skip navigation

St. Paul United Opens State Tourney With 10-0 Thumping of Mankato East

02/22/2017, 2:45pm CST
By Peter Odney

United's Joie Phelps Racks Up Six Points in Lopsided Win

Credit: Nick Wosika.

Credit: Nick Wosika.

Defeating a team by double-digits doesn’t often reveal obvious mistakes, but St. Paul United coach Nate Mauer misses nothing over the course of a game.

“I liked offensively what we did, as far as getting on the puck forechecking, using the net and creating space,” Mauer said after his United thumped Mankato East 10-0 in the quarterfinals of the Class A State Tournament on Wednesday afternoon.

“I felt we had some mistakes defensively, coughed up pucks, didn’t move our feet,” Mauer added, noting early scoring chances for the Cougars.

After those initial opportunities, the Cougars (17-9-2) played the rest of the game on their heels, surrendering four goals in the first period and five in the second before entering running time in the third.

“The effort was there early and all game long,” Mankato East coach Nate Fuller said. “(St. Paul United) capitalized on a few early opportunities,” Fuller continued. “We had some chances early too, and we came up short, and then the game kind of snowballed.”

Senior forward and Cornell commit Joie Phelps racked up three goals and six points for the United (20-6-2), just one point shy of the record for points in a tournament game, held by Natalie Darwitz.

Darwitz recorded seven points in a game against Chaska in the 2000 version of the State Tournament.

Credit: Nick Wosika.

Credit: Nick Wosika.

Maggie Conners recorded two goals in the win for the United, with Hayley Hoffman, Jenna Hoops and Lauren Boettcher each adding one goal apiece. Hoops also added three assists.

Phelps has been the beneficiary of a new offensive system installed by Mauer several games ago, which focuses more heavily on line balance and space creation than it does on individual efforts.

“We’ve always got, I feel, two dominant players on the ice,” Mauer said, referring to the decision to separate Phelps from junior forward and fellow Cornell commit Samantha Burke in the lineup.

Burke scored two goals in the win over Mankato East.

The adjustment has allowed the United to execute Mauer’s new system, which he describes as an answer to the previously less successful transition game.

“Get the puck behind the (opponent’s) net, create space and make their ‘D’ make choices,” Mauer explained.

The No. 2 seed United will face either third-seeded Warroad or Hibbing/Chisholm in the Friday semifinals, while the Cougars will enter the consolation bracket to be played at Ridder Arena.

Credit: Nick Wosika.

Credit: Nick Wosika.

Top Stories

Tag(s): State Of Hockey  News