Sections: Day 8
Wanted to wait to write after we had some games in the books:
Friday
The Section 4 quarterfinals all took place on friday night as well as the last QF of section 2. I was insanely wrong on these games. I thought they would all be closer.
Stillwater, Mahtomedi, Hill-Murray and White Bear Lake all dominated their matchups to move on to the semi’s where we will have 1,2,3,4. Seems like, despite the “year of the upset” - all of the top teams have been taking care of business in the playoffs. Both of the section 4 Semi-Final games will be rematches of regular season, one-goal, games. So, dare I say, again that these should be close games? Ugh. I probably should say they will be blowouts so then we get close games… see what I did there? Proverbial reverse psychology.
I thought Orono and EP could potentially be a close (maybe overtime) game and it was not, EP dominated the game defensively to a 9-3 win.
Saturday
Saturday featured the section 1 semis. New Prague traveled to Lakeville North and Rochester Mayo traveled to Farmington.
I was thinking that maybe New Prague was going to give LN a game for some of the time after their big quarterfinal win. Unfortunately, the ran into the buzzsaw that is Lakeville North - I think the game was 15-0 at halftime. Still, a great season/run for the Trojans setting up a nice little two year window with this sophomore (2025) class. Getting some big game playoff experience for them is huge.
Rochester Mayo, as discussed on our first section breakdown podcast, had a group of seniors they were all-in on. They had their best team in years and were determined to make a run. Farmington played Mayo to a 9-6 game back in April. The game was gritty/tough and in cold weather. Mayo had a lead in that game but Farmington’s depth proved to be too much at the end and was able to reclaim the lead. The rematch was an emotional, highly contested game. Mayo wanted to establish physicality and dominance early, but, the Tigers stuck to their game plan. After a slow start with both teams failing to score for the first 6 minutes. Farmington was able to notch 3 goals late in the first to take a 3-0 lead. Mayo got one back off a face-off at the end to make it 3-1 after one. At this point. the Tigers controlled play and methodically managed the game. Mayo pressured and even went headhunting at times, but, the Tigers did not succumb to it… they showed extreme mental toughness in a game that Mayo was trying to do anything possible to win. Rochester Mayo’s face-off middy, Tore Pappenfuss, was the biggest factor for Mayo scoring 2 goals and winning the majority of the face-offs. However, Farmington defense was the core of the story as they held Mayo, who averages nearly 14 goals per game, to 5.
Monday
Last Night featured a great slate of games, that I personally, thought would have been a lot closer.
We will start with the afternoon game between Maple Grove and Armstrong. This is a rematch of a conference championship game back in May. Maple Grove has been a gritty bunch this year, slowly taking care of business and racking up wins. I think they are still a little bit slept on because they don’t play the toughest schedule, but, they are the real deal. Armstrong, had one of their best season’s in years and came out firing with a 3-0 lead after one and a 5-3 lead at half. Their goalie was playing lights out. However, the depth of Maple Grove started to show as they closed the gap to 6-6 at the end of 3. And finished with an 11-7 final. Maple grove is sneaky athletic and tough. I am not sure if they can take down the red knights, but, I think everyone (including BSM - after all these blowouts) is hoping it’s a great game.
Shakopee, after avoiding the upset scare against Chaska had another tough test against Eden Prairie. A team that has a history of success in the playoffs and has shown they can run with anyone this year. Another close, low scoring, grinder game for the Sabres as they take down the Eagles 7-5. This game was 5-5 late, but, like the last game, the Sabres seem to make the plays when they NEED to be made. They get the late goal, the late ground ball, the late save to win. Maybe they aren’t as potent offensively as they were in year’s past, but, still very much a team that finds ways to win. They do not ask you “how”, they only ask you “how many.”
Chanhassen and Minnetonka played their infamous section semi-final game and I had all my proverbial ‘money’ on the skippers. Not because I don’t think Chanhassen could win the game, or, because I thought Tonka was better. It’s because this game has been the underdog’s dream for the last 5-6 years. It seems like whoever goes into this game with “no chance” seems to find a way to win. Minnetonka ended Chanhassen’s season 3 years in a row when they were loaded with that 2016-2018 class of kids. This time, however, Chanhassen flipped the script and the #1 seed controlled the game from the start. Slow, simple, patient gameplan from the Storm. They felt they were the better team and had no reason to turn that game into a track meet. They just slowly chipped away on offense and played strong defense getting the game to 7-1. Finally, tonka was able to score a couple late, but, it was too little too late. The Storm move on to their 3rd straight section title game, and a rematch against the Sabres.
The BSM v Wayzata game was an eye opener. I knew the Red Knights would win, but, didn’t think it was going to be 18-1. Sheesh. The RK’s are playing at about as high of a level as possible right now. Can anyone beat them? Good news for the Trojans, they are a young team and get nearly everyone back next year. I think they lose one senior. This was good game experience for them and hopefully a motivator heading into 2024.
Section 4 was my thought to be the most entertaining section and it has been anything but. Complete dominance by the favorites in all of the games.
Mahtomedi started the season rough, but, they have seemed to figure something out as of late. They have won 6 in a row with wins over Minnetonka, Shakopee and now avenged a mid-season loss to Hill-Murray winning last night to move on to the section final. Their defense has really amped it up and with their ability to win face-offs, they can score enough goals to win.
Stillwater also seemed to shake off some early season rustiness and has looked absolutely dominant the last couple games. I expected more out of White Bear Lake. It was 4-4 at half, so, maybe Stillwater speed/depth took over because when I checked the score about 30 mins later, it was 15-5 Stillwater. Wow!
I think this sets up a good section 4 final between the Zephyrs and the Ponies - also, solid mascot matchup here - I don’t want to make a prediction because I have been completely wrong about section 4. Is this another blowout for the favorite? It’s hard for me to predict that would be the case - I think this should be a good game. A familiar rivalry in section 4 and two teams playing their best lacrosse of the season right now.
