Offseason breakdown No. 39: East Ridge
With most sports on hold and the 2020-21 season still months out, it’s time to take a look at teams from all over the State of Hockey and examine what happened this past season and what’s ahead. The next team…
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Continue ReadingWith most sports on hold and the 2020-21 season still months out, it’s time to take a look at teams from all over the State of Hockey and examine what happened this past season and what’s ahead. The next team we’re breaking down is East Ridge.
How last season went
Through the first four games of the 2019-20 season, it looked like it was going to be an uphill battle for the Raptors as they dropped four of their first five games of the regular season.
However, things began to turn in East Ridge’s favor. After getting closer and closer to that .500 record, the Raptors turned it into high gear in the final stretch of the regular season. East Ridge rattled off six consecutive wins to end the regular season. That included key wins against Cretin-Derham Hall and Woodbury. The Raptors finished the regular season with a 13-11-1 record, good enough for fifth in the Suburban East Conference.
East Ridge’s quarterfinal matchup came in the four-five game of the Section 4AA tournament. The Raptors’ postseason run quickly came and went as they fell to conference foe Mounds View.
Who’s back and who’s gone
When East Ridge had its success, it largely came in part thanks to experienced skaters and goaltenders. Marco Troje Marco Troje Forward East Ridge | 2020 State MN , Jack Brown and Tanner Johnson were all senior leaders on the ice for the Raptors and finished their careers as the top three scorers on the 2019-20 East Ridge squad. Troje led the way with 45 points (31 goals, 14 assists). Not far behind was Brown (11G, 33A) while Johnson proved to be most effective as a feeder with 24 assists.
In net, Connor Dokken played his part as he pulled the team’s weight in net with a .911 save percentage.
When next season rolls around, look to Blake Polifka for someone who could save the day for the Raptors. He tallied 20 points (4G, 16A) last season.
What to expect next season
Looking at the scoring leaders, there’s not a doubt in the world East Ridge has some work to do if the Raptors want to improve upon last season. As a program in the East Metro, which has its fair share of talent, it shouldn’t be an impossible task for East Ridge to reload.