Rebels boys hockey ends season in section semifinals

Fourth-seed Champlin Park boys hockey’s season came to an end in the Section 5AA semifinals last week to conclude its 2023/24 season. The team defeated fifth-seed Totino-Grace on Feb. 22, before falling to first-seed Maple Grove in the semifinals on Feb. 24.

Totino-Grace

Champlin Park opened last week with an 8-1 Section 6AA quarterfinal win over Totino-Grace at home to begin the postseason on a strong note.

Totino-Grace ended the regular season with a 6-6 record in the Northwest Suburban Conference, 14-11 overall. The Eagles did lose to the Rebels in January, but went on to win their final three games of the season over Osseo, Mankato West and Blake to enter the post-season on a high note.

The night started slowly despite the goals to come. Brockton Sandell scored the first period’s only goal with three minutes to spare, giving the Rebels an early lead. It was also Sandell’s first varsity goal for Champlin Park.

The Rebels turned the heat up in the second period, scoring four goals through Nick Carlson, Ty McGee, Brent Solomon on a power play, and Will Burnevik. With a packed crowd behind them, Champlin Park led 5-0 and looked firmly in control.

Any worries of a slower start to the final period were extinguished in moments as Solomon and Cole Perkins scored two goals in the first minute of play, making it 7-0.

Totino-Grace scored a consolation short-handed goal late in the third period to make it 7-1, but Champlin Park had the final laugh with a hat-trick goal for Solomon.

Both teams were handed double penalties following a fight in the second-to-last minute, but the drama did not stop Champlin Park from booking a spot in the section semifinals.

Maple Grove

Champlin Park traveled to Elk River’s Furniture and Things Community Center to face Maple Grove in the Section 5AA semifinals on Feb. 24, falling 6-1 to the Crimson to conclude the Rebels 2023/24 season.

Trevor Aberwald ends the season as top points earner with 61 from 24 goals and 37 assists. Will Burnevik had 56 points from 17 goals and 39 assists, while Brent Solomon had 47 points from 33 goals and 14 assists.

The Rebels are graduating six seniors, including Aberwald, Ty McGee, Matthew Lange, Cole Jerpseth, Burnevik, and Evan Whipple.