SLP's Season Over After Loss to Blake in Section Playoffs

Standing outside his team's locker room at the Parade Ice Garden on Thursday night, St. Louis Park boys hockey head coach Shjon Podein didn't jump on the negatives following a season-ending, 6-2 loss to Blake in the Section 2A quarterfinals.

Instead, the first year head coach reflected on how proud he was of these Orioles.

"It was just a treat to coach young men like this, who want to learn, who want to get better," he said. "I think it was a very positive experience overall for the season."

Coming off of a two-win season, the 2011-12 Orioles went 18-6-3 and netted a . For the first time in a while, there is some excitement about where the program is headed.

"They gave more this year than they’ve probably given in a while. No one wants to see that come to an end. I feel for them, because I remember being in that seat 25 years ago," Podein said. "When they look at the big picture, they’ll be more than pleased at themselves and what they did."

Early in Thursday's matchup with Blake, it looked like the dream season might continue. Despite being outshot in the first period 20-7, the Orioles ended the frame up 1-0 as senior captain Tyler Brodersen netted a breakaway goal.

However, it all came crashing down in the second. Blake continued to outshoot Park, and eventually all those extra shots started to find the net. Blake scored four times on 18 shots in the period, giving the Bears a 4-1 lead with 17 minutes left.

Brodersen opened the third with a power-play goal, giving a sizable Park cheering section reason to get loud. But Blake quieted them down with two more goals, pushing the final margin to 6-2. The Bears outshot the Orioles 47-17.

"We knew against a team like Blake we had to play sound defense. We got out of the first with a lead, but they kept coming and coming," Podein said. "They’re a very good, solid hockey program."

Though Park will lose seven seniors, the team as a whole has a lot of young talent, notably eighth-grader Alec Baer and freshman Josh Passolt. That's one of the reasons Podein can be positive even with this season now over.

"You only hope every year they take another step up," Podein said. "If we can do that, I think the program itself is in pretty good shape in the near future."