Duluth East Bantam A’s to host Minnetonka; Trapp, Marinac first year D

November 6, 2009 by Howie · 1 Comment

Hockey fans can watch two of Minnesota’s best Bantam A teams compete at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center at 2 p.m. Saturday, when Duluth East plays host to Minnetonka. Both teams are expected to be ranked in the top five in the state when the first Let’s Play Hockey rankings are released later today.

“Minnetonka is one of the teams we’ll have to beat if we’re successful this year,” Duluth East co-coach Steve Pitoscia said before practice Thursday. “It will be a good test for us, against a solid team with size, depth and a top goalie.”

The ‘Tonka game will be another major test for first-year defensemen Alex Trapp and Joe Marinac (above), who continue to grow whiskers following strong seasons as a year ago with the Duluth East Pee Wee A team. The eighth-graders skated regular shifts as Duluth East (5-3) went 3-1 against Bantam A powerhouses Shattuck, Wayzata and Rochester last weekend.

“The adjustment to bantams from pee wee has actually been a little easier than from squirts to pee wee,” said Trapp, who attends Holy Rosary. “Of course, the speed is quicker and the physical play is more challenging, but I’m adjusting nicely. I’m not really nervous about much.”

Marinac said he’s still adjusting to the faster pace at the bantam level.

“It’s been a big jump, to be honest,” the Woodland Junior High star athlete said after practice Thursday. “But give the coaches credit: they’re working us hard and preparing us well for the tough competition.”

Pitoscia said he is proud of his young defensemen, for how quickly and courageously they have stepped up to compete at the bantam level.

“Trapp is a fundamentally solid defenseman, and like all the first-yer players is learning how to deal with the speed and physical part of the game,” said Pitoscia. “He’s very good with his stick and is a smart kid. He’s charismatic, a great guy to have in the locker room.”

Marinac, Pitoscia said, has a great motor.

“He’s a young ‘96 and taking on a lot of stuff, but he has a tremendous work ethic,” Pitoscia said of Marinac. “Sometimes I have to remind myself to be patient with him, since he was a forward prior to last season.”

‘Hounds Notes
Duluth East results last weekend (all road games):

. Defeated Shattuck 4-3 in OT. The ‘Hounds trailed 3-0, but forward Ryan Lundgren had a pure hat trick to force overtime. Veteran forward Meirs Moore scored the game-winner. “Meir’s goal was the prettiest bantam goal I’ve seen,” said Pitoscia, a veteran coach. “He picked the puck at our blueline, dangled two defenders in the neutral zone, split the two defensemen and scored top-shelf over the goalie’s shoulder on the far side.”

. Defeated Rochester 5-0. “Caden Flaherty had the shutout in a good team effort,” Pitoscia said.

. Defeated Wayzata 4-1. “We play hungry, physical and went to the net, in another solid team effort,” said Pitoscia.

. Lost to Shattuck 6-0. “Not surprising, since Shattuck is as good as any bantam team in the nation,” said Pitoscia. “They defeated Wayzata 11-1 and Edina 9-4. Their top player has something like 52 points in 12 games.”

– Photo: Trapp (left) and Marinac. Staff photo.

Comments

One Response to “Duluth East Bantam A’s to host Minnetonka; Trapp, Marinac first year D”

Greg Toscano says:

November 12, 2009 at 8:21 am

Howie,

It wasn’t shattuck that was defeated in overtime but Edina. Thanks for your coverage of this Bantam A team.

HowieBlog.com

Duluth East Bantam A’s to host Minnetonka; Trapp, Marinac first year D

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