Offseason breakdown No. 58: Northern Lakes
With 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 Northern…
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Continue ReadingWith 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 Northern Lakes.
How last season went
For the most part, the Lightning were a team that bounced around the .500 mark. But that was not the case for a two-week stretch in January. Northern Lakes rattled off six consecutive wins in that stretch. When the regular season dust settled, the Lightning boasted a 14-10-1 record. That included wins against North Branch and Proctor and a second-place finish in the Mid-State Conference.
Heading into the annually chaotic Section 5A tournament, Northern Lakes held the No. 6 seed, which meant a date with 11th-seed Becker/Big Lake. The Lightning made quick work and won 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals. At that point, things got significantly more difficult. Because of that, Northern Lakes lost to Pine City 3-1.
Who’s back and who’s gone
Shane Donovan Shane Donovan Forward Northern Lakes | 2020 State MN had gained statewide notoriety with his scoring prowess last season. He will surely be missed by the Lightning community as he graduates following a 70-point senior campaign (32 goals, 38 assists).
One piece of good news for Northern Lakes is the amount of younger players skating next to Donovan and learning from one of the state’s best scorers. Hunter Nybakken, Caiden Kjelstrom and Kyler Couture all are expected to return after finishing second, third and fourth in points this past season, respectively. Nybakken posted 47 points (24G, 23A) while Kjelstrom and Couture combined for 29 goals and 35 assists.
In net, Adler Hoagland appeared in 18 games and is set to return after posting a .896 save percentage. His season last year included a two-game stretch against Little Falls and Princeton where he posted a .941 save percentage. Sam LeMieur appeared in 7 games as a senior and posted a .859 save percentage.
What to expect next season
There was certainly some progress made last season, including that six-game win streak. But there’s a lot of room for improvement with the amount of returning players. Though Donovan is a major loss, Northern Lakes should have a chance to compete in a section known for showcasing newcomers at the Class 1A state tournament.