Hockey Day Minnesota 2018 is almost here, and we're celebrating with a special edition of the State of Hockey Tracker. We're checking in with some of the best players of Hockey Days past, as well as the teams that will take the ice Saturday in St. Cloud.
From high school to the pros, check out our recap of all the week’s events in Minnesota hockey, as we check in with college players, prep standouts and State of Hockey alums.
Let’s take a look at this week’s three-star selection, along with other notes, in the latest edition of the State of Hockey Tracker.
FIRST STAR
Jake Randolph, F, Nebraska-Omaha (NCHC)
Randolph was named NCAA's First Star of the Week after racking up six points to lead Nebraska-Omaha to a two-game sweep of conference rival Miami. A Duluth East alum, he took the ice for Hockey Day Minnesota 2012, scoring two goals and adding an assist in the Greyhounds' 9-3 loss to Edina. He finished his senior season with 34 goals and 38 assists while leading the Greyhounds' to their third consecutive state tournament appearance.
SECOND STAR
Nick Portz, F, St. Cloud Tech/Apollo (Section 8AA)
Portz led a wild St. Cloud comeback with his team trailing 3-1 entering the third period. The senior scored less than five minutes into the third to cut Minneapolis' lead to 3-2, then score the game-tying goal just over five minutes later. He added an assist on Sam Rud's game-winner with seven minutes to go to lead St. Cloud to a 4-3 win.
THIRD STAR
Isaac Henkemeyer-Howe, F, Moorhead High School (Section 8AA)
The Spuds have struggled a bit in the New Year, but after suffering their first shutout in 36 games last week, Moorhead bounced back with authority against Breck. Henkemeyer-Howe led the rout, scoring three goals and adding an assist to lead the Spuds to a 13-1 win. The junior's line finished with a whopping 10 total points in the win. Moorhead takes on Centennial at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
AROUND THE RINK
-- Minnesota State's Brad McClure scored back-to-back goals Saturday in the Mavericks' 5-1 win over Alaska. The Mavericks take on St. Cloud State at 5 p.m. on FOX Sports North PLUS.
-- Mack Motzko (St. Cloud Cathedral) and Sam Rud (St. Cloud Tech/Apollo) will square off Saturday in the second outdoor game. Mack is the son of St. Cloud State men's hockey coach Bob Motzko, while Rud is the son of St. Cloud State women's hockey coach Eric Rud.
-- The Gophers are struggling, but Hockey Day Minnesota 2017 alum Casey Mittelstadt scored another highlight-reel goal Friday in Minnesota's 5-3 loss to Big Ten rival Michigan.
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