MLA Boys Win Conference For 1st Time In School History

Click Here For Two Rivers Conference Team Listing

Feb 13

Wes Vork-NSO

For the first time in school history, the Moose Lake Area boys hockey team captured a conference championship. The Rebels beat Meadow Creek Christian 7-5 Friday afternoon at the Schwann’s Super Rink in Blaine, clinching the Two Rivers Conference championship.

MLA, with an overall record of 17-7-0, clinched the conference championship by going 12-2 in conference play. The Two Rivers Conference is in its first year of existence and made up of teams located along I-35 from Minneapolis to Moose Lake. The name Two Rivers was chosen because the teams are located on either the St. Croix or Mississippi Rivers.

MLA head coach Sherm Liimitainen is
now in his fifth season. He took over a program that had seen its share of lean times and progressively turned the program around.
Liimitainen
was noticeably pleased with the accomplishment, but was quick to point out others deserve the credit. In an exclusive interview telling NSO, “I am very happy for the program and the people who built the program at the youth level.” Liimitainen said building the program to the point of conference champs wasn’t a one year thing, but rather a multi-year effort by the players. “This group of young athletes believed that hard work and perseverance would bring rewards in the end and I am very happy for them.”

Liimitainen stated that the value of senior captain Michael Unzen’s leadership to this year’s team was immeasurable. Unzen, a two year captain, was a bit reluctant to take credit. “It does add a little pressure, but I enjoy the younger kids looking to me for guidance.
It has to be done by someone and I am glad it’s put on me.” Unzen also remembers the lean years of the program saying, “I have been playing in the program since I was 5yrs old, and my high school years have been pretty good. But I remember going to games when I was a kid and the team not being as competitive.”

Unzen was also quick to point out that the hard work of his teammates and those before him is what made the turnaround possible. Junior goalie Austin Lanoue agreed, commenting to NSO, “Toward the end of the football season, Coach Louzek told us to take the work ethic and success that has created success in football and carry it over to our winter sports, which is what a lot of the guys have done.” Lanoue believes better things are still to come for the hockey program, pointing out that this is just the first step for the Rebels. “Hopefully we can take off from here. This is just the start of where we want the program to be, I’m proud this team is the one to start it.”

While Liimitainen is quick to pass credit for the team’s success to assistant coaches, players, and others associated with the program, others have certainly taken notice. On the same night the Rebels clinched the conference championship, Liimitainen was presented the 3M Excellence In Coaching Award by the Minnesota Wild for Section 5A and 5AA.

This award recognizes coaches that have the following characteristics: display good sportsmanship towards team, parents and officials, display positive youth sports experience and teaching methods through the game of hockey, display respect for players, parents and officials in all situations, teach positive life skills allowing kids to benefit from team experience

and dedicate time both on and off the ice to support community initiatives.

Liimitainen was presented the award on ice in a pre-game ceremony before the Wild’s game against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday evening. In a show of appreciation and unbeknownst to Liimitainen, the Rebels team traveled to the Excel Energy Center and formed a congratulation line for their coach to walk through as he went on the ice to receive his award. This showing of support by the entire team was a first according to Wild personnel.

By winning the section Excellence In Coaching Award, Liimitainen is in the running for the Charlie Stryker Coach of the Year Award. This award will be presented to one boy’s coach and one girl’s coach at the Minnesota Wild game on March 30, 2008.

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com