Good morning, everyone!
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton at Duluth
Prior to this game CEC had averged almost 30 shots per game over their last 3 games. Duluth, in their last 3 games had given up 7, 5, and 5 goals. For this game shots were only 14-11 in favor of CEC. Clearly Duluth’s game plan was to slow the game down and limit CEC’s scoring chances. It worked for the most part. The game was much closer than expected.
CEC’s Taylor Nelson and Kiana Bender each had 1 and 1 in their 3-1 win. I had this one weighted heavily in CEC’s favor in the preview, 7-2.
Rochester John Marshall at Mankato West
I had this one at 6-1 for Mankato West. Real life was 6-2. But here’s the deal. RJM had a 2-0 lead after the first and outshot Mankato West 39-36. The game was much closer than the score indicates.
West’s Sunshine Langworthy, Lindsey Hays, and Molly Grundhoffer combined for 7 points. Goalie Sarah Olsen was great making 37 saves on 39 shots.
Roseau at Moorhead
I had this one in the preview at 6-0 for Roseau. Real life was 6-0.
Rams sophomore Kate Helgeson had 2 and 2.
Blake at BSM
I had this one as a three goal victory for Blake. I was right. Real life was 5-2. In the preview I had it at 4-1.
Blake came out fast and hard in the first period outshooting the Red Knights 19-5 and taking a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. The Wethington sisters and Izzy Daniel each had 3 points for the Bears.
Therese DeCesare had 2 assists for BSM. It looks as though Carly Greene only played the first period before Rose Beeman came in for periods 2 and 3. I suspect Greene aggravated her injury as that is the only way she doesn’t keep playing.
North Wright County at Buffalo
A show was put on by the goalies in this game. 81 total shots over 3 periods plus OT. Only 5 goals total. In the end, NWC’s Anna LaRose got the better of Buffalo’s Kennedy Sohler with the Riverhawks getting the 3-2 OT win.
Sydney Lemke with the OT game winner for NWC.
Maple Grove at Elk River/Zimmerman
I figured this would be a tight one. I gave the edge to Maple Grove in the preview with the 3-2 victory because of Crimson goalie Lucy Morgan. Real life was 2-2. But it was Elk River/Zimmerman goalie Megan Jung that was the difference maker in this one making 39 saves on 41 shots.
Mannon McMahon had 1 and 1 for MG and Kelsey King had a goal for the Elks.
White Bear Lake at Forest Lake
I had this one at 4-1 for Forest Lake. Real life was 4-0 for the Rangers.
Sydney Rydel had 3 assists and Ally Goehner had the 12 save shutout for Forest Lake.
I can’t figure WBL out. On paper they should be really good. Something going on there.
Holy Family at Mound Westonka
I had this one at 2-1 for Mound Westonka. Real life was 2-1 for Mound Westonka.
Holy Family jumped out to an early lead when Taylor Koeppl scored just 2:25 into the first. But Mound Westonka’s Sydney Hules answered with a PP goal just 1:35 later.
The goalies were outstanding. Holy Family’s Alex Pellicci made 32 saves on 34 shots. MW’s Taylor Smith continued her dominance with 32 saves on 33 shots.
Waconia at Orono
This game was neither 1-1 or 9-9 as I had predicted in the preview. Orono dominated Waconia outshooting them 32-13 and winning 4-1.
Claire Suchy had 1 and 1 for the Spartans. Anna Lisle saved 12 of 13.
Brainerd/Little Falls at Sartell/Sauk Rapids
In the preview I had Sartell’s Chloe Stockinger leading her team to a 2-1 upset of B/LF. Real life was 5-1 for Brainerd/Little Falls. At this time the box score had not been updated.
Roseville at Stillwater
I had this one at 2-0. Real life was 2-0. I just picked the wrong winner. I figured Roseville would get the win because of their goalie Maddison Lehto. Although the Raiders did not win Lehto was lights out good making 47 saves on 49 shots. Shots were 49-11 in favor or Stillwater. I’ve said this before, and this probably won’t be the last time, but there is not a more valuable player to her team right now than Maddison Lehto.
Lauren Einen with 1 and 1 for the Ponies.
Many have asked, “Sota, how can you be so good, so spot-on on most of your predictions but then every now and again you just have some stinkers?”
Well. I have been working really hard on a super sophisticated data-driven artificial intelligence mathematical algorithm but it still needs some refining. Think high frequency trading meets Google with a sprinkle of Billy Bean. Oh. And it’s on the blockchain. So that’s how.
Notable Performances
Mackenna Stoterau stood on her head as she saved 32 of 33 in Centennial’s 2-1 win over Blaine.
Jefferson’s Mara McClain and Dodge County’s Sky Hughes each had a shutout in the 0-0 tie. That doesn’t happen very often.
Alex Hantje with 2 and 3 in Hutch’s 8-1 win over Minnesota River.
Kallie Schneider had a 35 save shutout for Lakeville North in their win over Minnetonka.
Katie Kaufman, Nina Steigauf, and Allie Franco with 4 points each in Hill Murray’s 10-1 win over Simley.
Andover had 60 shots and Paige Anderson had 1 and 4 in Andover’s 7-0 win over Anoka.
Sota Girls Hockey 