3/3/22 – Section 1 AA Championship
Lakeville South snags a 4-1 victory taking the Section 1AA Championship
Rochester, MN – The #1 seed Lakeville South Cougars battled the #2 Lakeville North Panthers for the Section 1AA Championship at the Rochester Recreation Center on Wednesday, March 3rd. Jack Hochsprung #33 (G, L, 6’0″, 180, Lakeville South HS, 02/07/2005) was between the pipes for the Cougars and Finn Jacques #1 (G, L, 6’0″, 173, Lakeville North, 04/08/2004) was at the other end for the Panthers.
First Period – Each side came out with a ton of intensity as it was a relatively even battle after the first 17 minutes of play. It was a fast and physical start played at even strength the whole period. The Panthers seemed content to keep everything to the outside and let the Cougars control possession and then look for quick counterattack opportunities. Austin Stoneking #8 (F, R, 5’8″, 163, Lakeville South HS, 10/17/2003) opened up the scoring for Lakeville South after receiving a nice feed in the high slot from Jackson Ernst #14 (F, R, 5’6″, 115, Lakeville South HS, 06/06/2006), Stoneking made a slippery toe drag passed the defenseman then going forehand backhand, beating the goaltender. North was able to catch a few odd man chances and a breakaway as the Cougars defensemen got caught in the play but were stalled with some big saves by Hochsprung. Tanner Ludtke #4 (F, L, 6’0″, 172, Lakeville South HS, 11/27/2004, Nebraska Omaha) was dangerous every shift, terrorizing the Panthers defensemen with his creativity and vision. The Cougars held a 1-0 lead going into the first intermission.
Second Period – Lakeville South started the second period with two quick powerplays but were unable to capitalize on both chances even with a quick 5 on 3 opportunity allowing the Panthers to hang around. The Cougars started to take control of the game and dominated possession in the offensive zone but started to lose some momentum after going 0 for 4 on the powerplay in the first 10 minutes of the second frame. Jacques continued to make big save after big save for the Panthers, standing tall and keeping North in the game, letting them start to chip away as he turned aside 26 shots through two periods. Lakeville North was able to get on the board late when a crashing Jameson Klein #25 (D, R, 5’10”, 145, Lakeville North, 05/13/2004) pounced on a rebound off a point shot, to the left side of the net and fired it home, tying the game at one a piece. Possession was still in favor of the Cougars as they lead in shots 27-15, but the Panthers continued to rely on quick counter attacks. The score was tied after two periods and momentum began to favor the Panthers with strong goaltending and the late period goal.
Third Period – Lakeside North had a tremendous breakaway chance right out of the gates but was stopped by Hochsprung. That led to a goal at the other end a few seconds later by Ashton Dahms #22 (F, L, 5’10”, 145, Lakeville South HS, 02/13/2005) squeezing a shot through the body of the goaltender from the right offensive faceoff dot. One minute later, Ernst stretched the lead to 3-1 off a breakaway slipping through defenders going backhand from in tight. The Panthers were unable to gain any traction in the third period being held to only two shots as the Cougars continued to pressure and control the pace of the game. Lakeville South outshot the Panthers 37-17 for the game.
Lakeville South took a 4-1 win as they dominated possession throughout and refused to let up. Each side had tremendous goaltending with big saves at key moments, but the Cougars were crowned as Champions and will be heading to the big dance.
Three Stars
- Jackson Ernst #14, Lakeville South
- Ashton Dahms #22, Lakeville South
- Finn Jacques #1, Lakeville North
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images