We have had three games in the past five days and we have another couple of games this Friday and Saturday. This will make for five games in 10 days. The schedule is similar to a pro schedule in that we have not had a lot of practice time because it seems like we are playing a game every other day.
We played Eau Claire this past Thursday and came away with a big win in overtime. Sam Valerius tipped in a shot from Garrett Riebling with two seconds left in the overtime to get the 2-1 win. This was our version of the National Hockey Center Miracle. Eau Claire was all over us in the overtime, but we kept saying to weather the storm and that it only takes one opportunity. We got that opportunity and we capitalized on it.
On Saturday, we took our Stevens Point game to Anoka because the National Hockey Center was completely booked with SCSU games. This was a great opportunity for us to work with Anoka Youth Hockey and to gain some new young fans (see attached photo). We also were able to get a good crowd at our game, while the students were on winter break. This was a tough game in that we lost, 5-1. I felt we played better in this game than the game against Eau Claire. We created many great chances, but just could not get the puck to find the net. I would say that Stevens Point was more opportunistic than we were, but I also felt we carried a lot of the game against a team that was ranked #3 in the country. It would be great to see them again in the NCAA tournament.
Finally, we had a huge game last night against Hamline in the new Minnesota Wild practice facility in downtown St. Paul. The rink is located on the fifth floor of the old Macy’s building and is a unique atmosphere to play in. The boys responded well from the loss on Saturday and played hard. Hamline got the first goal, but there was no doubt who the better team was and we stuck to the course and finally got a few to go in. We got a big night from Matt Colford, with two goals, and from goalie Andrew Lindgren, who has had two very good games in a row now getting wins against Eau Claire and Hamline. One unique stat is that we have 11 different players now that have scored the game winner in all of our 11 wins! This really shows the depth of our team.
This weekend is Hockey Day in Minnesota and we have two home games against Concordia-Moorhead. These are two huge games for us in that it will determine if we are fighting for a MIAC championship or if we are fighting for a playoff spot. The MIAC is so tight that one weekend can really affect your spot in the standings and your chances at a championship. It feels like we are already in playoff mode in that every game from here on out in the MIAC is huge. We play at 7p.m. on Friday and then we have a short turnaround to play again on Hockey Day at 1p.m. at the National Hockey Center. Fox Sports North has said they will get some highlights from our game on Hockey Day to show on the broadcast that day. I hope we get a chance to highlight the great hockey in the MIAC and in NCAA Division III.
See you at the games and Go Johnnies! Thanks for all your support!
Hope to see you at the alumni hockey game on Saturday, February 17th, 2018.
Here was a photo and a note from a dad in Anoka after our Youth Hockey Night!
Coach Schueller - My son Chase (3rd grade) now has another team he is cheering for. He was really excited after last night’s game. He plans to put the poster up next to his Anoka High School Team Poster. Thanks for all the work to put this together. - Bryan
