Earning respect

The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines boys' hockey team has arrived -- almost.

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The Section 4, Class 1A champions will continue to play the role of underdogs when they face the South St. Paul Packers 2 p.m. Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the state tournament at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center.

This is the first state trip for W-DC. The Packers are apperaing in their 28th state tournament.

Despite a 26-1-0 record, W-DC finished unranked in the state polls. It didn't even receive consideration. South St. Paul (22-5-1) is ranked sixth.

W-DC isn't interested in making a cameo appearance in the tournament, however.

Tyler Neu

"It's one of those things where we're really excited to be there," said W-DC coach Scott Woods, "but we're not happy just to get there. Talking to the kids, we want to go down and try and gain some respect. The pressure was getting down there. Now we can go and play hard. The kids are handling it pretty well."

W-DC is aware of the Packers' rich hockey history and current success. South St. Paul has outscored its opponents 129-62. The main reason is the play of its goalie.

Alex Stalock has played every minute in goal for the Packers. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound junior has a 92.2 save percentage with a 2.17 goals-against average. He has five shutouts, including a 3-0 win over Red Wing in the Section 3 final Friday.

Andrew Murray

"We returned four of our top five leading scorers from last year and our top goaltender," said Packers coach Jeff Lagoo. "We had high expectations and we knew we were going to have a strong team. We knew if we could stay healthy, which we have, and get a few breaks, which we have, we could be there in March."

This is the first time since 1996, however, the Packers have advanced to state.

"For this group of kids this is going to be their first state trip, too," said Woods. "They're going to be just as nervous as we are."

W-DC won't be nervous about goalie Kyle Timm. The senior held the Little Falls Flyers and Fergus Falls Otters to one goal apiece in the last two games. He enters the state tournament with a 14-1 record, 93.5 save percentage, 1.6 goals-against average and three shutouts.

Wednesday, March 10

At St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center

Albert Lea (19-9-0) vs. Breck (25-1-2), Noon

Wadena-Deer Creek (26-1-0) vs. South St. Paul (22-5-1), 2 p.m.

Warroad (26-2) vs. Orono (24-3-1), 7 p.m.

St. Cloud Cathedral (25-4) vs. Hibbing (11-14-1), 9 p.m.

Thursday, March 11

At Mariucci Arena

Consolation Bracket

Albert Lea/Breck loser vs. W-DC/SSP loser, 10 a.m.

Warroad/Orono loser vs. St. Cloud Cathedral/Hibbing loser, Noon

Friday, March 12

At Xcel Energy Center

Albert Lea/Breck winner vs. W-DC/SSP winner, Noon

Warroad/Orono winner vs. St. Cloud Cathedral/Hibbing winner, 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 13

At Xcel Energy Center

Third-place, 9 a.m.

Championship, Noon

At Mariucci Arena

Consolation championship 10 a.m.

Individual leaders

Wadena-Deer Creek

Name Goals Total Points

Tyler Neu 36 68

Andrew Murray 29 59

Dustin Postell 15 42

Kyle Dickhaus 15 42

Travis Pettit 20 35

Brandon Currie 18 33

Josh Pettit 13 31

Goalie GAA Save %

Kyle Timm 1.6 .935

Pete Miley 1.2 .913

South St. Paul

Name Goals Total Points

Mike Pilot 34 52

Nick Stalock 22 49

Mark Bernier 14 40

Louie LaManna 22 32

Brett Crowe 14 32

Jeff Miller 6 19

David Cosgrove 7 17

Goalie GAA Save %

Alex Stalock 2.17 .922

Team statistics

W-DC SSP

Power Play 36 37

Power play goals 39 29

Penalty Kill 86 84

Power play goals allowed 12 18

Shorthanded goals 5 5

Shots on Goal 1120 930

Opp. Shots on Goal 559 797

Goals Scored 185 129

Goals allowed 39 62

"The way he's played the last couple of games, and all year, I like our chances," said Woods. "When we're not scoring he's held us in it. Times when teams have gotten a flurry going against us, he's made some outstanding saves. If he plays that way he gives us a good chance."

W-DC also has an explosive offense, led by Tyler Neu and Andrew Murray, that has outscored opponents 185-39. Neu leads the team with 36 goals and 68 points followed by Murray (29, 59). Dustin Postell and Kyle Dickhaus both have 42 points followed by Travis Pettit (20, 35) and Brandon Currie 18, 33).

"Any time you have a team with that type of a record you start to worry a little," Lagoo said of W-DC. "They know how to win. They were in the Class A Pee Wee state tournament. They have some players who are scoring points. They also have some size.

"We need to continue to play the defense we've been playing lately. We allowed three goals in the three playoff games. We're finally giving our goalie more help in front of him. We would like to get back to scoring goals like we were earlier in the year."

Leading the Packers in scoring is center Mike Pilot. The 6-foot, 210-pounder has 34 goals and 52 points. His first-line teammates are senior David Cosgrove (7, 17) and junior Brett Crowe (14, 32).

Second-line center Nick Stalock has 22 goals and 49 points and senior defenseman Mark Bernier has 14 goals and 40 points.

"We have to play our best game," said Woods. "We can't have any letdowns. We need to play 51 minutes. If we don't, and have even a little letdown, we could be down a lot in a game like this.

"We feel like our chances are good, but we're far from overconfident."