Quantcast
skip navigation

Burnsville survives scary finish

By Loren Nelson, Editor, 01/13/11, 11:22AM CST

Share

Blaze hold off Apple Valley in wild third period after leading by four


Burnsville senior Mike Dockry scored what proved to be the game-winning goal into an empty net in the third period. Photo by Helen Nelson


Burnsville's Mike Dockry celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning goal in the third period. Photo by Helen Nelson

 It was the third period, and Burnsville was gassed -- running on fumes.

To make matters more tenuous, top Blaze defenseman Sean Madigan had been knocked out of the game with an injury.
 
And now Apple Valley was storming back. Eagles defenseman Derek Smith scored a goal, then another, then another.
 
“We were able to hang in there,” Burnsville coach Janne Kivihalme said after escaping the Apple Valley Sports Arena with a 5-4 victory over the Eagles on Thursday, Jan. 13, “we’ll take that as a positive thing.”
 
Positives? There were plenty for the Blaze in the first period. Mike Dockry, Burnsville’s leading goal-scorer, produced some a highlight-reel footage when he punctuated a goal with a headfirst dive over Apple Valley goaltender Aaron Gretz.
 
Jace Childs, another Blaze scoring standout, was standing behind the goal along the end boards when he banked the puck off Gretz and into the net.
 
Cory Chapman, yet another high-scoring Burnsville forward, made it look as easy as 1-2-3 when he scored from close range after a face-off.
 
“Really, we weren’t doing anything special,” Kivihalme said about Burnsville’s fast start. “We just played our hockey. Our goal was to play all three periods that way.”

Burnsville senior defenseman Sean Madigan suffered an injury in the second period and did not return in the third. Photo by Helen Nelson

The game started to unravel for Burnsville (8-3-2) late in the second period at precisely the moment Madigan, a slick-skating, puck-moving senior, blocked a shot in the midsection while killing and Apple Valley power play. Despite being in obvious pain, Madigan stayed on the ice and continued his shift until the puck finally left the zone.
 
“He got hit in the privates,” Kivihalme said about Madigan’s injury. “That can be dangerous.”
 
Burnsville escaped the second period with its 3-0 lead intact, but Apple Valley (9-4-0) spent the break scheming its comeback. Eagles coach Jerry Hayes reminded his players about a Blaze loss to Holy Angels during the holiday break. Burnsville led 5-2 entering the third period before losing 6-5.
 
“We said, ‘Hey, let’s get the first one,' ” Hayes said about the third-period plan. “And then they get the first one. So, what do I know?”
 
Freshman defenseman Teemu Kivihalme, Janne’s son, scored less than a minute into the third to put Burnsville ahead 4-0.
 
Then it was Smith, a defenseman who had scored once all season, taking over the closing minutes. He scored his three goals in a span of 5:30. A senior who plays a stay-at-home style on team that features scoring standouts A.J. Michaelson and Hudson Fasching, Smith wouldn’t be the first – or second or third – choice when predicting who might notch a hat trick.
 
“Not Smitty,” said Dockry, who scored what proved to be the winner with 4:27 left. “But his shots were going in. He was getting the bounces.”
 
Apple Valley pulled within one with 16 seconds left on a goal by Tate Erickson.
 
“We need to come with more intensity,” Smith said. “It is always good to win the third period. Again, it gets to the point where that’s not good enough.”
 
The Eagles, who could have taken the lead in the South Suburban Conference with a victory, instead dropped to fourth place. Burnsville sits alone in first place after the win.

Quick Pic


Apple Valley's Hudson Fasching, right, steps into Burnsville's Eddie Wittchow. Photo by Helen Nelson

Statistics, Summary

Photo Gallery

Game Recap

 Burnsville senior Mike Dockry scored two goals, including the game winner with 4 minutes, 27 seconds left in the third period, as the Blaze held on to beat Apple Valley 5-4 on Thursday, Jan. 13, at the Apple Valley Sports Arena.

The Blaze (8-3-2) led 4-0 after freshman defenseman Teemu Kivihalme scored less than a minute into the third period.
 
Apple Valley (9-4-0) rallied in the third behind three goals from senior Derek Smith, who enter the game having scored once all season.
 
The Eagles’ high-scoring forward duo of Hudson Fasching and A.J. Michaelson was held to a combined one assist.
 
Burnsville senior goaltender Bodhi Engum frustrated Apple Valley through two-plus periods with his stellar play. He finished with 35 saves.
 
Apple Valley senior goaltender Aaron Gretz made 28 saves.
 
The Blaze held on for the win while playing the third period without the services of senior Sean Madigan. The defenseman was injured blocking a shot in the second period.
 

Three Stars

1. Mike Dockry, Burnsville
The senior forward opened the scoring in the first period with a gorgeous goal that culminated with a headfirst dive over Apple Valley goaltender Aaron Gretz. Dockry then banged home what proved to be the game winner with 4:27 left in the third on a goal that was more gritty than pretty. Dockry has a team-best 15 goals this season.
 
2. Derek Smith, Apple Valley
The senior defenseman, who had one goal entering the game, scored three in a wild third period as the Eagles valiantly tried to rally from a 4-0 deficit. 
 
3. Bodhi Engum, Burnsville
The senior goaltender had Apple Valley’s big guns – A.J. Michaelson and Hudson Fasching -- shaking their heads in frustration most of the night as he came up with huge save after huge save. Engum, who proved mortal in the third, finished with 35 saves.

Apple Valley defenseman Derek Smith. Photo by Helen Nelson

Standings

How They've Fared

Statistical Leaders

Spotlight Game Coverage

Recent Stories

  • Five reasons Edina became a state champion

  • By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune 03/11/2024, 9:30am CDT
  • The 14th state championship for Edina/Edina East featured, of course, a hot goalie, but it also came with a list of intangible reasons for success.
  • Read More
  • Sophs strut their stuff

  • By Loren Nelson, MN Hockey Hub editor 02/26/2013, 11:59pm CST
  • Section 4AA semifinals: Young guns A.J. Welch, Jake Wahlin lead White Bear Lake past Roseville
  • Read More

Q and A Archive

  • Mean streak

  • By Loren Nelson, MN Hockey Hub editor 12/11/2012, 8:45am CST
  • Hermantown's Neal Pionk plays a throwback style complete with high degree of 'nasty'
  • Read More 1 Comment
  • Quick Q&A: Jake Hill survived the seniors' greeting

  • By Star Tribune 12/06/2012, 12:22am CST
  • South St. Paul hockey defenseman Jake Hill enjoys the holiday season. The senior, who also plays football and baseball, likes it even more once there is snow on the ground. Here is a closer look at Hill:
  • Read More
  • A man for all seasons

  • By Tim Kolehmainen, Breakdown Sports USA 11/14/2012, 2:00pm CST
  • Guidebook sneak peek: Q and A with multisport Hill-Murray standout Zach LaValle
  • Read More
  • Crusader on the climb

  • By Walker Orenstein, MN Hockey Hub staff 08/27/2012, 12:38pm CDT
  • Q and A with St. Cloud Cathedral, Team Great Plains forward Austin Poganski
  • Read More
  • The Big Labosky

  • By Loren Nelson, MN Hockey Hub editor 07/04/2012, 6:49pm CDT
  • Q & A with fast, feisty Benilde-St. Margaret's forward Dan Labosky
  • Read More

'Overtime' Archives

  • Cats claw to victory

  • By Pete Waggoner, OTSN contributor 12/16/2011, 11:59am CST
  • Eagan impresses in 10-1 over Lakeville North; Edina Holiday Classic report
  • Read More
  • 'Overtime' heroics

  • By Pete Waggoner, OTSN contributor 12/14/2011, 11:59am CST
  • Tim Mueller's goal in extra period lifts Prior Lake over Wayzata
  • Read More
  • Tale of two teams

  • By Pete Waggoner, OTSN contributor 12/12/2011, 11:59am CST
  • Pair of Duluth-area teams are unbeaten and highly ranked but with differing emotions
  • Read More