Catching up on the MnJHL

The former 16-team Minnesota junior Hockey League briefly ballooned to 17 teams in the off season with the addition of the Ironwood Fighting Yoopers to the Minnesota Division, but that was balanced by three teams — the Twin Cities Northern Lights of the Minnesota Division along with both the Fort Wayne Federals and Crystal Lake Rampage (formerly Wisconsin Rampage) who announced in the weeks before the season they had suspended operation for the upcoming campaign.

As a result, the Minnesota Division continues with eight teams and the Central Division will operate with a half dozen this season.

Action began for the newest entry early with a three game series on home ice for the Fighting Yoopers against the Rochester Ice Hawks. Several others followed suit the following weekend.

Following is a summary of action from the first three weekends of play.

MnJHL – Sept. 5

Rochester 11 Ironwood 1 

Rochester Ice Hawks, perhaps, the league’s most storied franchise issued a bit of a rough welcome to the newest franchise, pounding the Fighting Yoopers in three weekend contests in the Michigan/Wisconsin border town.

In the opener, the Ice Hawks started out with a 3-0 edge in the first period, then piled on another six in the middle frame to take total control.

Trey McMillen showed himself in fine early form netting a hat trick while Nick Paulson collected three assists. Marcus Stoulil chipped in goal goals and a helper while Nik Marconcini and Dawson Quint scored two each. Logan Haskins, Drew Gustavson and Drew Cleereman each added two assists with single goals for Trevor Sabo and Austin Anderson. Brandon Alcorn stopped 15 of 16 in goal for the Ice Hawks.

Jared Dern scored the lone Yoopers tally and Ted Bunton was the busiest man in the Pat O’Donnel rink stopping 60 of 71 Rochester shots in goal for the home team.

Sept. 6

Rochester 12 Ironwood 1 

The Ice Hawks added one more to its total in the middle game of the three game series at the Pat O’Donnel rink. The Ice Hawks started out with three unanswered goals in the first again, but this time had the game in hand with an 8-1 edge through the middle frame.

Griffen Buck led the charge with a goal and three assists. Austin Anderson also collected three assists while Nick Paulson and Dawson Quint scored two and set up one each. Jarret Urban added a goal and two assists with Alec Martin, Justyn Sweet, Marcus Stoulil and Josh Gresko adding a goal and assist apiece. Cody Goliath and Logan Haskins had the other Ice Hawks goals and Rio Virgoe turned aside 16 of 17 to earn the win in goal.

P.J. Nelson scored the lone Ironwood marker, Adam Filipiak stopping 43 of 55 in goal for the Yoopers.

Sept. 7

Rochester 9 Ironwood 2

The Ice Hawks closed out the series with another lopsided win, but this one actually started out even, teams tied at 2-2 after a period. Rochester scored four unanswered middle period goals then added three more down the stretch for a happy ride home.

Trevor Sabo leading the way with a goal and four assists. Alec Martin picked up two goals and a set up while Nick Paulson and Drew Cleeremen both scored twice. Drew Gustavson added two assists while Dawson Quint collecting a goal and assist and the other goal came from Logan Haskins. Cameron Kozbial picked up the win in goal with 36 saves.

Tanner Hicks scored one of the Ironwood goals and assisted on the other, scored by Zach Schingoethe. Spike Ganino stopped an awesome 86 of 95 Rochester shots.

Sept. 12

Hudson 9 Maple Grove 3 

The Crusaders got its season off to a promising start at the Maple Grove Community Center, turning a narrow 2-1 edge after a period into a more than comfortable 7-2 cushion in the middle period.

Dennis Andersson kicked off his second season with the Crusaders with a hat trick and three assists while teammate Christian Ripley scored twice and also set up three. Another returnee, Peter Karavos played set up man on five Crusader goals while Justin Reudebusch, Filip Uherek, Alec Wedell and Davis Kirkendall each scored once. Adam Smith stopped 34 of 37 shots to pick up the win in goal.

Tristan Gust and Dan Sarnecki picked up two assists apiece for the Energy with goals for Collin Buness, Nate Kuta and Daniel Risch.

Minnesota Owls 1 Dells 6

The defending Minnesota Division champion Dells Ducks opened a new season on home ice at the Poppy Waterman Ice Arena and carried a slim 1-0 lead out of the first period, then turned it into a 4-1 margin in the middle stanza and added two more unanswered markers in the third.

Second year defenseman Mike Sullivan led the way with a goal and three helpers while returnees Ian Wood and Colin Van Hauter both added a goal and assist. Tyler Forest had two assists with other goals for Christian Vella, Yari Neitenbach and Josh Colleaux. Sandro Aeschlimann stopped 13 of 14 shots in goal for the Ducks.

Branden Reimann had the lone Owls goal and Tommy Terrance stopped 42 of 48 shots in goal.

Sept. 13

Owls 0 Ducks 14

The Ducks left no doubt in the middle game of the three game series at the Poppy Waterman scoring five unanswered goals in both the first and final periods with another four in the middle frame.

Colin Van Hauter added four assists to his total while rookie Joe Sullivan netted a hat trick for the Ducks. Bobby Crawford and Josh Colleaux collected three assists apiece and Sherman Mowery scored two with an assist as well. Christian Vella Yari Neitenbach, Liam McDonough, Marcus Cassidy and Mike Sullivan each notched a goal and two assists with rookie forward Anton Brix scoring a pair and Lucas Smith adding a goal and assist. Tyler Forest had the other goal and rookie goaltender Jared Young stopped all 15 shots he faced.

Zach Streff and Tommy Terrance each took a turn in goal for the Owls.

Rochester 12 Maple Grove 1 

The Ice Hawks remained on the road for a fourth straight game and added another lopsided win, this tie at the Maple Grove Community Center.

Like the previous weekend the Ice Hawks put a stranglehold on its opponent in the middle period, carrying a 2-0 lead in and a 7-1 advantage out of the frame.

Nick Paulson scored once and added four assists for the winners, Alec Martin collecting two goals and two assists.  Austin Anderson and Dawson Quint both assisted on three while Trevor Sabo scored two and set up one. Drew Cleereman pulled the trigger on two with Vinnie Susi and Logan Haskins both earning two assists. Luke Meade and Marcus Stoulil both picked up a goal and assist with other goals for Dan Trageser, Josh Gresko and Trey McMillen. Sam Nelson handled 28 of 29 shots to pick up the win in goal.

Tanner Decker picked up the lone Energy goal while Brandon Kalvoda faced a barrage, stopping an amazing 85 of 97 shots against.

Hudson 2 Forest Lake 3 (ot)

Having made the move from Edina to Forest Lake, the Lakers gave the home crowd a great show in its first game at the Forest Lake Sports Center as Joshua Fisher buried the game winner at late in the five minute overtime session lifting the home side to a thrilling victory.

Jake Peterson and Michael Caravella had the other Lakers goals and all three goal scorers also picked up an assist. Matiss Kivlenieks made a successful return to the Lakers goal, stopping 36 of 38 Crusaders shots.

Peter Caskey and Cole Knowlton scored the Crusaders goals while Adam Smith stopped 28 of 31 shots in goal.

Sept. 14

Owls 1 Dells 11

The lone Sunday game on the weekend saw the host Ducks wrapping up a successful homestand with another lopsided win. The Ducks picked up three unanswered goals in both the first and second periods, then took it home with five more in the third at the Poppy Waterman Ice Arena.

Dylan Lincoln scored the lone Owls goals, breaking the shutout bid of Matt Millendorf just 15 seconds from the final buzzer.

Colin Van Hauter and Josh Colleaux both assisted on three for the Ducks, Van Hauter also scoring a goal. Ian Wood picked up two goals and an assist while Mike Sullivan scored one and set up two. Christian Vella, Anton Brix and Joe Sullivan scored two each with the other goal scored by Bobby Crawford. Millendorf stopped 11 shots before getting beat on the 12th.

At the opposite end, Tristan Jensen handled 46 of 57 in goal for the Owls.

Sept. 19

Dells 15 Maple Grove 0

The Ducks started off a successful string of 17 straight road games on a successful note, pounding the host Energy at the Maple Grove Community Center.

The Ducks scored three in the opening period then wrapped up the game with a six-pack in both the second and third.

Marcus Cassidy and Ian Wood paced the offense with two goals and two assists apiece, Mike Sullivan setting up three and a trio of players — Yari Neitenbach, Lucas Smith and Tyler Forest adding a goal and two assists apiece. Christian Vella scored a pair with Sherman Mowery, Kyle Buchanan, Colin Van Hauter and Joey Sullivan each adding a goal assist. The other goal went to Bradley Hefner and Sandro Aeschlimann picked up his second straight shutout with 13 saves.

Owls 1 Hudson 6

The Crusaders earned a win in its home opener at the Hudson Civic Center Ice Arena with a nice finishing touch. After single goals in the first and second periods, the Crusaders added two more in the first three minutes of the third on its way to a 4-1 edge against the Owls down the stretch.

Jack Cernohous led the way with a goal and three assists and Dennis Andersson also collected three assists in the game. Devin Pierce fired a goal and added an assist while Justin Reudebusch assisted on two and other goals came from Bryce Kuschel, Tyler Hoff and Peter Karavos. Brian Levorson collected the win in goal with 25 saves on 26 shots.

Mitch Bentfield scored the lone Hudson goal with Roni Sener (49:30 37/43) and Tommy Terrance (10:30 6/6) each taking a turn in goal.

Steele County 8 Ironwood 1

The Yoopers kicked off its second home weekend with another tough loss as the visiting Blades paced themselves well with three in the first and third periods and two in the middle stanza at the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center.

Colin Papesh, Nick Mead and Adan Sigala scored two each for the Blades with Clayton Huss and Hunter Henderson both assisting on two. Joel Lehtonen picked up a goal and assist and Austin Lewis added the other goal, Bryce Kamenick picking up the win in goal with a 21 save effort.

Jared Dern collected the lone Yoopers goal with Ted Bunton overworked again with 37 saves on 45 shots.

Wooster 9 St. Louis 2 

The Oilers made the trek to Missouri to open the Central Division season at the FSI Shark Tank with a lopsided win. The Oilers scored four in the first and added three more in the second, owning a comfortable 8-0 cushion before the host Frontenacs connected twice in the final 10 minutes of the contest.

Brandon Scholze paced the offense with two goals and three assists, Remington Reynolds adding  a hat trick and an assist and Jeffrey Skinner chipping in two goals and two set ups. Rubin Chavarria also collected two assists with Jake Greathouse adding a goal and assist and the other goal scored by Will Schober. Steven Schmitt picked up the win in goal with 28 saves on 30 shots.

Nick Tobey and Kyle Parker both had a goal and assist for the Frontenacs with returning goaltender Travis Bastin facing 50 shots in goal for the Frontenacs.

Sept. 20

Forest Lake 2 Hudson 4

The Crusaders avenged its earlier overtime loss to the Lakers with a 4-2 win at the Hudson Civic Center Ice Arena. The hosts scored a pair of unanswered goals in both the first and second periods before the Lakers came back with a pair of their own in the final frame.

Dennis Andersson, Justin Reudebusch, Peter Karavos and Cole Kuslits had the Hudson goals and Christian Ripley assisted on a pair. Adam Smith picked up the win in goal with a 20 save effort.

Joshua Fisher and Jacob Anderson notched the Lakers goals while Matiss Kivlenieks turned aside 32 of 36 shots in goal.

Steele County 5 Ironwood 2 

The Blades continued its successful weekend at the Pat O’Donnell rink in Ironwood. All but one of the game’s seven goals came in the middle period.

Nick Mead scored three for the Blades and Austin Lewis set up a pair, Cory Schillo and Wilson Anderle scoring the others. Wyatt Ulrich stopped 29 of 31 to get the win in goal.

Levi Wunder scored both Yoopers goals and Ted Bunton stopped 54 of 59 fired at the Ironwood goal.

Dells 5 Owls 0

After making the trip to the Dells the previous week, the Minnesota Owls hosted the Ducks for its own home opener with nearly 2000 excited spectators jammed into the David C. Johnson Civic Arena.

Despite an inspired effort from the home team, the guests spoiled it a bit as Jared Young grabbed his second straight shutout with a 20 save effort.

Christian Vella collected three assists in the game and Yari Neitenbach scored one while setting up two others. Ian Wood had a goal and assist with other goals for Bobby Crawford, Bradley Hefner and Joe Sullivan.

Tommy Terrance handled 50 of 55 shots in goal for the Owls.

Wooster 9 St. Louis 1 

The Oilers grabbed another lopsided with at the Shark Tank, all but clinching it in the opening period with six unanswered goals.

Casey Carpenter paced the offense with a goal and three assists while Remington Reynolds and Steven Frankel both scored a pair.

Rubin Chavarria and Will Schober both picked up a goal and assist, Zach Bilius setting up a pair and Jason Watts also sank one. Creighton Furber picked up the win in goal, stopping 16 of 17.

Henry Hunsaker replied with the lone Frontenacs tally.

Sept. 21 

Wooster 12 St. Louis 3

The Oilers wrapped up a weekend sweep at the Shark Tank. Up by a narrow 2-1 margin after a period, Wooster fired four unanswered second period goals then wrapped it up with a 6-2 margin in the final frame.

Bradley Sneed and Jeffrey Skinner both picked up two goals and an assist in the win, Jason Watts setting up three and Brandon Scholze scoring a pair. Ryan McCarty and Remington Reynolds scored one and assisted on another with other goals for Brian Grant, Will Schober, Michael Decrescenza and Jake Greathouse. Matt Douglas stopped 35 of 38 shots in goal for the Oilers.

Reid Carnes, Kyle Parker and Chad Meece each scored for the Frontenacs and Bryan Fuhler picked up two assists.

Owls 4 Maple Grove 2 

The Owls traveled to the Maple Grove Community Center and grabbed its first win of the season in a close back and forth match that had both teams closing in on 50 shots.

After a scoreless first period, the Owls held a 2-1 edge through both the second and third to nail down the victory.

Dylan Lincoln assisted on two of the Owls goals and Nick Tolin picked up a goal and assist with single goals for Justin Carlson, Jordan Adler and Jimmy Mayer. Tommy Terrance earned the win with 43 saves on 45 shots.

Tanner Decker set up both of the Maple Grove goals while Dan Sarnecki scored one and picked up an assist on the other, scored by Collin Buness. Nick Cameron stopped 44 of 48 shots in goal for the Energy.

Steele County 8 Ironwood 6

The Blades finished off a weekend sweep at Ironwood but needed to earn it.

Up 5-0 on a period, the team may have flipped it on to cruise a little too early and as a result saw its lead trimmed to 6-4 by the start of the third period.

The host Yoopers scratched to within a goal twice in the final period, but a final goal with 38 seconds to go for the Blades sent the Pat O’Donnel rink faithful home disappointed for a sixth straight time.

Joel Lehtonen paced the Blades with three goals and an assist while Nick Mead picked up a goal and three helpers. Hunter Henderson scored twice and set up another and Clayton Huss also assisted on a pair.

Colin Papesh and Adam Sigala had the other goals for the Blades.

Levi Wunder notched a hat trick for the Yoopers, Connor O’Doherty, Dalton Duquette and Zach Schingoethe scoring the others and an extra assist for Doherty.

Dells 3 Hudson 0

The Ducks wrapped up its sixth straight win at the Hudson Civic Center Ice Arena, scoring once in each period while Sandro Aeschlimann picked up his second shutout of the weekend and the teams’ third straight goose egg with a 20 save performance.

Colin Van Hauter collected a goal and assist with other goals for Christian Vella and Brady Hefner.

Adam Smith stopped 27 of 30 in goal for the Crusaders.