2016 MN Hockey Mag Special Tournament Edition

STILLWATER
The Stillwater Ponies have found many ways
to win this year and with a 26-1-1 record have
compiled the most wins of any team in the
Class 2A state tournament field.
The Ponies’ wins have come in a number of ways but nothing could
have been more impressive than their 1-0 overtime win against Hill-
Murray in the Section 4AA final. It was a defensive struggle that had
plenty of offensive chances and was capped off by Noah Cates’
game-winner on an amazing individual effort.
Each night, there has been a different hero for the Ponies. The play
of senior goalie Josh Benson (22-1-1, 1.70, .923) has been the steady
formula for the offensively talented Ponies. He allows the team to be
able to bring a more aggressive free-style approach their game.
The saying goes that goaltending and special teams win
championships and the Ponies have both. They have allowed a stingy
46 goals against this year. Their power play cruises along at 31.6
percent. Even more impressive is a penalty kill that clocks in at 93
percent, making teams earn their goals.
It is rare to have four 20-goal scorers on one high school hockey
team and the Ponies have that in Noah Cates (23-37-60), senior
Jackson Cates (24-34-58), junior Luke Manning (21-22-43), and
junior TJ Sagissor (20-17-37). Junior defenseman Jesse Bjugstad
(4-18-22) has compiled two year’s worth of experience on the blue line
and anchors a steady group of puck moving defensemen.
The Ponies a peppered with a talented junior class that captured
the Bantam AA state championship two seasons ago. Many of those
players are key contributors today and they have blended well with
the seniors on the team.
Head coach Matt Doman is in his third year as a coach with two
state tournament appearances. His perspective and can-do demeanor
has rubbed off on his team. “You can’t look past any team and our goal
has been to win a state tournament from the first day of practice, “
Doman said.
— PETE WAGGONER
26-1-1
QUICK FACTS
Section: 4AA
Conference: Suburban East
Past State Appearances: 2014, 16
Head Coach: Matt Doman
Home Rink: St. Croix Rec Center
ROAD TO THE X
Date Opponent W-L-T
Dec. 1 at Lakeville North W 6-5
Dec. 3 at Roseville W 5-2
Dec. 5 Cretin-Derham Hall W 5-1
Dec. 8 at Hastings W 7-1
Dec. 10 at East Ridge W 4-2
Dec. 12 at Park W 7-2
Dec. 17 Bloom. Jefferson W 4-3
Dec. 19 at Mounds View W 8-1
SPORTS AUTHORITY (Dec. 28-30)
Dec. 28 Holy Family L 3-5
Dec. 29 Maple Grove W 8-2
Dec. 30 Moorhead W 6-2
Jan. 2 at Forest Lake W 4-1
Jan. 7 Woodbury W 4-1
Jan. 9 White Bear Lake T 0-0
Jan. 12 Park W 6-1
Jan. 14 Roseville W 7-3
Jan. 16 at Cretin-Derham Hall W 3-1
Jan. 21 East Ridge W 7-0
Jan. 23 at Hill-Murray W 5-2
Jan. 28 Mahtomedi W 4-0
Jan. 30 Mounds View W 8-1
Feb. 4 Forest Lake W 6-1
Feb. 6 at Woodbury W 3-1
Feb. 11 at White Bear Lake W 5-2
Feb. 13 Holy Family W 3-2
SECTION 4AA PLAYOFFS
Feb. 20 Irondale W 7-4
Feb. 23 White Bear Lake W 4-0
Feb. 26 Hill-Murray W 1-0
Tim Kolehmainen / Breakdown.zenfolio.com
LEADERS
# Name Gr G-A-Pts
11 Noah Cates 11 23-37-60
10 Jackson Cates 12 24-34-58
15 Luke Manning 11 21-22-43
22 TJ Sagissor 11 20-17-37
3 Jesse Bjugstad 11 4-18-22
9 Matthew Stanton 11 11-11-22
21 Simon Sagissor 12 8-14-22
# Name Gr GAA SV%
30 Josh Benson 12 1.70 .923
PUCK HEAVEN TRIVIA
Q On how many occasions has a
state title game gone into sudden
death overtime? Can you name
them all?
2016 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ HOCKEY TOURNAMENT GUIDE
23