Eden Prairie trumps top-ranked Stillwater in Hockey Day Minnesota showdown

After winning their first 13 games of the season, the Ponies have lost two of their last three

STILLWATER - The unusual circumstances, the festival atmosphere and the pageantry that come along with Hockey Day Minnesota weren't lost on Eden Prairie senior Casey Mittelstadt.

But when Mittelstadt was on the ice, all those distractions were effectively shelved, and the dynamic forward was able to get down to business.

In Eden Prairie, business has been booming since the beginning of 2017.

The Eagles knocked off host Stillwater, handing the Ponies a 4-1 loss at Lowell Park on the banks of the St. Croix River.

“You try to block out that stuff, but every time you are on the bench and you look up, you realize you’re playing outside, and it kind of brings you back to where you started,” Mittelstadt said.

“It’s definitely a special game and a special feeling. The boys were probably a little bit more nervous today than a regular game, but this is something special and something we will remember the rest of our lives.”

The Eagles are hoping it’s just another chapter in a season full of grand ambition.

Mittelstadt finished with a pair of goals to help lead Eden Prairie (11-4-2, 3-1) to its fifth win in a row, an unbeaten stretch that dates back to the start of January.

Eagles’ senior goaltender Nick Wiencek came through with 28 stops and left the high-powered Stillwater offense feeling snakebitten. In the first period especially, Wiencek kept the Eagles in the game before they found their groove and took control.

“He made some big saves to bail us out when they were on their toes, and we were on our heels,” Eden Prairie coach Lee Smith said.

“There is no question that if you want to make a run at it, you have to have a great goalie,” he added. “Wayzata proved that last year. Winnie had a great Elite League season, and he’s carried it over into our season. He’s a great kid who has a lot of mental toughness. Nothing rattles him this year, and he’s had a calming effect on his teammates. Everyone trusts him.”

Stillwater, ranked No. 1 in Class 2A by the state coaches’ poll, was able to tie the game at 1-1 early in the second period when Matthew Stanton scored for the Ponies. That, however, would be the extent of Stillwater’s scoring as Wiencek kept a lid on the Ponies' offense.

The loss is Stillwater's (14-2, 9-1) second this year, and second in a week. The Ponies will feel the sting of dropping this special game in their own backyard for awhile.

“They’re all lessons, whether you win, lose or tie,” Stillwater coach Matt Doman said. “You need to figure out ways to get better. Right now (it hurts). But next week, when I see the pictures of our team, and pictures of me with my little guys out there, there will be no sour memories at all of this weekend.”

After winning just twice over an eight-game span in late December, No. 6-2A Eden Prairie's victory should help solidify a new-found confidence for the club that began the season as the top-ranked squad in Class 2A.

“We struggled a little bit around the holidays, but every team has to go through adversity,” Mittelstadt said. “I think our team is doing a good job of responding to it.”

Getting back to the basics helps, and for Eden Prairie’s rink rats, there is nothing more basic than what Hockey Day Minnesota ultimately delivers.

“You get to play outside with your buddies, and that’s how it all started, and that’s how you fall in love with the game from the beginning,” Mittelstadt said. “This helps show how great hockey is in Minnesota.”

-Drew Herron / Jan. 20, 2017

Mahtomedi’s aggressive play pushes them past St. Paul Academy in Section 4A final

Mahtomedi’s aggressive play pushes them past St. Paul Academy in Section 4A final

No. 5-ranked Zephyrs earn program’s eighth trip to state and third of decade with a 3-1 victory over No. 4-ranked Spartans

ROSEVILLE - Mahtomedi broke loose with three goals in the second period en route to a 3-1 victory over top-seeded St. Paul Academy in Friday night’s Section 4A final at Roseville Ice Arena.

The Zephyrs, ranked No. 5 in Class A, outplayed the Spartans for most of the opening two periods with an aggressive forecheck and winning the loose races to the puck. SPA meanwhile fumbled through three power plays in the middle frame, and was out of sorts early on with indecisive play and poor passing in the offensive zone.

No. 4-ranked St. Paul Academy was playing without perhaps its top player, forward Dev McCabe (a UM-Duluth commit), who was serving a four-game suspension. McCabe has 29 goals in 60 points this season.

Mahtomedi’s Tom Broten scored first, 3:29 into the second, and that was followed by goals from Matt Vannelli and Jeff Kneale as the Zephyrs buried SPA.

Zephyrs’ goaltender Bailey Huber stopped 30 of 31 shots he faced.

Mahtomedi advances to the Tourney, where Class A action begins Wednesday at the Xcel Energy Center. The Zephyrs will almost certainly earn a top five seeding, along with No. 1-ranked Hermantown and No 3. Delano.

-Drew Herron / March 3, 2017

Elk River beats Centennial to remain undefeated

CIRCLE PINES - Elk River was collectively frustrated after one period Saturday afternoon at Centennial. The Elks outshot their hosts 14-5 but had nothing to show for it.

It led to introspection in the locker room, and an even hungrier approach to follow.

Midway through the second period, the Elks (4-0) broke down the door when sophomore forward Jack Perbix scored twice in two minutes, giving defensive-minded Elk River all they would need en route to a 3-1 victory over Centennial.

“It’s funny, he came to me after the first period and said he felt like he didn’t have the puck very much,” Elk River coach Ben Gustafson said of Perbix.

“I told him to work harder, and move your feet, and soon enough he found those two goals,” Gustafson said.

The second period tore the game open for the Elks, ranked No. 4-2A by the Let’s Play Hockey coaches’ poll. The two scores from Perbix spotted a lead to a team that hadn’t allowed a goal yet this season, and wouldn’t until the No. 9-2A Cougars’ converted on a power play late in the third.

It ended an impressive string of three shutouts to start the season for senior goalie Ben Meyers.

In front of him, the Elks' defensive core led by senior captains Nick Perbix and Benton Maass continued to log heavy minutes, while keeping things tidy in front of Meyers. The Elks blocked 18 shots in the victory Saturday.

“Centennial is a top 10 team for a reason,” Jack Perbix said. “To get this win is very nice because it was a total team effort. We stick to our gameplan. That means fast, skilled and disciplined,”

The two scores pushed his season total to four goals in four games, along with nine points for the Notre Dame commit.

Elk River showed a stronger commitment to control the slot in the second half and a willingness to play gritty.

“We did a good job of getting to their crease and trying to cause havoc in front of their goalie,” Gustafson said. “We just felt like if we kept at that, and we able to continue getting shots on net, then good things were going to happen.”

Elk River outshot Centennial (3-1) 29-20 for the game, while both teams converted one of three power plays.

For most stretches, Elk River held the edge in possession.

“I thought we did a good job of controlling the game, we had the puck on our stick more,” Gustafson said. “Collectively, our feet were moving, and we played well defensively as a team.”

Elk River pockets this early season Northwest Suburban Conference victory, and shifts its focus towards next weekend’s Edina Holiday Classic at Braemar Arena. It features a round-robin with an ultra-competitive field that includes Edina, Grand Rapids, and Eden Prairie.

-Drew Herron / Dec. 10, 2016