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2008-2009 Preseason Rankings
Courtesy of Let's Play Hockey
11/26/2008
Class AA
1. Edina
2. Hill-Murray
3. Duluth East
4. Centennial
5. Bloomington Jefferson
6. Roseau
7. Minnetonka
8. White Bear Lake
9. Eden Prairie
10. Blaine
11. Moorhead
12. Academy of Holy Angels
13. Benilde-St. Margaret's
14. Hopkins
15. Burnsville
16. Woodbury
17. Cretin-Derham Hall
18. Eastview
19. Wayzata
20. Grand Rapids
2008-2009 Preseason Rankings
Courtesy of Let's Play Hockey
11/26/2008
Class A
1. St. Thomas Academy
2. Duluth Marshall
3. Rochester Lourdes
4. Little Falls
5. St. Cloud Cathedral
6. Breck
7. Warroad
8. Mahtomedi
9. International Falls
10. Totino-Grace
11. South St. Paul
12. Alexandria
13. Orono
14. Duluth Denfeld
15. New Prague
16. Blake
17. Red Wing
18. Hibbing
19. Rogers
20. Bemidji
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Grand Rapids @ Virginia
Miner's Memorial Building, Virginia, MN
12/4/2007
Game Preview:
The Virginia/Mt. Iron/Buhl Blue Devils have given Grand
Rapids quite a fight over the last two years. In the 2005-2006 season, Virginia
defeated Grand Rapids 4-2 in Virginia behind a stellar goaltending performance
by Derek Peterson. The following season, Reidar Jensen made the big saves in
Grand Rapids' 5-4 win over the Blue Devils. Jensen stopped Virginia standout
Nico Sacchetti on the doorstep with less than five seconds remaining in the
game. Despite splitting the last two games, Grand Rapids has found a share of
the IRC title each of the last two season. Two years ago Virginia and Hibbing
also snatched a share of the conference title. Last season, it was only Hibbing
that was able to tie the Thunderhawks for the IRC medallion. This year is a new
era. There is no Patrick White and no Nico Sacchetti. Virginia will turn to
leading scorer Sean Podpeskar and fellow senior Chris Stoks to the lead the way
at home. Robb Roy is the leading scorer for Grand Rapids.
IRC Standings as of 12/3/2007:
International
Falls 1- 0-0 2 2- 0-0
Grand Rapids 0- 0-0 0 0- 1-1
Hibbing/Chisholm 0- 1-0 0 1- 3-0
Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl 0- 0-0 0 2- 1-0
Greenway 0- 0-0 0 1- 2-0
Eveleth-Gilbert/Mesabi East 0- 0-0 0 1- 3-0
*Courtesy of
www.geocities.com/dent0110
Last meeting: Grand Rapids 5, Virginia 4 (12/5/2006 @ Grand Rapids)
Notes: In last season's meeting, Corey
Kosak scored the game winning goal for Grand Rapids. He also had an assist in
the game. Robb Roy also tallied a goal and an assist vs. Virginia. Sam Sparen
and Jack Moore added assists. Grand Rapids returns six points in games against
Virginia.
Special Teams: Grand Rapids is 2/12 (17%) on the power play and 9/10
(90%) on the
penalty kill this season.
Line Score: Goals (top), Shots (bottom)
| Team |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Final |
| Grand
Rapids |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
| Virginia |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
| Team |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Final |
| Grand
Rapids |
6 |
10 |
10 |
26 |
| Virginia |
12 |
5 |
7 |
24 |
Box Score:
1st Period-1. VMIB, Chris Stoks (Sean Podpeskar) (SH) 7:49;
2. GR, Sam Rendle (Robb Roy, Sam Sparen) (PP) 9:30
2nd Period-3. GR, Grant Prokop (Corey Kosak) 15:57; 4. GR, Sam Sparen (Robb Roy,
Corey Kosak) 16:30
3rd Period-5. GR, John Skrbec (Sam Sparen, Robb Roy) 4:12; 6. GR, Sam Rendle
(Jack Moore) 11:38; 7. VMIB, Andrew Judnick (Jordan Kreshbach) 16:12
Saves-Kyle Figgins (GR) 22, Will Lustig (VMIB) 20
Three Stars:
3. Grant Prokop (GR)
2. Sam Sparen (GR)
1. Sam Rendle (GR)
Game Summary:
Official start time: 7:27 p.m.
Official end time: 9:14 p.m.
Official game time: 1 hour, 47 minutes
The Grand Rapids Thunderhawks pick up their first win since Sam Rendle scored
the game winning goal in overtime against Burnsville in the 2007 state
semi-finals. Rendle scored twice against Virginia to help lead the Thunderhawks
to the 5-2 road victory. Chris Stoks of Virginia struck first at the 7:49 mark
of the first period when he scored short handed. Grand Rapids then reeled off
five straight goals. Amongst the five, Grant Prokop and John Skrbec scored their
first career goals. Virginia scored their second and final goal with just 48
second remaining in the game. Kyle Figgins stopped 22 shots and picked up his
first career win. With the win, Grand Rapids moves into a three-way tie atop the
IRC standing with Hibbing and International Falls. Rapids continued to have a
strong penalty kill in the game, killing all nine of Virginia's power play
attempts. The penalty kill is now 18/19 (95%) on the season. The power play
portion of special teams also faired well for the Thunderhawks. They went 1-5 on
the power play in the game and are now 3-17 (18%) on the season. Virginia did
score a shorthanded goal, however. Grand Rapids improves to 1-1-1 on the season
while Virginia falls to 2-2-0.
Photos are now up.
Photo of the game:
Courtesy of Shannon Merritt
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News:
The Princeton Tigers have been moved by the MSHSL into Section 7AA.
PrepHockeyNorth.com provides
section wide coverage throughout the season.
Grand Rapids Hockey Online is proud to announce its
support for the Shut Out Cancer program. Check it out at
www.shutoutcancer.com
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