Thisweek Newspapers Farmington and Lakeville by Sun Thisweek

Kloos still picking up points in bunches Lakeville South senior and Mr. Hockey finalist leads Class AA in scoring again by Mike Shaughnessy Thisweek Newspapers

Justin Kloos has the statistics. He has the scholarship in his back pocket. Next month, he might be named the state’s Mr. Hockey. But he really would like to play in the state tournament before his high school hockey career ends. Kloos, the leading scorer in Class AA last season and again this year, has never had a chance to perform on that stage. For Kloos and his Lakeville South teammates, the state tournament can be a sore subject. The last two years the Cougars were heavily favored going into the Section 1AA championship game but lost to Lakeville North, their neighboring rival. South is 15-8 after defeating Lakeville North 4-2 and Apple Valley 3-0 in South Suburban Conference games last week. The Cougars were ranked 13th in Class AA. “This is going to be my third try at it,” Kloos, a senior center, said of the Cougars’ state tournament bid. “Right now we’re playing well in our D-zone, and that’s going to be important in the playoffs.

“We’re bummed that we’ve lost four or five games by one goal to top-10 teams. That’s been a little frustrating. But we know if we can get to the state tournament we can play with those teams.” Lakeville North is 11-12, but the Panthers figure to be contenders in the Section 1AA playoffs that start next week. The Lakeville teams split two regular-season games, with each winning on the other’s home ice. Rochester Century, 16-51 in its first 22 games, also could be in the mix in the section. But Century has lost non-conference games to both Lakeville schools. Kloos had a goal and two assists in each of South’s victories last week. Through 23 games he had 75 points (31 goals, 44 assists). He has had six five-point games this season and could still surpass the 90 points he scored in 2010-11 if the Cougars go on a deep playoff run. Kloos scored 55 points as a sophomore, skating with Alex Harvey and Kyle Osterberg on what became known as the “Penguin Line.” Osterberg left after that season to join the U.S. National Team Development

Program, but Kloos and Harvey have remained together. Harvey has 53 points (23 goals, 30 assists) this season. Sophomore Patrick Lauderdale skates with Kloos and Harvey and has 30 points on 15 goals and 15 assists. Last week Kloos was one of three South Suburban Conference players (Eagan’s Michael Zajac and Will Merchant were the others) named finalists for the Mr. Hockey award. In addition to being a dangerous scorer, Kloos has long been lauded for his hockey I.Q. and playmaking skills. That type of player generally loves it when he has more room to work, so it’s not a surprise that Kloos signed with a college team that plays on a big sheet of ice. He plans to play at the University of Minnesota, which has its home games on the extra-wide Mariucci Arena rink. “I love the big ice. I think it benefits all the little guys like me,” said Kloos, who’s 5-foot-9, 170 pounds. Once the Gophers offered him a scholarship, that pretty much ended the recruitment process. He ver-

bally committed to Minnesota in April 2011. “Everybody says they’re looking for the best fit,” Kloos said. “But I knew if the Gophers gave me a chance I’d choose them.” Still to be decided is if he will join the Gophers next season or play a year of Junior A hockey first. Kloos said he’s open to either possibility. First, however, is the section tournament and another possible showdown with Lakeville North. Lakeville South coach Kurt Weber said it can be tough for his team to play Lakeville North because the emotion of the rivalry can detract from the players’ focus. He said he thought that was the case in the Cougars’ Feb. 9 victory at North. “I didn’t think we played well,” Weber said. “But we found a way to win the game anyway, and that’s important.” When the Cougars and Panthers play, “it doesn’t seem to matter what the records are,” Kloos said. “It’s who makes plays at the right time – and who gets breaks.”

THISWEEK �� February �� 17, �� 2012 ��

Panthers/from 10A last season and won his 100th match in late January. Lucas Westrich, who won his 75th career match as a freshman on Feb. 9, also has a good chance to qualify individually. At 145 pounds, he’s ranked No. 8. His main competition appears to be Ethan Loosbruck from Chaska and Chase Monger of Eden Prairie. Colton Pasvogel (132), Aaron Baker (182) and Aaron Almedina (220) also have outstanding chances to make it to state, according to Donner. “They will be happy only with a state berth,” Donner said. “That is their goal and that is what they want. We have others that may pull some upsets and possibly surprise some opponents.“

Lakeville South The Cougars don’t have as high of a seed, but that doesn’t mean Lakeville South will be shut out at state. Tom Petersen is not only the favorite to win the section title, but he’s ranked No. 1 in the state at 195 pounds. His brother Zane Petersen won a state title last season, a first for anyone in Lakeville. Scott Bode of Shakopee looks to be Tom Petersen’s main competitor for the section title. Tom Petersen finished

11A ��

sixth at state last season, but everyone he lost to at state has since graduated. Scott Bode of Shakopee appears to be his toughest obstacle to win a section title. He’s defeated other ranked wrestlers such as Apple Valley’s Paul Cheney and Bode already.

Farmington Illness has stunted the Farmington wrestling team’s prospects this season. The Tigers have rarely competed at full strength. As the host of the team competition, the Tigers hope to get healthy by this weekend. Last season the boys came in with the eighth seed and lost in the first round to top-seeded Prior Lake. Taylor Venz is hoping to get a high seed individually. His biggest competitor looks to be Degrammont from North. The two met at the Lakeville North Duals last week with Degrammont winning 5-3. A few Tigers know how hard it is to even place in the section meet. At the individual meet last year Jacob Gabbard (sixth at 112), Kyle Benjamin (fourth at 103), Matt Rustad (sixth at 119), Bret Hoffman (sixth at 275) found themselves in the top six. The top two move on to state. Andy Rogers is at andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com.

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