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Breck Boys Hockey Riding Strong into Christmas Break

No. 1-ranked Mustangs hockey club off to 7-0 start as they shoot for a state championship

boys hockey coach Les Larson has the Mustangs on a fast winning track this season.

"We're going in with high expectations this season," Larson said.

The top-ranked team in Minnesota Class A hockey has stormed out the gate with a 7-0 start going into Christmas break. Those victories have already come against other top-10 teams such as Duluth Marshall, Saint Cloud Cathedral and Mahtomedi.

A senior-laden Mustangs team has their sights set on playing at the Xcel Energy Center for a state championship in March. During the past three years, the Mustangs have won two state titles (2009 and 2010) and a consolation title (2011).

"We need them to play together and buy into our system," Larson said.
His team has 21 players, and see ice time on a regular basis. With loads of talent, Larson sees the importance of his players winning with class and working together.

"We want them to follow the Golden Rule," Larson said about his team's sportsmanship.

Former Mustangs players also provide mentorship for the current players. Some of these players have gone on to play Division I hockey or higher.

"A lot of former players come back and skate with the current team," Larson said. "It's fun to see them with the younger guys working together in practice."

This year's Mustangs club has piled on plenty of offense in their first seven games. Grant Opperman leads the team with 20 points, and senior captain Conor Andrle recently posted a 6-point game against Holy Angels. 

Wes Iverson and Austin Rudnick also serve as senior captains for the Mustangs.

Goalie Jack Kenney as been tough in net for the Mustangs with a .903 save percentage. Only two teams have score more than a pair of goals in a game against the Mustangs this season.

The Mustangs return to action on Monday when they play in the Schwan's Cup Tournament in Blaine. They will open the tournament with Apple Valley (3-3-1).

TEAMS TO WATCH

Blake – The Bears lost a lot of offensive fire power from last season, but they also return some young talent.
KEY RETURNERS
Conor Andrle  (Breck) – The Mustangs forward can find his teammates on the ice for goals effectively. 
Zach Doerring (Blake)  – The Bears senior forward returns after collecting the fifth-highest point total on the team last year.
Spencer Naas (Blake)  – The Bears sophomore forward was fourth in points for the team last season and he has provided a big scoring spark early in the new season.
KEY LOSSES
George Ordway (Blake) – The former Bears star led the team in goals and assists last year.
Donald Chute (Blake) – He had the second-highest point total for the Bears last year and he can both distribute the puck and put it in the net effectively.
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Grant Opperman (Breck) – He already has 20 points for the Mustangs in seven games.

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