
1995 – Warroad
1994 – Warroad

 

Related Articles

  • Slaying the giant

  • By Pete Waggoner, Hockey Hub contributor 03/05/2011, 2:42am CST
  • Video: Highlights of Bears stunning Section 4AA final win over Hill-Murray
  • Read More
  • Cadets lift the curse

  • By Michael Murakami, Hockey Hub staff and Andrew Baker, Star Tribune 03/04/2011, 9:30pm CST
  • After two frustrating years, St. Thomas Academy wins elusive section title
  • Read More
  • Blaine goalie likes it loud

  • By Loren Nelson, Editor and David La Vaque Star Tribune 03/04/2011, 8:10pm CST
  • 'Screamin' Nick Malvin leads Bengals to OT upset of top-seeded Maple Grove
  • Read More
  • Questions answered

  • By Justin Magill, Hockey Hub contributor 03/04/2011, 2:15pm CST
  • One year removed from losing 14 seniors, Hermantown is back at state
  • Read More