The Little Falls junior is the top point getter in the state according to the Minnesota Boys Hockey Hub with 49. He proved why in the Little Falls Tournament last week when he tallied five goals and 13 assists in three Flyers wins.
“I think we were playing as a team completely,” Filippi said. “We were just doing as coach said and I think we played well defensively, too. I think all that combined we played pretty well.”
For the season, Filippi has 24 goals, which leads the team, and 25 assists, which is one off his linemate Hayden Johnson who has 26.
The tournament started with Little Falls’ 12-2 win over Northern Lakes Dec. 28. Filippi chipped in three goals and four assists which featured two state participants from last season.
“He kind of flipped the script a little bit,” Little Falls head coach Joey Hanowski said. “He’s been a unique goal scorer for us all year and he’s done a good job now moving the puck with his linemates and he’s a heck of a player.”
The next night Filippi dished out four assists and scored one goal in the Flyers’ 8-2 win over Wadena-Deer Creek.
“I think it comes with maturity,” Hanowski said of Fillipi’s high-assist numbers. “It’s his fourth year at the varsity level and he’s gotten better and better and I think the game slows down for guys like that as they get older. He’s done a nice job for us so far.”
To close out the tournament against Windom, Filippi scored one goal and tallied three assists in an 8-0 blowout win.
“I just go out there and play the best we can and if it happens to be me scoring the goals or Hayden and Carter (Oothoudt) we are just happy pucks are getting in the net,” Filippi said.
Hanowski said Filippi is a strong player who uses his body well. That helps the junior score goals.
“He’s got a heck of a shot and he’s not afraid to pull the trigger,” Hanowski said. “I will say, he’s gotten more assists lately, but he has a heck of a shot and takes advantage of his opportunities.”
The Flyers have won 13 straight games to start the 2021-22 season with hopes to get back to state for the second year in a row. Little Falls advanced to the state semifinals last season.
The experience of playing and winning at state gave the Flyers confidence this season.
“I think sitting in that locker room after we lost in state at the X(cel Energy Center) there, I think it’s driven us to get back there,” Filippi said. “To win games at the X is special, too. I think we just need to play our style of hockey. What we call ‘fire hockey’ and we’ll get there.”
Filippi credited his first-line teammates Johnson and Oothoudt. All three are the top point-getters for the Flyers — each with 30 or more points.
“I think we are all good buddies and I think that helps a lot,” Filippi said. “We have that good chemistry.”
Hanowski added: “Those guys are reasons for why he’s having success. Hayden and Matt have always played well together and then Carter has done a good job of helping on that first line. We will have to lean on them a lot moving forward.”
Last season, Filippi led the Flyers in goals with 19 and finished with nine assists for 28 points.
“I feel more confident on the ice,” Filippi said. “And that comes with experience and being able to slow the play down. Each game I try to not overthink and just have fun. If you’re having fun, the goals and assists will come.”
Other notable performances:
Basketball: Isaiah Schultz, Staples-Motley, scored 28 points against Hill City.
Brandon Greenwaldt, Verndale, scored 22 points against Parkers Prairie.
Jordan Oehrlein, Crosby-Ironton, scored 21 points and grabbed 22 rebounds against Breck.
Josh Schimpp, Staples-Motley, scored 22 points against Warren-Alvarado-Oslo.
Noah Oberfield, Pierz, scored 22 points against Greenway.
Carsen Turk, Crosby-Ironton, scored 26 points against Fond du Lac.
Eli Laposky, Pequot Lakes, scored 26 points against Virginia.
Hockey: Carter Oothoudt, Little Falls, scored five goals and tallied five assists in the Little Falls Tournament.
Year: Junior
School: Little Falls
Sport: Hockey
Highlights: He scored five goals and tallied 13 assists in the Little Falls Tournament.
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