David La Vaque

Saint Paul

Sports Reporter at The Minnesota Star Tribune

Host at Talking Preps

Star Tribune preps reporter. Co-author of Tourney Time book.

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Articles

Prep Athletes of the Week: St. Paul Harding’s Ai’Jhon Douglas helps Knights' basketball reach state tournament

1 month ago | startribune.com | David La Vaque

Prep Athletes of the Week: St. Paul Harding’s Ai’Jhon Douglas helps Knights' basketball reach state tournament Also, Hopkins sophomore Erma Walker plays part in girls basketball state history. Clockwise: Ai’Jhon Douglas, St. Paul Harding; Erma Walker, Hopkins; Reign Battle, Moorhead; Griffin EpemaMontevideo (Provided/Provided by school)St. Paul Harding• basketballDouglas got over his “hatred” of the hardwood and added hoops to his football career as a freshman.
Mike Randolph resigns as coach of Northern Lakes boys hockey program

2 months ago | startribune.com | David La Vaque

Mike Randolph resigns as coach of Northern Lakes boys hockey program Randolph, who owns the most career victories as a Minnesota high school boys hockey coach with 727, led team to Class 1A state quarterfinals this season. Northern Lakes head coach Mike Randolph gestures to fans as he’s recognized in a post-game ceremony Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 at the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud, Minn.
Moorhead’s Mason Kraft, White Bear Lake’s Leo Gabriel win Mr. Hockey, Frank Brimsek awards

2 months ago | startribune.com | David La Vaque

Moorhead’s Mason Kraft, White Bear Lake’s Leo Gabriel win Mr. Hockey, Frank Brimsek awardsGiven to Minnesota’s top seniors, Kraft led Moorhead to the Class 2A state championship while Gabriel recorded a state record-tying 18th career shutout. Moorhead forward Mason Kraft (19) skates away after he scores his fourth point on Stillwater goaltender Cal Conway (1) in the first period of Saturday's Class 2A boys hockey state championship game at the Xcel Energy Center.
Moorhead wins its first boys hockey state championship, outracing Stillwater

2 months ago | startribune.com | David La Vaque

Moorhead wins its first boys hockey state championship, outracing StillwaterThe Spuds' Mason Kraft equaled John Mayasich with four first-period goals, but the Ponies made it close by the end. Moorhead forward Mason Kraft scores his fourth goal of the first period on Stillwater goaltender Cal Conway.
Moorhead finally gets its first title

2 months ago | legacy.hockey | Loren Nelson |David La Vaque

ST. PAUL - Mason Kraft scored four goals to lead top-seeded Moorhead to a 7-6 win over No. 2 Stillwater in the state Class 2A championship game Saturday night at the Xcel Energy Center. The title is the first for the Spuds, who had previously lost all eight of their state championship game appearances. Moorhead came out flying, scoring three times in the opening 2:24 and building a 5-1 first-period lead.
East Grand Forks wins Class 1A title in overtime

2 months ago | legacy.hockey | Loren Nelson |David La Vaque

ST. PAUL - Jace Van Eps scored the game-winning goal in overtime as No. 4 seed East Grand Forks upset second-seeded St. Cloud Cathedral 2-1 in the Class 1A state championship game Saturday afternoon at Xcel Energy Center. The championship is the third in the history of the Green Wave and first since winning back-to-back titles in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The loss denied St. Cloud Cathedral, the 2004 champion, in its bid for consecutive titles. The winning goal came from a tight angle.
Moorhead outlasts Edina to reach title game

2 months ago | legacy.hockey | Loren Nelson |David La Vaque

ST. PAUL - Zac Zimmerman's power-play goal with 58 seconds left in the third period clinched a 4-3 win for top-seeded Moorhead over No. 5 Edina Friday night in a Class 2A semifinal at Xcel Energy Center. Zimmerman found himself with time, space and a loose puck at the doorstep, and, after two swipes at the puck, managed to fire it home, sending the Spuds to their ninth all-time state title game. The teams traded blows early before the game settled in.
Stillwater rides goaltender to another victory

2 months ago | legacy.hockey | Loren Nelson |David La Vaque

ST. PAUL - Cal Conway made 36 saves for his second shutout in as many games as No. 2 seed Stillwater beat No. 3 seed St. Thomas Academy 4-0 on Friday in a state Class 2A tournament semifinal at the Xcel Energy Center. Conway, a transfer from Andover before the season, opened the tournament Thursday with a 5-0 shutout of his former team. Forced to sit out a large portion of the season because of eligibility issues, Conway is 9-0-0.
East Grand Forks completes stunning rally

2 months ago | legacy.hockey | Loren Nelson |David La Vaque

ST. PAUL — Cole Bies scored twice in the opening minute of the third period as No. 4 seed East Grand Forks rallied to knock off No. 1 seed Hibbing/Chisholm 7-5 on Friday in a state Class 1A semifinal at the Xcel Energy Center. East Grand Forks (15-13-2) trailed 3-1 after the first period and 5-2 midway through the second. The Green Wave scored the final five goals, two in the second and three more in the third. Hunter Varson started the comeback by scoring with 1:54 left in the second.
St. Cloud Cathedral cruises to title game

2 months ago | legacy.hockey | Loren Nelson |David La Vaque

ST. PAUL - Senior forward Jaeger Wood, red-hot in the playoffs, had two goals and an assist as defending state Class 1A champion St. Cloud Cathedral, the No. 2 seed, reached a second straight title game on Friday with a 4-1 win over No. 6 seed Orono in a state semifinal at the Xcel Energy Center. Wood scored midway through the second period to put the Crusaders (20-8-2) ahead 2-0 and assisted on freshman forward Bo Schmidt’s goal that made it 3-0 midway through the second.