MN Hockey Mag Special Tournament Edition

Duluth East
The Duluth East Greyhounds pulled another
rabbit out of their hat and rallied from a 3-0
deficit against Elk River/Zimmerman.
The ‘Hounds make their 22nd state tournament appearance while
knocking off the No. 1 seed in the Section 7AA final. It marks the
seventh consecutive season the Hounds (14-10-4) have qualified and
is the second longest running string only to Edina’s nine straight in
Class 2A.
A productive power play has been the calling card for the ‘Hounds
over the years yet this year they hovered around 15 percent during
the regular season. When push came to shove and it mattered the
most, the Duluth East power play numbers spiked to 25 percent in
the section playoffs and it was key to their advancing. Coach Mike
Randolph is a secret weapon behind the bench and will always have
his team ready no matter the situation.
Despite an 0-5-0 record against the tournament field, the ‘Hounds
will be well coached and as is the case each year, have the potential to
take the game incrementally, The ‘Hounds will always
possess the puck creating opportunities and never
be overwhelmed by the situation.
Senior goalie Gunnar Howg (10-6-4, 2.46, .904)
is 5-0-1 in his last six games and picked his game up
a notch when it mattered the most. Senior Nick
Altmann (14-13-27) and Ash Altmann (10-14-24)
are both big frames that can use their size to their
Nick Altmann
advantage. Both stand over six feet and have utilized it in all aspects
of the game well.
Scoring goals has not been a premium for Duluth East. Yet, it is
the experience of seven straight trips that can give Duluth East and
advantage against the field and a number of younger players that
have had deep runs to state tournament finals at the youth level that
make this team a dangerous threat in St. Paul.
— Pete Waggoner
14-10-4
Quick Facts
Section: 7AA
Conference: Independent
Past State Appearances: 1958, 60
Champs, 61, 64, 75, 91, 94, 95 Champs,
96, 97, 98 Champs, 2000, 03, 04, 05, 09,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Head Coach: Mike Randolph
Home Rink: Heritage Arena
Road to the X
Date Opponent W-L-T
Nov. 29 at Wayzata L 0-3
Dec. 4 SUPERIOR, WI W 4-3
Dec. 6 at Andover T 2-2
Dec. 11 CLOQUET-E-C W 3-1
Dec. 13 ST. MICHAEL-ALBT. W 4-3
Dec. 16 at Centennial L 3-5
Dec. 18 CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI W 4-0
SCHWAN CUP GOLD (Dec. 29-31)
Dec. 29 St. Thomas Academy L 1-4
Dec. 30 Edina L 1-7
Dec. 31 Eastview L 1-3
Jan. 2 at Hopkins W 4-3
Jan. 5 at Duluth Denfeld W 4-3
Jan. 8 GRAND RAPIDS L 1-5
Jan. 10 EDEN PRAIRIE L 2-4
Jan. 13 at Lakeville North L 1-2
Jan. 15 APPLE VALLEY W 3-2
Jan. 17 at Roseau W 2-1
Jan. 20 FOREST LAKE W 6-2
Jan. 24 MAPLE GROVE W 4-1
Jan. 27 at Anoka L 3-5
Jan. 31 at Elk River T 1-1
Feb. 2 at Cloquet-E-C T 1-1
Feb. 5 at Blaine L 6-7
Feb. 10 at Lakeville South W 2-1
Feb. 14 MINNETONKA T 4-4
SECTION 7AA PLAYOFFS
Feb. 17 ANDOVER W 3-0
Feb. 21 Grand Rapids W 3-2
Feb. 26 Elk River W 5-4
Tim Kolehmainen / Breakdown.zenfolio.com
LEADERS
# Name Gr G-A-Pts
19 Nick Altmann 12 14-13-27
26 Ash Altmann 11 10-14-24
21 Luke Dow 11 8-12-20
27 Brian Bunten 12 6-12-18
24 Ryan Peterson 11 8-8-16
# Name Gr GAA SV%
31 Gunnar Howg 12 2.46 .904
Puck Heaven trivia
Q What Duluth East goalie gave up
just three goals in three games in the
1997 Class AA tournament?
2015 Minnesota state high school boys’ hockey tournament guide
17