Puck drops on West Region boys' hockey postseason

MINOT – The puck dropped on the 2024-25 West Region Boys’ Hockey Tournament on Monday, Feb. 17 with a pair of region play-in games.  (7) Williston defeated (10) Hazen-Beulah and (9) Dickinson topped (8) Bismarck High. Those winners move onto the quarterfinals on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Pepsi Rink (MAYSA) in Minot. Quarterfinals are on Thursday. Loser-out and semifinals will be held on Feb. 21 with two state qualifiers and the championship to be played on Feb. 22. Given the parity throughout the conference, a number of teams will be in contention for one of the four state tournament berths. Here's news and team stats.
2023-24 Rewind: Last year’s tournament was one for the books as Dickinson captured its first West Region Tournament crown and became the first fourth seed to do so. Minot High, Bismarck Legacy and Bismarck Century also qualified for the state tounament. All three games on the final day, the two state qualifiers (Jamestown vs. Century; Mandan vs. Legacy) and the championship (Minot High vs. Dickinson) were decided by just one goal.
Who will emerge champion this weekend?
Top seed Minot High has been tough from the get-go and has just one loss. A road setback to Mandan in late January. The team has a potent offseason, but also has a stingy team defense and strong goaltending. Throw out the six goals allowed in its Mandan loss and Minot surrendered just 34 total toals in the other 20 games. The team won the Roseau, MN holiday tournament, defeating the host Rams which is no easy feat. It also posted wins over EDC foes Fargo Davies, Fargo North and Devils Lake. Winning the region tournament title has been elusive for the Magi. The squad has not done so since 2005-06. This very well could be the year the Magi do it.
Century finished second in the standings and played Minot High to a 2-1 contest in December. The Patriots have always had success in the tournament, winning eight titles, including four in a row (2017-21). Legacy is also in the mix. The Sabers won the title two seasons ago and has reached the championship another time. It doesn’t have a win over either Minot or Century this year, but played a strong non-conf. schedule, including wins over EDC foes West Fargo and Fargo Davies.
Another darkhorse winner?
Last year Dickinson put together a surprise run to the title. Is there another team out of the top three that could emerge? 
Getting offensive
Minot High’s offense was off the charts this season, scoring 125 goals in 21 games. Thirteen times the Magi netted six or more goals in a game.
Nail-biter hockey: Twenty-three WDA regular season games were decided by a goal, showcasing the parity in the conference again this season. 
A plethora of point producers: Eleven WDA players finished regular season play with 30 or more points. Minot senior Mackley Morelli led the conference with 61 points (30G/31A). That is second in the state behind West Fargo senior Bryce Mattern, who finished with 79 points, including 46 goals.
Icings: The WDA’s record against EDC teams was 12-12...Six WDA teams (Bismarck Century, Bismarck Legacy, Bottineau-Rugby, Jamestown,  Mandan, Minot High) finished with a winning record in regular season play...PSP Network, based in Minot, will provide a subscription livestream service for all region tournament games...There has been a different W. Region Tournament champion in each of the past four seasons (Century, Jamestown, Legacy and Dickinson)...The ND state tournament is Feb. 27-March 1 in Grand Forks.

Team Notes

(1) Minot High Magicians
Coaches: Jason Bennett, Jordan 
Willert
Overall Record: 20-1-0-0
WDA Record: 15-1-0-0
Victories over WDA teams with a winning record: 2 vs. Century; 2 vs. Legacy; 2 vs. Jamestown; 1 vs. Bottineau-Rugby; 1 vs. Mandan
Record when scoring the first goal: 13-0
Record when allowing the first goal: 7-1
Record in one-goal games: 4-0
Most goals scored in a game: 10 (vs. Lake of the Woods, MN; vs. Hazen-Beulah).
Most goals allowed in a game: 6 (vs. Mandan)
Record when leading after 2 periods: 18-0
Record when trailing after 2 periods: 1-1
Record when tied after 2 periods: 1-0
Longest win streak: 17 games 
Longest losing streak: 1 game 
Goals per game: 5.95
Goals allowed per game: 1.90
Power Play%: 37.0
Penalty Kill%: 81.2
Scoring leaders: Points: Mackley Morelli, 61; Easton Panasuk, 48; Goals: Morelli, 30; Rylan Roteliuk, 19; Assists: Morelli, 31; Panasuk, 30; Aidan Diehl, 28
Goalie leaders: Devon Keller, 20 (Games Played) 19 (Wins); 90.4 (SV%); 1.49 (GAA)
Last year’s W. Region Tournament: 2nd (Won vs. Jamestown; Won vs. Legacy; Loss vs. Dickinson)
Did You Know: Minot High’s 125 goals is the most in the state.

(2) Bismarck Century Patriots
Coach: Troy Olson
Overall Record: 12-4-5-0
WDA Record: 11-3-4-0
Victories over WDA teams with a winning record: 2 vs. Legacy; 2 vs. Mandan; 2 vs. Jamestown; 1 vs. Bottineau-Rugby  
Record when scoring the first goal: 8-1
Record when allowing the first goal: 9-3
Record in one-goal games: 10-1
Most goals scored in a game: 7 (4 times) (vs. Hazen-Beulah (2), Bismarck High, Williston)
Most goals allowed in a game: 8 (vs. Minot High)
Record when leading after 2 periods: 8-0
Record when trailing after 2 periods: 1-3
Record when tied after 2 periods: 8-1
Longest win streak: 10 games 
Longest losing streak: 1 game 
Goals per game: 3.57
Goals allowed per game: 2.52
Power Play%: 23.8
Penalty Kill%: 81.9
Scoring leaders: Points: Andrew Brubakken, 36; Goals: A. Brubakken, 20; Assists: Brubakken, 16; Haydon Eckart, 15; Aiden Johnson, 14
Goalie leaders: Jaden Kleinjan, 21 (Games Played) 14 (Wins); 89.7 (SV%); 2.47 (GAA); Noah Hamar, 3 (Games Played); 2 (Wins); 93.9 (SV%); 1.61 (GAA)
Last year’s W. Region Tournament: 3rd (Won vs. Bottineau-Rugby; Loss vs. Dickinson; Won vs. Jamestown)
Did You Know: Century entered the third period tied in nine games this season, winning eight.

(3) Bismarck Legacy Sabers
Coaches: Ryan Faragher, Wade 
Davison
Overall Record: 12-7-1-1
WDA Record: 11-5-0-1
Victories over WDA teams with a winning record: 2 vs. Mandan; 1 vs. Jamestown; 1 vs. Bottineau-Rugby
Record when scoring the first goal: 11-3
Record when allowing the first goal: 2-5
Record in one-goal games: 3-5
Most goals scored in a game: 11 (vs. Bismarck High)
Most goals allowed in a game: 5 (vs. G.F. Red River)
Record when leading after 2 periods: 11-1
Record when trailing after 2 periods: 0-3
Record when tied after 2 periods: 2-4
Goals per game: 4.00
Goals allowed per game: 2.14
Longest win streak: 4 games (twice)
Longest losing streak: 2 games (twice)
Power Play%: 22.2
Penalty Kill%: 86.9
Scoring leaders: Points: Bradyn Strom, 34; Ben Garlie, 26; Goals: Strom, 15; Garlie, 15; Assists: Strom, 19; Caleb Johnson, 14
Goalie leaders: Tristan Otto, 18 (Games played); 10 (Wins); 90.0 (SV%); 2.37 (GAA)
Last year’s W. Region Tournament: 4th (Won vs. Williston; Loss vs. Minot High; Won vs. Mandan)
Did You Know: Legacy has qualified for the ND state tournament in each of its three seasons as a varsity program.

(4) Mandan Braves
Coaches: Matt Winkle, Marshall Tschida
Overall Record: 9-6-3-3
WDA Record: 9-4-2-3
Victories over WDA teams with a winning record: 1 vs. Minot High; 1 vs. Jamestown; 1 vs. Bottineau-Rugby
Record when scoring the first goal: 
10-5
Record when allowing the first goal: 2-4
Record in one goal games: 4-6
Most goals scored in a game: 8 (vs. Williston and Hazen-Beulah)
Most goals allowed in a game: 7 (vs. Minot High)

Record when leading after 2 periods: 9-1
Record when trailing after 2 periods: 0-3
Record when tied after 2 periods: 4-4
Longest win streak: 4 games 
Longest losing streak: 3 games
Goals per game: 3.48
Goals allowed per game: 2.43
Power Play%: 13.7
Penalty Kill%: 80.6
Scoring leaders: Points: Carson Joersz, 35; Goals: Joersz, 13; Trinity Anderson, 9; Brody Skalsky, 9; Assists: Joersz, 22
Goalie leaders: Cooper Anderson, 11 (Games Played); 7 (Wins); 89.5 (SV%); 2.65 (GAA); Jacob Walch, 8 (Games Played); 5 (Wins); 89.9 (SV%); 2.08 (GAA)
Last year’s W. Region Tournament: Did Not Place: Loss to Dickinson; Win vs. Bottineau-Rugby; Loss vs. Legacy
Did You Know: Mandan has netted the first goal in 15 games this season.

(5) Jamestown Blue Jays
Coach: Jake Stilwell
Overall Record: 12-7-1-1
WDA Record: 10-6-1-1
Victories over WDA teams with a winning record: 1 vs. Legacy; 1 vs. Mandan; 2 vs. Bottineau-Rugby
Record when scoring the first goal: 7-1
Record when allowing the first goal: 6-7
Record in one goal games: 3-3
Most goals scored in a game: 7 (vs. Grafton-Park River)
Most goals allowed in a game: 9 (vs. Minot High)
Record when leading after 2 periods: 8-1
Record when trailing after 2 periods: 0-6
Record when tied after 2 periods: 5-1
Longest win streak: 4 games (twice)
Longest losing streak: 3 games
Goals per game: 3.86
Goals allowed per game: 3.67
Power Play%: 23.8
Penalty Kill%: 76.3
Scoring leaders: Points: Jackson Maddock, 30; Parker Roelfsema, 28; Goals: Maddock, 16; Roelfsema, 13, Assists: Roelfsema, 15; Maddock, 14; Vaughn Romsdal, 13; Nate Walz, 13 
Goalie leaders: Leif Hansen, 14 (Games Played) 8 (Wins); 86.3 (SV%); 3.50 (GAA); Cooper Kirkeby, 6 (Games Played); 5 (wins); 85.0 (SV%); 3.33 (GAA)
Last year’s W. Region Tournament: Did Not Place; Loss vs. Minot; Won vs. Williston; Loss vs. Century
Did You Know: The Blue Jays are 5-1 when heading into the final period tied.

(6) Bottineau-Rugby Braves
Coach: Jesse Nostdahl
Overall Record: 9-9-3-0
WDA Record: 9-6-2-0
Victories over WDA teams with a winning record: 1 vs. Century; 1 vs. Legacy; 1 vs. Mandan
Record when scoring the first goal: 8-3
Record when allowing the first goal: 4-6
Record in one goal games: 4-1
Most goals scored in a game: 6 (vs. Dickinson)
Most goals allowed in a game: 7 (vs. Mayville-Portland)
Record when leading after 2 periods: 8-0
Record when trailing after 2 periods: 1-6
Record when tied after 2 periods: 3-3
Longest win streak: 4 games 
Longest losing streak: 3 games
Goals per game: 2.81
Goals allowed per game: 2.81
Power Play%: 14.5
Penalty Kill%: 92.9
Scoring leaders: Points: Peyton Getzlaff, 33; Tukker Fedje, 30; Goals: Getzlaff, 16; Fedje, 6; Assists: Fedje, 19; Getzlaff, 17
Goalie leaders: Mason Lynnes, 18 (Games Played); 12 (wins); 92.1 (SV%); 2.26 (GAA)
Last year’s W. Region Tournament: Did Not Place: Loss to Century; Loss to Mandan
Did You Know: Bottineau-Rugby sophomore goalie Mason Lynnes has pitched five shutouts.

(7) Williston Coyotes
Coach: Mat Ekblad
Overall Record: 8-11-1-1
WDA Record: 6-10-1-1
Victories over WDA teams with a winning record: None
Record when scoring the first goal: 9-3
Record when allowing the first goal: 0-9
Record in one goal games: 3-2
Most goals scored in a game: 8 (vs. Hazen-Beulah, twice)
Most goals allowed in a game: 9 (vs. Minot High)
Record when leading after 2 periods: 8-0
Record when trailing after 2 periods: 1-11
Record when tied after 2 periods: 0-1
Longest win streak: 7 games 
Longest losing streak: 9 games
Goals per game: 2.71
Goals allowed per game: 3.43
Power Play%: 14.6
Penalty Kill%: 79.3
Scoring leaders: Points: Chase Collings, 32; Goals: Collings, 17; Assists: Collings, 15; Matthew Schmit, 11
Goalie leaders: Bode Ekblad, 21 (Games Played); 7 (Wins); 90.7(SV%); 3.14 (GAA)
Last year’s W. Region Tournament: Did Not Place: Loss to Legacy; Loss vs. Jamestown
Did You Know: Williston won its first seven games.

(8) Bismarck High Demons
Coach: Stephen Dora
Overall Record: 4-16-0-1
WDA Record: 4-13-0-1
Victories over WDA teams with a winning record: None
Record when scoring the first goal: 4-3
Record when allowing the first goal: 0-14
Record in one goal games: 0-4
Most goals scored in a game: 6 (vs. Hazen-Beulah; Dickinson)
Most goals allowed in a game: 11 (vs. Legacy)
Record when leading after 2 periods: 3-0
Record when trailing after 2 periods: 0-16
Record when tied after 2 periods: 1-1
Longest win streak: 2 games 
Longest losing streak: 7 games
Goals per game: 1.57
Goals allowed per game: 3.71
Power Play%: 12.3
Penalty Kill%: 84.0
Scoring leaders: Points: Dylan Schneider, 15; Easton Richardson, 11; Goals: Schneider, 10; Richardon, 6; Quinton Wolf, 6 Assists: Schneider, 5; Richardson, 5
Goalie leaders: Owen Deeter, 17 (Games Played); 4 (Wins); 91.3 (SV%); 3.38 (GAA)
Last year’s W. Region Tournament: Did Not Place: Loss to Williston in play-in game.
Did You Know: Bismarck High has scored one goal or less in a game 14 times this season.

(9) Dickinson Midgets
Coach: Kass Dvorak
Overall Record: 4-13-1-3
WDA Record: 2-13-0-3
Victories over WDA teams with a winning or .500 record: None
Record when scoring the first goal: 1-4
Record when allowing the first goal: 4-12
Record in one goal games: 1-4
Most goals scored in a game: 6 (vs. Notre Dame Academy, Wilcox, SK)
Most goals allowed in a game: 7 (vs. Legacy)
Record when leading after 2 periods: 4-1
Record when trailing after 2 periods: 0-11
Record when tied after 2 periods: 1-4
Longest win streak: 2 games 
Longest losing streak: 7 game 
Goals per game: 2.19
Goals allowed per game: 3.71
Power Play%: 10.9
Penalty Kill%: 76.0
Scoring leaders: Points: Rylan Miller, 18 Goals: Miller, 7; Shayden Jackson-Zietz, 6; Assists: Miller, 11
Goalie leaders: Bryce Kadrmas, 20 (Games Played) 5 (Wins); 89.9 (SV%); 3.66 (GAA)
Last year’s W. Region Tournament: 1st; Won vs. Mandan; Won vs. Century; Won vs. Minot High
Did You Know: Dickinson became the first No. 4 seed to win the West Region Tournament title.

(10) Hazen-Beulah North Stars
Coach: Dan Frei
Overall Record: 0-20-0-0
WDA Record: 0-16-0-0
Victories over WDA teams with a winning record: None
Record when scoring the first goal: 0-5
Record when allowing the first goal: 0-15
Record in one goal games: 0-1
Most goals scored in a game: 9 (vs. Century JV; Mayville-Portland)
Most goals allowed in a game: 10 (vs. Minot JV, Legacy)
Record when leading after 2 periods: 0-0
Record when trailing after 2 periods: 0-18
Record when tied after 2 periods: 0-2
Longest win streak: 0 games
Longest losing streak: 20 games (current)
Goals per game: 1.30
Goals allowed per game: 5.70
Power Play%: 17.6
Penalty Kill%: 69.6
Scoring leaders: Points: Grady Holen, 15; Goals: Holen, 7; Assists: Holen, 8
Goalie leaders: Tracen Barclay, 18 (Games Played); 0 (Wins); 88.1 (SV%); 5.60 (GAA)
Last year’s W. Region Tournament: Did Not Place (Lost in play-in game at Bismarck High)
Did You Know: Hazen-Beulah last reached the West Region quarterfinals in 2016.
 

Photo: Century goalie Jaden Kleinjan