{"id":10588,"date":"2025-03-06T11:20:48","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T17:20:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebatchellerpad.com\/?page_id=10588"},"modified":"2025-08-08T14:12:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T19:12:05","slug":"metros-2-2024-25-usa-hockey-national-championship-tournament","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.thebatchellerpad.com\/?page_id=10588","title":{"rendered":"Metros 2 2024-25 USA Hockey National Championship Tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\"
\n<\/span>
\nHome of the Two-Time USA Hockey National Champions<\/span><\/strong>
\n\"\" \"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>USA Hockey 2025 High School Hockey National Championships<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Irvine, CA \/ March 26th-30th, 2025
\n<\/span>A collection of Championship teams from all over the country, converge in Irvine to compete in the High School National
\nChampionships. The tournament is split between the Great Park and the FivePoint Ice Arenas. This is one of the the largest ice
\nfacilities in the United States. Consisting of three NHL & one Olympic sized rinks, it is also home to the Anaheim Ducks practice
\nfacility. In addition, the campus hosts a full complement of entertainment and leisure amenities including dining, shopping,
\narcades, lodging, exercise opportunities and public & private ice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sioux City arrives this week in Irvine, excited for the rare opportunity to defend a National Championship. This will be the
\nMetros third USA Hockey National Tournament appearance in the last eight years, having won in 2018 and 2024. The team is
\nloaded with experience; both players and coaching staff all have tournament experience. The usually high-scoring and always
\nfast-paced Metros enter the tournament as one of the favorites and most teams know a National Championship win, is gonna
\nhave to go through Sioux City.<\/span><\/p>\n

2025 National Championships<\/strong><\/span><\/span>\"\"
\nBack Row: <\/span><\/strong>Chris Hedquist, Andy Pinney, Ben Deck, Spencer Elsea, Tegan Doelman, Demetri Tsiobanos, Blake Bunagan,
\nHunter Echter, Brody Herman, Karson Fitch, Jesse Monell, Scott Patrick
\nFront Row:<\/strong> Cam Patrick, Jackson Pinney, Kaden Netley, Brayden Ownby, Jax Trosper, Logan Cherkas, Ryan Hedquist,
\nNoah Graham, Noah Dirkschneider, Cooper Bunce<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

USA Hockey 2025 National Championships Top Scorers
\n<\/strong>Sioux City places five players among the National Tournament’s top ten scorers. Four of these players are the individual
\nPool’s top scorers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Ryan Hedquist <\/span><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Tegan Doelman\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Hunter Echter \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Noah Dirkschneider\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0
\n<\/span><\/strong>Metros 2022-25\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Metros 2022-25\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Metros 2022-25\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Metros 2022-25<\/span>
\n<\/span>\"\" \"\" \"\" \"\"
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>Ryan Hedquist<\/strong> finishes the National Tournament as the second leading scorer; recording a goal and a tournament leading
\nnine assists. Tegan Doelman<\/strong> is third with five goals and four assists. Hunter Echter<\/strong> grabbed a Pool leading six goals and
\nan assist. Noah Dirkschneider<\/strong> records a goal and five assists.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Karson Fitch\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Brody Herman\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Blake Dunagan
\n<\/span><\/strong>Metros 2021-25\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Metros 2022-25\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Metros 2022-25<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>\"\"\u00a0\"\" \"\"
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>Karson Fitch<\/strong> tallys two goals and three helpers. Brody Herman<\/strong> and Blake Dunagan<\/strong> also record points in the
\nNational Tournament; Brody with a goal and two assists and Blake with a red-lighter and an assist.<\/span><\/p>\n

Between the Pipes
\nCam Patrick<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\"\u00a0\"\"
\n<\/strong><\/span>Goaltender Cameron Patrick<\/strong> carries the mail for the Metros this weekend playing in all five games. Despite posting a
\npair of losses, Cam ends the weekend as one of the National Tournament’s top goaltenders. He faces a tournament high
\nof 128 shots, but surrenders just eight goals. His save percentage of .930 is tops and his goals against average of 1.75 is
\nsecond best. Cam also posted a tournament leading two shut-outs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Assistant Coach\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Head Coach\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Assistant Coach\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Assistant Coach
\nScott Patrick\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Jesse Monell\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Chris Hedquist\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Andy Pinney<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2025 USA Hockey Division I, II & III <\/strong><\/span>Participants
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>This year’s tournament format has been changed; dropping the participating team’s Pure <\/em>or Combined <\/em>status and adding
\nanother division. This third division, allows for the addition of eight high-profile Prep-Schools to also compete in the tournament.
\n<\/span> Forty high school teams, divided into Divisions I, II & III, will now compete for a USA Hockey National Championship.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Midwest League (MHSHL) regular Season and State Tournament Champions, the Metros arrive ready to represent
\nthe State of Iowa. Joining the Metros in the USA Pool (Division II) are teams from Arizona, Indiana and Pheonix.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Divided into four different pools, each team plays their opponents once. Only the first two teams advance to Saturday\u2019s
\nsemi-final play-off round; pitting the winner of one pool taking on the second place finisher of a different pool. Later that
\nday, the winners of both contests\u00a0play for an opportunity to advance to the National Championship game the following day.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Division II Pool Groups<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Pool-Liberty
\n<\/strong>McKinney Texas (TX) * Omaha Jr. Lancers (NE) * Erie Cathedral Ramblers, (PA) * Rushmore Thunder (SD)<\/span>
\nPool- NHL<\/strong><\/span>
\nNorth Broward Eagles (FL) * Miami Jr. Redhawks (OH) * Illinois TBA (IL) * <\/span>Colorado Bruins (CO)<\/span>
\nPool-Olympic
\n<\/strong>Sreaming Eagles (CO) * Canton-Akron Jets (OH) * Long Beach (NY) * California TBA (CA)<\/span>
\nPool-USA<\/strong><\/span>
\nPinnacle Pioneers (AZ) * Keller Texas (TX) * Sioux City Metros (IA) * St. Joseph (IN)<\/span><\/p>\n

National Tournament Player Recap
\n<\/span>Karson Fitch\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Jackson Pinney
\n<\/span>\"\" \"\"
\n<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Team Captain Karson Fitch is another one of the pool’s top scorers, recording a pair of goals and three helpers. He opens
\nthe tournament with a game-winner against St. Joseph. Senior Jackson Pinny sees time in all five games and is held
\nscorelss in this very defensive tournament games.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Deck\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Blake Dunagan
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\"\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\"
\nSenior Ben Deck<\/strong> would see time in all five of the Metros contests this National Championship week. Another senior Blake
\nDunagan <\/strong>records a goal in the opening game against St. Joseph and adds another assist in the Colorado game.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


\nUSA Hockey National Tournament Game 1<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Wednesday, March 26th<\/span>
\n<\/strong>\"\"Sioux City (IA) Metros vs. St. Joseph (IN) Huskies\"\"<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>Sioux City Metros<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Who They Are:\u00a0<\/strong>Located in Sioux City, IA, the greater Siouxland area has a population of approximately one hundred<\/span>
\nthousand people. The Metros also draw in players in from several surrounding towns as well. They are members of the<\/span>
\nMidwest High School Hockey League (MHSHL). They have won the League Championship nine times; the most recent<\/span>
\nbeing this 2025 season.\u00a0 In 2024 they were also the USA Hockey National Champions for the second time.
\n<\/span>
\nHow They Got There:\u00a0<\/strong>The Metros dominated the thirty-two game regular season; boasting twenty-seven wins and just<\/span>
\nfive losses. They would win three more times, securing the team’s ninth Tournament Championship. The League’s
\ntop three scorers and best goaltender are all Metros. Their coach is a two-time MHSHL Coach of the Year.<\/span><\/p>\n

How They Did:<\/span><\/strong> Sioux City would finish second in the USA Pool recording wins against Keller (TX) and St. Joseph (IN).
\nThey would take a disappointing lose to the very beatable Pinnacle Pioneers (AZ). Sioux Ctty would mount a quarter-finals
\ncome-back, recording four straight goals; defeating the favored Valor High Screaming Eagles (CO) in overtime. <\/span><\/span>However,
\nthey would fall short in the semi-final game to the eventual National Champions, the Rushmore Thunder (SD). A game
\nthat was undecided until a Thunder shot found the back of an empty net with just five second remaining.<\/span><\/p>\n

St. Joseph Catholic Huskies <\/strong><\/span>
\nWho They Are:\u00a0<\/strong>Located in South Bend, Indiana, the Huskies draw players from the surrounding area with an approximate
\npopulation of 300,000 people. They are members of the six team Indiana State High School Hockey League (ISHSHL)
\nand the Indiana State Independent Hockey League, made up of additional surrounding area teams from Indiana and Michigan.<\/span><\/p>\n

How They Got There:<\/strong> The Huskies finished the ISHSHL regular season with perfect 15-0 season and win
\nthe post-season City Tournament. The third ranked Huskies are defeated in the State Championship semi-finals game.
\nThey would also play an additional Independent League schedule, finishing the season with an overall 39-8-3 record.
\nThey boast four players among the League\u2019s top ten scorers and the League’s top goaltender.<\/span><\/p>\n

How They Did:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>St. Joseph would start out round-robin play with a pair of losses and a single win, finishing in third
\nplace in the USA Pool. Recording\u00a0losses to the Sioux City Metros (IA) and the Pinnacle Pioneers (AZ) they would grab
\ntheir first win of the tournament against the Keller (TX).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Round Robin Game One
\n<\/strong>Wednesday, March 26th
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>5-Sioux City (IA) Metros vs. St. Joseph (IN) Huskies-0<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Metros start-out this year’s National Tournament in grand fashion as they beat Indiana State’s second best team. Five
\ndifferent Metros record goals including Karson Fitch <\/strong>(Hedquist, Doleman) with the eventual game-winner just three minutes
\ninto the game. Brody Herman<\/strong> (Hunter Echter) and Blake Dunagan<\/strong> (Hedquist) would also grab first period tallies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Karson Fitch\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Brody Herman\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Blake Dunagan<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\" \"\" \"\"
\nThe second period is all Metros, with Hunter Echter<\/strong> (Hedquist) and Ryan Hedquist<\/strong> (Fitch, Doleman) giving the Metros
\na commanding lead. The Metros defense is stellar and allows just seven shots on goal in the remaining two periods.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ryan Hedquist\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Hunter Echter
\n<\/span><\/strong>\"\" \"\"
\nRyan Hedquist<\/strong> grabs a goals and a pair of assists. Hunter Echter<\/strong> and Karson Fitch<\/strong> both record a goal and an assist.
\nBrody Herman<\/strong> and Blake Dunagan<\/strong> grab goals. Tegan Doelman<\/strong> records a pair of helpers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tegan Doelman\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Cam Patrick
\n<\/span><\/strong>\"\" \"\"
\nGoaltender Cam Patrick<\/strong> is his usual stingy-self, allowing the visitors from Indiana no chance to get on the score sheet.
\nHe stops seventeen shots and records one of the first two shut-outs of the tournament. This is also Cam’s first National
\nChampionship shut-out.<\/span><\/p>\n

National Tournament Player Recap
\nRyan Hedquist\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Tegan Doelman
\n<\/strong><\/span>\"\"\u00a0\"\"
\nTeam Captain Ryan Hedquist<\/strong> leads all scorers in the USA Pool with ten points; recording goal and a National Tournament
\nleading nine assists. He grabs his single tally in the opeing game against St. Joseph and records assists on all five of the
\nMetros goals in a win over Keller.\u00a0 Tegan Doelman<\/strong> is also a top scorer with nine points;five goals and four assists. He would
\nrecord a hat trick against Keller and grad two more goals in win over Colorado, including the game-winner in overtime.
\n
\nNational Tournament Player Recap
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>Logan Cherkas\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Jax Trosper
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\" \"\"
\nTwo new juniors players, Logan Cherkas<\/strong> and Jax Trosper<\/strong>make their first appearance at the USA Hockey National
\nTournament. Both players have a busy week playing in all five of the Metros games.<\/span><\/p>\n

Round Robin Game Two
\n<\/strong>Thursday, March 27th<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span>\"\"<\/span>Sioux City (IA) Metros vs. Keller ISD (TX) \"\"
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>Keller (TX) Independent School District <\/strong><\/span>
\nWho They Are:\u00a0<\/strong>A suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Keller draws players from city population of around
\n50,000 residents. They are members of the eight team AT & T Metroplex High School Hockey League. They also
\nplay a shortened schedule of additional surrounding non-league teams.
\n<\/span>
\nHow They Got There:\u00a0<\/strong>Keller finishes the regular season with a mediocre 8-8 record, but shine at the League\u2019s State
\nTournament. They beat the state\u2019s top team in round robin play, but fall a tally short of defeating them in championship
\ngame, losing in overtime. \u00a0Keller’s most recent State Championship was in 2022. They placed a pair of players
\namong the League\u2019s top leaders in total points.<\/span><\/p>\n

How They Did: <\/span><\/strong>Keller would struggle with offence this week with none of their top scorers able to find the back
\nof the <\/span>net. They record three round-robin losses to the Pinnacle Pioneers (AZ), the Sioux City Metros (IA) and the
\nSt. Joseph <\/span>Huskies (TX).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Round Robin Game Two
\n<\/strong>Thursday, March 27th<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a05-Sioux City (IA) Metros vs. Keller ISD (TX)-0
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span>It\u2019s another five goal win for the Metros, as they defeat one of Texas’ top teams in the Metroplex League. The Sioux City
\njumps out to a two goal lead after the first period. Noah Dirkschneider<\/strong> (Doleman, Hedquist) and Tegan Doelman <\/strong>(Hedquist)
\nboth record their first goals of the tournament; Noah’s a game winner and Tegan’s the first of his eventual hat trick.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Noah Dirkschneider\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Tegan Doelman
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\" \"\"
\nThe second period sees Keller apply a bit more pressure and appear to have adjusted to the Metros’ game, however, with
\njust thirty-eight seconds remaining, Tegan Doleman<\/strong> (Dirkschneider, Hedquist) finds the back of the net giving the Metros a
\nthree goal lead and some much needed momentum.
\n<\/span>Karson Fitch\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Tegan Doelman
\n<\/span><\/strong>\"\" \"\"
\nThe third period is all Metros. They launch fifteen shots on goal and two more are successful; Tegan Doelman<\/strong> (Fitch,
\nHedquist) grabs his third of the night and Karson Fitch<\/strong> (Hedquist) seals the deal with just over two minutes remaining.
\n<\/span>Ryan Hedquist\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Cam Patrick
\n<\/strong><\/span>\"\"\u00a0\"\"
\nRyan Hedquist<\/strong> records assists on all five of the Metros goals; He is the only National Tournament player to record five
\nassist in a single game.\u00a0 Cam Patrick<\/strong> is still on fire. He stops all twelve shots, records his second shut-out in as many days
\nand is on track to be one of the tournament\u2019s best goaltenders.<\/span><\/p>\n

National Tournament Player Recap
\n<\/strong><\/span>Brody Herman\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Demetri Tsiobanos
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\" \"\"
\nSenior <\/span>Brody Herman <\/span><\/strong>starts the week with a goal in the opening game of round-robin play against the St. Joseph
\nHuskies. He would also grab a couple of helpers against Pinnacle and Colorado. Just a junior this season, Demetri Tsiobanos
\n<\/strong> sees tons of ice time playing in all five games. Brody and Demetri are both USA Hockey National Championship winners
\nhaving won the tournament last season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Round Robin Game Three
\n<\/strong>Friday, March 28th
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>\"\" 0-Sioux City (IA) Metros vs. Pinnacle (AZ) Pioneers-0 <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span>\"\"
\nPinnacle Pioneers (AZ) <\/strong><\/span>
\nWho They Are:\u00a0<\/strong>Located in the Phoenix, Arizona area, The Pioneers draw players from all over the area\u2019s 1.5 million
\npeople. They are members of the twelve team Arizona High School Hockey League (AHSHL) and field teams in three
\ndifferent varsity level divisions.<\/span><\/p>\n

How They Got There:<\/strong> Pinnacle finishes the regular season in second place with a 15-2-3 record. They win all four
\ntournament games, upsetting the top team in the League and securing their seventh State Title. They boast the
\nLeague\u2019s top goal scorer and place two players among the top seven overall scorers. Both goaltenders are among
\nthe top seven in the League.<\/span><\/p>\n

How They Did: <\/strong>The Pioneers would win the USA Pool with wins over Keller (TX) 3-1, St. Joseph (IN) 3-2\u00a0 and Sioux
\nCity (IA) 3-1. They would advance\u00a0to the quarter-finals against San Diego Central Cathedral (CA). In a match-up that found
\nthe Pioneers the favored team, none of their top scorers could find the net and they would fall to the Jets 4-0.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Round <\/span>Robin Game Three
\n<\/strong>Friday, March 28th<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span>\u00a01-Sioux City (IA) Metros vs. Pinnacle (AZ) Pioneers-3<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Game three pits the pool’s two remaining undefeated teams. Sioux City looks like the favorite on paper, but ya still
\ngotta play the games and the Arizona State Champs were not going down without a fight. Like the last two games,
\nit’s the Metros that strike first on a tally from Hunter Echter <\/strong>(Brody Herman), his second of the tournament. The Metros put
\nten shots on goal and hold the Pioneers to just five during the opening period – Sioux City looks to be in control of this one.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hunter Echter\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Brody Herman
\n<\/span><\/strong>\"\" \"\"
\nDemetri Tsiobanos\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Noah Dirkschneider<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\" \"\"
\nHowever, the Pioneers are able to tie the game up in the second and the final period looks to be a dandy. Unfortunately,
\nit’s not…an Arizona goal, just ten seconds into the period, zaps the Metros. They play the remainder of the game drained.
\nThe offence stalls and they muster only five shots in the third. The defense is lax and gives-up ten shots and two goals;
\nthe latter one an empty netter.
\nJackson Pinney\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Cam Patrick<\/strong><\/span><\/span>\"\"
\nCam Patrick<\/strong> faces twenty-seven shots and stops twenty-five of them. Despite the loss, he still remains one of the top
\ngoaltenders in the tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ryan Hedquist<\/strong> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Karson Fitch\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Tegan Doelman
\n<\/strong><\/span>\"\" \"\" \"\"
\nMetros forwards Karson Fitch<\/strong>, Ryan Hedquist<\/strong> and Tegan Doelman<\/strong> are still among the pool’s top scorers; all three
\nformer USA Hockey National Champions and National Tournament top scorers. The Metros have a dozen National
\nTournament veterans and despite<\/span> this loss, the Metros still enter Double-Header Saturday<\/em> as one of the teams to beat.<\/span><\/p>\n

National Tournament Player Recap
\n<\/strong><\/span>Hunter Echter\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Spencer Elsea
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\" \"\"<\/span><\/strong><\/span>
\nIts a good thing <\/span>Hunter Echter <\/span><\/strong>didn’t miss his flight to California, he records several key goals throughout the
\nNational Tournament, including a game tying hat trick against Colorado and the Metros only ally in the semi-finals
\nagainst the eventual National Champions from South Dakota. Senior Spencer Elsa<\/strong> sees time in all fine of the Metros
\ngames this National Championship week.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

USA Hockey National Tournament Quarter-Finals Game 4<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Saturday, March 29th<\/span>
\n<\/strong>\"\"Sioux City (IA) Metros vs. Valor Christian <\/span>Screaming Eagles (CO)<\/span>\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Valor Christian High School Screaming Eagles (CO)
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>Who They Are:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Located in Highlands Ranch, this one of the southernmost suburbs of Denver. Recording a local population
\nof 100,000 it also draws in players form the Denver metro area as well. They are members of the sixteen team Colorado State
\n5A High School Hockey League. Their most recent State Championship win was in 2023; they also won in 2020 and 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n

How They Got There: <\/strong>Valor High School finishes the regular season with a 15-7-0 record. They would eventually defeat
\nthe state’s top team in the championship game; giving the Eagles their fourth State Title in six years. They boast the League’s
\ntop three scorers and another among the top ten.<\/span><\/p>\n

How They Did:\u00a0<\/strong>Valor would win all three of their pool games against teams from Ohio, California and\u00a0New York. They
\nwould open pool play with a huge 10-3 win over the Canton-Akron, a 5-4 barn-burner against San Diego Central Cathedral
\nand another commanding win over Long Beach 5-0. They enter the first round matched-up with Sioux City, but squander a
\nthree goal lead in the third and eventually get beat in overtime.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Quarter-Finals\u00a0 Game 4
\n<\/strong>March 29th, 2025<\/span>
\n5-Sioux City Metros vs. Valor Christian <\/span>Sreaming Eagles-4 OT
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span>Sioux City starts out Double-Header Saturday<\/em> down-n-out; fresh off a disappointing loss the prior day and now
\nmatched-up against the Olympic Pool’s top undefeated team. The visitors from Colorado strike first and seem to out-pace the
\nMetros. However, Hunter Echter<\/strong> finds the back of the net, on a Brody Herman set-up, and the first period ends in a deadlock.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hunter Echter\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Brody Herman<\/strong><\/span>
\n<\/span>\"\" \"\"
\nIn the second, the Eagles start to pull-away as the Metros seem to run out of gas. This period is all Eagles, they put ten shots
\non net and foil the net minder twice. Sioux City launches nine unsuccessful shots, on a seemingly unbeatable goaltender.<\/span><\/p>\n

The third period start isn’t much better as the Metros surrender another goal and it looks like the end of the line for the green
\nshirts. However, instead of protecting their 4-1 lead, the Eagles mistakenly send the game in a physical direction and take
\nthree consecutive unnecessary penalties. The Metros are able to capitalize on all three, recording power play goals from
\nTegan Doelman<\/strong> and two more from Hunter Echter,<\/strong> stunning the Eagles and sending the game into overtime.<\/span><\/p>\n

Karson Fitch\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Ryan Hedquist\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Noah Dirkschneider
\n<\/strong><\/span>\"\"\u00a0\"\" \"\"
\nKarson Fitch<\/strong>, Ryan Hedquist<\/strong> and Noah Dirkschneider<\/strong> all record assists on the third period’s four straight power
\nplay goals. Karson<\/strong> grabs an assist on Tegan Dolman’s first goal that give the Metros new life. Ryan<\/strong> records\u00a0assists on both
\nof Hunter Echter’s second and third goals as the Metros come from behind to tie the game. Noah<\/strong> also adds helpers to
\nDolman\u2019s first & Echter\u2019s third goal, as well as the game winning assist on the Doleman overtime game-winner<\/span><\/p>\n

Tegan Doelman\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Cam Patrick
\n<\/strong><\/span>\"\" \"\"
\nNewly invigorated with this last period’s comeback, the Metros are a new team and the Eagles aren\u2019t…they take another<\/strong><\/em>
\n<\/span>penalty halfway into the overtime and the Metros make them pay. Tegan Doelman<\/strong> grabs his second goal of
\nthe day, giving the Metros an unbelievable, come-from-behind overtime win, sending them to the semi-finals. Cam
\nPatrick <\/strong>stops thirty-one shots on goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

National Tournament Player Recap
\n<\/strong><\/span>Noah Dirkschneider\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Kaden Netely
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\" \"\"
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>Returning National Champion Noah Dirkschneider<\/strong> looks for the chance to defend the Metros previous season’s championship.
\nThe senior records five points; recording including a goal and an assist against Keller and three assists in the Colorado game,
\nincluding helpers on both the game tying and game winning goals. Dirks also lead the team with fourteen penalty minutes. This
\nis sophomore Kaden Netley<\/strong> first full varsity season with the Metros and like his regular and post season, he played a full schedule
\nduring the National Tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n

National Tournament Player Recap
\n<\/strong><\/span>Noah Graham\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/span>Braden Ownby
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\" <\/span><\/strong><\/span>\"\"
\nSeniors Noah Graham<\/strong> and Brayden Ownby<\/strong> are National Tournament veteans having been apart of the previous year’s
\nChampionship team. Noah and Brayden had busy weekends; both players played in all five of this week’s games.<\/span><\/p>\n

USA Hockey National Tournament Semi-Finals Game 5<\/span>
\n<\/strong>Saturday, March 29th<\/span>
\n<\/strong>\"\"Sioux City (IA) Metros vs. Rushmore Thunder<\/span> (SD)\"\"
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span>Rushmore Thunder
\n<\/strong>Who They Are:\u00a0<\/strong>Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, this team draws players from the surrounding area with an<\/span>
\napproximate population of 145,000 residence. They are members of the twelve team South Dakota High<\/span>
\nSchool Hockey League.<\/span><\/p>\n

How They Got There:<\/strong> The Thunder dominated the South Dakota State Hockey League this season. They would finish
\nthe season with an undefeated record of 22-0-0. They would record a League high of 235 goals scored and surrender just
\ntwenty-six all season. They place six players, including the League’s top scorer, among the top fifteen players in South
\nDakota. They would easily capture this year’s State Championship, defeating the Sioux Falls West Flyers and
\nadvancing to the USA Hockey National Championships.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How They Did: <\/span><\/strong>Rushmore would eventually win their first ever USA Hockey National Championship, defeating the
\nWarriors Hockey Club (IL). They would win two pool games against Erie Cathedral (PA) 5-2 & McKinney (TX) 6-1 and
\ndrop a close one to the Omaha Junior Lancers (NE) 3-4. After that they are perfect; limiting their next three opponents
\nto just three total goals; they defeat The Colorado Bruins (CO) 4-0, Sioux City Metros (IA) 3-1 and the Warriors
\nHockey Club (IL) 6-2.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Semi-Finals\u00a0 Game 5
\n<\/strong>March 29th, 2025<\/span>
\n1-Sioux City Metros vs. Rushmore Thunder (SD)<\/span>-3 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Game two finds the Metros paired up with one if the tournament\u2019s highest scoring teams. While the Thunder did lose a
\npool-play game, prior to that they had won twenty-six games in a row, along the way recording over 262 red-lighters.
\nThis game look to be a battle between two of the week\u2019s favored high school teams.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Thunder strike first with the only goal of the period. They pepper the Sioux City net with eighteen shots, while the
\nMetros can only muster six. The team seems to be running out of gas.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Hunter Echter\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Hunter Echter, Tegan Doelman, Ryan Hedquist,<\/strong>
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Noah Dirkschneider & Karson Fitch
\n<\/strong><\/span>\"\"\u00a0\"\"
\nAnother Thunder goal in the second, pushes the needle closer to empty.\u00a0\u00a0However, a mid-period goal by <\/span>Hunter Echter,
\n<\/strong>from Tegan Doelman and Noah Dirkschneider, <\/span>gives the Metros a small boost, but it’s short-lived. The Thunder puts
\neleven <\/span>more shots on net and looks to be in firm control as the second period ends.
\nBlake Dunagan\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Tegan Doelman
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>\"\" \"\"
\nFor all the bad stuff going the Metros way…they still start the third period needing just a single goal to tie the game and grab
\nthe momentum. This final period sees the Thunder adopt a defensive posture, opening the door for the Metros usually high-
\nscoring offence to shine.
\n<\/span>Noah Dirkschneider\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Karson Fitch
\n<\/span><\/strong>\"\" \"\"
\nMost of the game is back and forth with both teams missing ample chances to light the lamp. As time ticks down, Sioux City
\nmounts several offensive rushes and even with the extra attacker they are unsuccessful. Eventually, the Thunder wrestle the
\npuck away and send it into an empty net, with just five second remaining. Cam Patrick<\/strong> stops thirty-six total shots.
\nCam Patrick
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/span>\"\"<\/p>\n

USA Hockey National Championship notes…<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

…During the regular season the Metros averaged well over six goals a game, they shut out their opponents eleven times and only
\nlost five games. This was just not the Metros week.<\/span><\/p>\n

…fresh off a game three loss and a game four come-from-behind and eventual overtime win, seemed the drain the Metros. With a
\nsecond do-or-die game just hours away both the physical and mental recovery time just wasn\u2019t there.<\/span><\/p>\n

…Sophomore defenseman JJ Hope<\/strong> was scheduled to play in the National Tournament, but a late season injury would keep him
\noff the final roster. <\/span>Freshman Cooper Bunce<\/strong> serves as the back-up goaltender this week. Coop split time as varsity back-up
\nand won eight JV games including three shut-outs<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\" \"\" \"\" <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Home of the Two-Time USA Hockey National Champions \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0USA Hockey 2025 High School Hockey National Championships Irvine, CA \/ March 26th-30th, 2025 A collection of Championship teams from all over the country, converge in Irvine to compete in the High School National Championships. The tournament is split between the Great Park and the… Continue reading Metros 2 2024-25 USA Hockey National Championship Tournament<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10588","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebatchellerpad.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebatchellerpad.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebatchellerpad.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebatchellerpad.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebatchellerpad.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10588"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebatchellerpad.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10588\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebatchellerpad.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}