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 Providence Academy.
How last season went
Providence Academy hasn’t had a winning season since 2017-2018, but they came out of the gates firing to start the year. The Lions won eight of their first 12 contests and really out-played expectations heading into January. However, 2020 was not kind to PA, as they finished the regular season on a 1-11-1 skid, being outscored 27-63 during that stretch.
The Lions have yet to make it through Section 2A featuring the likes of powerhouses Orono, Delano, Breck, and Robbinsdale Armstrong. That trend continued, as PA failed to make it past their play-in game opponent, #8 seeded Bloomington Kennedy. Providence Academy suffered a tough 3-4 overtime loss to end their season.
Who’s back and who’s gone
Who isn’t back might be an easier question to answer, as the Lions only skated two seniors last season. Of those two, George Wehmann (2G, 8A) was a strong defenseman for the Lions who will be missed as both of his goals this season came during the playoffs vs Kennedy.
All three of their top scorers – Joshua Mogeni Joshua Mogeni forward Providence Academy | 2022 MN , Thomas Vos Thomas Vos forward Providence Academy | 2021 MN , and Delfin Cruz Delfin Cruz forward Providence Academy | 2021 MN are set to return after combining for 38 goals and 33 assists. Another big returning piece is starting goaltender Joshua Koskie Joshua Koskie Goalie Providence Academy | 2021 MN . Koskie had a respectable 8-13-1 record last season with a 3.57 GAA and .899 SV % for the Lions.
What to expect next season
In order to make it past the first couple of rounds in Section 2A, Providence Academy is going to have to play more consistent and disciplined hockey. Last season they spent 34 more minutes in the penalty box compared to their opponents, and with a 80.2% Penalty Kill they really paid the price. However, with almost their whole team coming back, look to see a more poised Lions team that can hopefully build around top scorer Joshua Mogeni Joshua Mogeni forward Providence Academy | 2022 MN (15G, 15A) and win close games.