The playoff games allow high school hockey playoffs teams around the state take to the ice for one last time to play the game they love in front of family and friends. The arena was a quarter full with plenty of great seats open as the puck dropped. The starting players were announced with modest amount of cheering from the fans. The most cheering for each player coming from the proud parents of those players. The parents were heard clearly as they encouraged their kids, calling “little Johnny” by first name.

This was a playoff game that no one will talk about outside these two middling Class A towns when the season is over. Austin and LaCrescent had no chance of a state tournament this year. The winner will play Northfield in the quarterfinals and lose by five or more, ending their season in a moment. When I attend the state tournament in the beginning of march there will be no discussion regarding this game. At the section final the teams playing will not be discussing the prospect of matching up with LaCrescent and Austin next year. No discussion of top state players or top skill players in the game. There were no scouts and one news person with a camera and a notebook was there to record the event.

The puck was dropped with excitement that is always present at any playoff game. Neither team dominated at any aspect of the game, but took turns getting some great chances. Austin worked as a team and made some solid passes into LaCrescent’s zone. Their best chances came when they chipped the puck at the net and worked for rebounds that were there with almost every shot. The LaCrescent goalie left rebounds tantalizingly close to Austin players after shots the whole game. LaCrescent made attempts at the pass out of their own zone to their big scorers that almost worked, but an Austin player would get a stick on it just before the LaCrescent player could get to it and build up speed. The period ended 1-1. LaCrescent scored on an impressive three pass play with the last player finally burying the puck in a half empty net. Austin scored with hard work and a rebound.

The second period was more of the same by Austin. Work hard as a team and continue to chip that puck at the net and get to rebounds. There were chances but no goals for Austin. LaCrescent started to hit on the breakout passes to players heading out of the zone and let the skill and speed take over. It worked numerous times in the second and led to a goal for LaCrescent. The period ended 2-1 LaCrescent.

The third period had all sorts of effort by Austin, but no goals again. Even with the game 2-1 in the third a fan could hear the parents encouraging their player to “get your nose dirty,” “get off the wall and go to the net,” and “come on this is playoff hockey time.” During timeouts it was quiet enough to hear the coach plan and challenge players. The game ended with LaCrescent playing solid defense and clearing the zone quickly. Austin players were putting out 110 percent but they had no finishers this night.

The game ended with the arena quiet again. No band playing since they left at the start of the second period. The fans reliving key moments in the game. Players slowly leaving the ice for maybe the last time. The winner heading to play Northfield in a No. 1 vs. No. 9 matchup. This was small town hockey on the small stage, but for these players who know in their heart of hearts they weren’t going to state or even the section final, this was their “state championship.” The players celebrated with no thought of their upcoming game or prognosis. This is high school playoff hockey. And this is why I go and watch the story unfold on cold winter nights in towns like Austin.

Michael Waksdahl,

Grand Meadow