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Sara Vogel, left , and Sina Wessling
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This has been a memorable winter for this life-long hockey fan. First, I've enjoyed following the Minnesota Wild, who were in first place in the NHL's Northwest Division at last weekend's All-Star break. I've enjoyed professional hockey going back to the early 1970s when I often listened to Al Shaver's radio broadcasts of North Stars' games.
Secondly, I feel fortunate to cover the Northern Lakes High School hockey team on a weekly basis in the Lake Country Echo. The Lightning has compiled an admirable 15-4-1 record going into Tuesday's game against Walker. I've also enjoyed working with Lightning coach Shawn Chambers, a former North Stars' defenseman.
And the third hockey highlight is being part of the radio broadcast team for the Brainerd Warrior boys' hockey games. The Warriors are also enjoying success in compiling a 14-5-1 record going into Saturday's home game against top-ranked and defending Class AA champion Roseau.
I can't help looking ahead to the Section 8AA hockey playoffs where there's a chance that Northern Lakes and Brainerd could meet in the quarterfinals. A few things need to happen before the matchup would be possible on Feb. 19.
The top seed, based on voting by section coaches, in Section 8AA should be Roseau. Brainerd or Moorhead could be the second seed since the two teams tied earlier this season and play one more game in Brainerd. As for the Lightning, the team has the second-most wins in the nine-team section, but the coaches will look at strength of schedule. Northern Lakes could be seeded sixth or seventh and avoid the play-in game between the eighth and ninth seeds on Feb. 16.
So, there's a chance that the Lightning will play at Brainerd in the section quarterfinals. It would be an interesting matchup since some of the players from both teams once skated together in youth hockey. Fans would need to arrive early since the Brainerd Area Civic Center has been filled for some of its home games this season and the Lightning also have a big following with the combination of Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus, Crosby-Ironton, Aitkin and Northland of Remer schools.
The two teams do match up well on paper. The Lightning is led in scoring by Brandon Sterling (37 points), Eddie DeCent (35) and Adam Cook (27) while the Warriors have a top-three line of Joe Fraser (49), Bronson Shepherd (36) and Julius Tamasy (32). Northern Lakes has a high-scoring defenseman in Ben Kepner (25 points) while the Warriors have University of Minnesota-Duluth recruit Drew Olson (30 points). The Lightning has the experience edge in goal with second-year goaltender Trey Flesch (14 wins and a 2.57 goals-against average).
Another talented defenseman, Brainerd graduate Carl Sneep of Lake Shore is eighth in scoring with three goals and eight points for the Boston College hockey team. Sneep has played in all 23 games for the Eagles, 11-5-7 overall.
Foster has memorable game
Flecia Foster, a 2005 Pequot Lakes High School graduate now playing basketball for Minnesota State of Mankato, scored a season-high 20 points at Bemidji State on Jan. 22 in a 106-54 victory. The 5-foot-8 junior guard is averaging 6.4 points and 2.7 rebounds for the Mavericks, 16-3 overall and ranked No. 11 nationally.
Foster's teammate, Teresa Parker, also a 2005 Pequot Lakes graduate, is averaging 2.5 points and 2.5 rebounds. The 6-foot-1 center is tied for the team lead with 11 blocks. Parker grabbed four rebounds in three minutes of play Sunday in a loss to Augustana College.
Fisher update at SCSU
Jesse Fisher, a 2007 Pequot Lakes graduate, is averaging 3.6 points and 2.4 rebounds for the St. Cloud State University men's basketball team. The Huskies are 15-5 overall after defeating Minnesota-Duluth on Jan. 26. The freshman center scored a season-high 15 points against Montana State on Nov. 23.
Two exchange students in basketball
Exchange students Sina Wessling and Sarah Vogel both scored at least one basket as members of the Pequot Lakes junior varsity girls' basketball program this winter. Wessling recently returned home to Germany while Vogel is playing on the Patriots' freshman team coached by Molly Wiste.
"It has been a good experience for both girls," Wiste said. "I know it took a while to learn the plays, mainly because of the different languages. But they both improved."
Wiste added that Vogel, a post player from Switzerland, scored a basket for her squad against Pierz on Jan. 24.
"I mostly worked with Sarah," said Wiste, whose freshmen are 4-1 overall. "She's doing a nice job of boxing out (on defense) and does right- and left-handed layups. It's good that we have Sarah this year since we've been so shorthanded for players."
Patriots to play in the Metrodome
Pequot Lakes High School activities director Marc Helmrichs confirmed this week that the Patriots varsity baseball team will play Pelican Rapids at 9:30 p.m. April 19 in the Minneapolis Metrodome.
The Minnesota Twins are scheduled to play an afternoon game. There will be another high school game at night, followed by the Pequot Lakes vs. Pelican Rapids game.
"We were working on scheduling a game in the dome this season, but couldn't work out a date," said Helmrichs, who believes the Patriots previously played in the Metrodome some years ago. "Out of the blue we received a call from Pelican Rapids, who already had a date in the dome, but needed an opponent and invited us. It should be fun."
