Slate Preview: 4/20-4/22

Looking at the second half of this week’s slate after a pretty solid first half - we have a few interesting matchups that hopefully don’t get rained/stormed out.

THURSDAY

BSM v The Valley: I think this is one of the most intriguing matchups so far this year and could be one of the best games of the year. Two contrasting styles. The run and gun, high risk, aggressive, physical and flashy style of The Valley against the structured, traditional, disciplined style of BSM. Both teams have talent. Both teams have superstars. But, the big question is how many of them will be playing on the BSM sideline. They have been short handed the last few games, so, we will see if they have their full arsenal of offensive weapons. I think this game is a statement game for The Valley to prove that despite their antics on the field, the talent is there to back it up and they can compete with anyone. BSM has not looked bad by any means, but, the bar is set pretty high for the back to back state champs (that lost very little from last years team). They have looked more “mortal” in the first two games than we have seen in years, so, maybe this is ripe for a Valley upset. I am extremely excited to watch this one and hope weather doesn’t push this game.

Eagan v STA: The Cadets dropped their first game to Woodbury 5-8. I think this score surprised a lot of people, none more than me. STA was hyped as being one of the better offensive teams in the state this year and Woodbury seemed to be in a rebuild from last year’s state tournament team yet the Royals came out on top. Another game for the Cadets with Section 3 implications, Eagan will have their first look of the season. They lost a great goalie from a year ago, but, returned a lot of their team. They were middle of the pack last year but I do anticipate them being better this year. This is another game of contrasting styles - eagan’s run and gun vs the structure of STA. I think STA is probably “supposed” to win this game, but, becomes even more so after their loss to Woodbury.

FRIDAY

Mahtomedi v Centennial: This one I am really eager to watch. I hope it is streamed! I have been pretty forthright about my belief in the Zephyr’s this season. They are my favorites for Section 4 with Stillwater seeming to be in a re-build scenario. They start their season off with three extremely tough games, Centennial being first. Centennial and MG played to a one goal game last week and has cruised to easy victory in their last two. Their go-to guy Brol Scherman didn’t play in game two but it looks like he was back in their third game with a cool 5 & 2 for 7 pts. Mahtomedi has one of the state’s best face-off guys in Owen Tacheny and a nice supporting cast of players around him. A younger defense, but, a handful of guys that can score. Oscar Magnusson and Jackson Johnson should be primed for great seasons. I expect this game to be close, but, I am going to take the Zeph’s. If they don’t win this one, my prediction that they have a winning record after 3 games will be in serious jeopardy because they get STA and Chanhassen in the next two following games.

Irondale v Stillwater: Irondale had an easy win in their first game and then were looking at one goal halftime deficit to Woodbury last night before the game was postponed due to weather. Not an easy turnaround to play Stillwater after Woodbury. Despite Stillwater looking like they aren’t as strong this year - they are still a massive program with athletes. They are only going to get better as the season wears on. Irondale feels like they finally have an experienced offense and a face-off guy to take some pressure of their normally defensive focused team. They did lose some key guys to graduation, so, this game will be interesting.

Rosemount v Edina: Rosemount beat Jefferson last Saturday and then dismantled Hastings. They look to be as advertised and should be a tough out in section 6. Edina has been up and down over the years. In 2021, they had probably their best team ever that fell to Prior Lake in OT in the section final. It sounds like they were in rebuild mode last year with a young group and are hoping to take the next step this year. Rosemount will be a very tough early season test to see how far they have come. Rosemount’s goalie is one of the better ones in the 2023 class so Edina will need to select their shots wisely. Both teams seem to play a controlled, methodical style, so I am curious to see if one team tries to open things up to catch the other off guard.

SATURDAY

The Valley vs Jefferson: Another game of contrasting styles. Jefferson built to play slow and defend well. The Valley wants to push and play fast/aggressive. I think BSM is built to handle the Valley’s game but Jefferson may be too young against a senior heavy Valley team. The matchup of Graff vs Rossman and Arendt vs Baker ( I am assuming here) could be great individual matchups to watch in this game. If Jefferson can play keep away, I think they can win this game. If The Valley dictates pace, I could see them rattling Jefferson’s cage a bit and taking them out of their comfort zone. One thing to note, Jefferson will be watching tonight’s game vs BSM to see how the strong, structured, fundamental defense fairs against The Valley. They may be able to go in with confidence or make some adjustments before Saturday.

Chanhassen v Cretin Derham Hall: Cretin fell to White Bear Lake last night in a tight game that sounded like it was fast, aggressive and athletic. Chanhassen has yet to play and their opening game tonight vs Waconia was postponed. Reports on the street are saying Chanhassen has reloaded and is as strong as ever. We know they have a handful of elite level players who returned from last year’s state tourney team and some sophomores and juniors who are finally stepping into roles on the team after graduation of a large 2022 class. They have one of the other top 2023 goalies in the state in Grant Pentinnen, experienced/athletic poles, and two elite attackmen in Van Holland & Bush. I am curious where they will find the replacements at midfield as that is where they lost the most guys’ from last year, but, sounds like it isn’t an issue. Cretin has some playmakers and another one of the top 2023 goalies in Eddie Kielkopf. This game could be a goalie’s duel and end up being an exciting one. I just am leaning a bit on Chan’s depth here to pull away, but, I would not be surprised if this game is close for a little while.

Orono v Providence: Two teams that don’t get a lot of love in the press but have earned the right to be talked about this week. Orono played to a 5-9 loss to Tonka last week and then a 3-13 game to BSM on Tuesday (that was 3-1 Orono at halftime). There is something there, but, seems like depth may be playing a part. They certainly have some guys who can play - but maybe not all the pieces. Providence, a team that I kind of wrote of early, battled against Blake in a 13-16 loss where they held a 9-8 lead late in 3rd. I expect Orono to win this game, but, Providence’s Sammy Lewis is a guy - and if he goes off, maybe they have a chance to win this one.