Moorhead Hockey on a Roll: 17-1, Ranked No. 1 in Class AA

MOORHEAD BOY'S HOCKEY IS LOOKING LIKE THE TEAM TO BEAT IN MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY.

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) –It’s been a special season so far for the Moorhead Spuds boy’s hockey team. After dropping the opening game of the season in November, the Spuds have yet to lose another — 17 straight times the Spuds have dropped the puck, they’ve left the ice victorious.

On Saturday, January 18, the Spuds had a rematch with the Wayzata Trojans, the team who gave them their first and only loss nearly two months ago. The Spuds scored first in the opening minutes and never looked back finding the back of the net six times and winning 6-3.

When KVRR Sports caught up with the team earlier this season, they shared a clear message: After missing the Section 8AA title game a season ago, they came into this season with a chip on their shoulder.

“Older guys, especially that played last year, they really, put a chip on our shoulder,” said senior forward Carver Hasbargen. “Playing harder this season, you know, not making it to the X, I think that’s really made us work harder over the offseason and come back to the season a little harder.”

Senior forward Mason Kraft shares the same sentiment.

“I think last year was definitely disappointing, being the first Moorhead team not to go to the section final in 20 plus years,” said Kraft. “So, I used that a little bit as motivation. You know, I think we’re just going to play our game. I think we’re a really skilled offensive team who’s going to wear teams down. So yeah, I think that’s what we’re going to do.”

And that is exactly what the team has done. The Spuds score over five goals per game and they are doing it as a group. Mason Kraft, who is a Minnesota State-Mankato commit, sits second in the state in points with 53, but his teammate, sophomore Zac Zimmerman is not far behind with 46. In total, Moorhead has over five players with 20+ points on the season and five with 10+ goals. Something head coach Jon Ammerman, who is in his 12th year at the helm of the program, told us earlier this year would be the difference between this team and years past.

“We have scoring depth, which is something that it’s been a couple of years since we have had,” said Ammerman. “So, that’s really exciting where it’s not going to be one or two guys. It’s going to be a scoring by committee. And on top of that, like I mentioned, just the experience factor. Varsity hockey is a big step and a big jump for players from whether it’s Bantams or JV hockey. So, to have that year of experience and with the schedule we have to be battle tested, it’s a group that has big dreams and goals. Hopefully the skill level that can help achieve that.”

“That” would be a state championship. Something the Spuds are still trying to achieve in their long history of excellence. A history of Eight 2nd place finishes at the State Tournament since the 1990’s. The Spuds team and fans hope that this is their year. Sitting at 17-1 on the season and ranked number 1 in the state of Minnesota, it is shaping out to be a great opportunity for it…but still a long way to go.

The Spuds hit the ice twice this upcoming week (1/19-25):

They will battle Roseau Tuesday night, January 21, in a rivalry game. The Rams sit at 9-9-1 on the year.

Then the Spuds will travel to St. Cloud Thursday, January 23. St. Cloud sits at 5-10-1 on the year.

The Spuds have seven games remaining in the regular season before sections begin in late February.