VIRGINIA/MOUNTAIN IRON-BUHL BLUE DEVILS

Coach: Cale Finseth, third season

2019-20 record: 7-17-2

Conference: Iron Range

Section: 7A

Key departure: D Dillon Drake (104—14)

Key returners: Sr. F Ryan Scherf (14-19—33) and jr. F Brennan Peterson (11-13—24) finished 1-2 on the team in scoring; five of six regular defensemen return: Matt Callister, Tom Nemanich (3-12—15), Tyler Lamourea, Braden Tiedman and Rollie Seppala; jr. G Ian Kangas (3.77 GAA, 900 save percentage)

Outlook: The Blue Devils return 13 players from last season, one in which the team lost nine games by at least five goals. Many of those were in a 2-10 start, while VMIB improved during the season by putting together a five-game unbeaten streak and back-to-back wins near the end of the regular season. The main core of defensemen is back — as is goalie

Kangas — so expect the team’s average of 4.8 goals allowed per game to drop.

Scoring punch was lacking last season though Scherf has a nice touch around the net and Finseth expects sophomores Isaac Flatley and Dylan Hedley to make contributions.

It’s hard to predict where the Blue Devils will end up in Section 7A considering the shortened season and the uncertainty surrounding the COVID19 pandemic.

“We are just thankful for the opportunity to have a season,” Finseth said. “The players are excited to be back on the ice and understand that we cannot take anything for granted this season. The season will come with its challenges of navigating hockey and the COVID pandemic. We look forward to another strong Section 7A and the competition it presents every game.”

Rick Weegman, News Tribune

Schedule

Jan. 16 — at Proctor

Jan. 19 — at Cloquet-Esko-Carlton

Jan. 21 — Eveleth-Gilbert

Jan. 26 — Cloquet-Esko-Carlton

Jan. 28 — International Falls, 7 p.m.

Feb. 2 — at Hermantown, 7 p.m.

Feb. 5 — Proctor, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 9 — Hibbing-Chisholm, 7 p.m.

Feb. 11 — at Greenway, 7 p.m.

Feb. 18 — Duluth East, 7 p.m.

Feb. 20 — at North Shore, 3 p.m.

Feb. 23 — Greenway, 7 p.m.

Feb. 26 — Warroad, 7 p.m.

Mar. 2 — at Duluth Denfeld, 7 p.m.

Mar. 4 — at Eveleth-Gilbert, 7 p.m.

Mar. 6 — North Shore, 3 p.m.

Mar. 9 — at International Falls, 7:30 p.m.

Mar. 11 — at Hibbing-Chisholm, 7 p.m.