Boys Hockey Headed to State

By Matt Funk, Head Coach
March 9, 2022

The locker room didn’t feel like a championship locker room after the Raiders finished off the White Bear Lake Bears 4-1 to win their 3rd straight SEC Championship in convincing fashion 4-1. That completed an undefeated run through the conference (13-0) and brought their overall record up to 21-3. Winning the conference was one of our team goals, but for this group, it also meant they were starting their path to their bigger goal to win the section.

The Raiders received the top seed in the section and started section play against Burnsville. The Raiders got off to a slow start but coasted to a 6-1 victory over the Blaze. The Raiders goals were scored by Jake Fisher ’23 (two goals), Kevin Odlaug ’22, Luke McCarthy ’22, Cooper Smith ’22, and Devin Cardenas ’23. Marko Belak ’22 stopped 14 of 15 shots in the net to get the win.

The next challenge for the Raiders was 4 seed Rosemount who had some big wins during the season and lost to CDH 3-1 over Christmas Break. The Raiders jumped out to an early lead with a goal from Lucas Cernohous ’23 but found themselves trailing 2-1 after two periods. Coach Matt Funk calmed the boys down in the locker room between periods and told them to play their game. The boys responded with a quick goal from captain Zach Sondreal ’22 1 minute into the 3rd period. Then fellow captain Drew Fisher ’22 scored a shorthanded goal on a great pass from his brother Jake on a 2 on 1. Both Fishers added empty-net goals to seal the victory for the Raiders. Belak stopped 25 of 27 shots in goal for the victory.

Now the stage was set for a section final against Eastview who beat St. Thomas Academy in double overtime in the other semifinal. The teams battled to a 0-0 tie after the first period with the Eastview Goalie making 15 saves to keep it scoreless. The Raiders came out firing in the 2nd with 17 shots and were able to get one by the Eastview netminder when Drew Fisher drove one home off a rebound in front of the net. In the third, Gabe Rasmussen ’22 gave the Raiders some much-needed insurance with a beautiful goal underneath the arm of the goaltender. Drew Fisher added his second of the night into the empty net to complete the 3-0 victory. Belak stopped all 35 shots he faced to send the Raiders to their first State Tournament in 13 years. Now that was a celebratory locker room!

The Raiders open the State Tournament on Thursday against the Section 2AA champion Prior Lake Lakers at 11 am. You can watch the game on Channel 45 or stream it on Prep 45. Or, come cheer us on in person! See you at the Xcel Energy Center!

Congratulations to the following hockey players on their postseason awards:

Drew Fisher ’22 - Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year 

Marko Belak ’22 - Star Tribune 1st Team All-Metro

Zach Sondreal ’22 - High School Hobey Baker Leadership Award