While girls hockey takes center stage in downtown St. Paul this week, it's the boys turn to begin the road to the X. Here's a preview of the eight Class AA sections.
In Section 1, the Lakeville North Panthers have the number one seed but look out for the Rochester Century Panthers who have a 7-0 record against section opponents and hope to head up Highway 52 to St. Paul for the first time since 2009. Also in the mix are the third seeded Lakeville South Cougars and the fourth seeded Owatonna Huskies.
A couple of hot teams are the top two seeds in Section 2. They are the top seeded Minnetonka Skippers and the second seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire. Both are riding seven game winning streaks headed into section play. Holy Family has also won 11 of their last 12 games. Could the Skippers return to state after an eight year absence or will the Victoria based Fire remain on fire and clinch their first state tournament berth.
Over in Section 3, the top seeded St. Thomas Academy Cadets look toward returning to the X. But there are a couple of South Suburban Conference teams that could ended the Cadets reign. They are the second seeded Eastview Lightning and the third seeded Rosemount Irish. St. Thomas Academy beat Eastview 5-1 on November 29. Is a rematch possible?
To Section 4 where the top seeded White Bear Lake Bears have won eight straight games. Hill-Murray, enduring their first losing season since 2001 is the number two seed and hopes to return to state. Also in contention is the third seeded Stillwater Ponies and the fourth seeded Tartan Titans. It has the makings of an interesting section.
What an outstanding season for hockey fans in Circle Pines, Centerville, Lexington and Lino Lakes. First the Centennial girls team clinches their first state tournament berth since 2008 and now the boys have the number one seed in Section 5. The second seeded Maple Grove Crimson is the only other winning team in the section and it could set up a rematch with the Cougars, who beat the Crimson 5-1.
Now to Section 6 where the top seeded Edina Hornets could be the heavy favorites to send their fans to the Xcel Energy Center's green seats. The Hornets only two losses this season were to the Minnetonka Skippers. Looking to put a sting in the Hornets quest is the second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders, the third seeded Wayzata Trojans and the fourth seeded Benilde-St. Margarets Red Knights. The Red Knights host the fifth seeded St. Louis Park Orioles in the quarterfinals.
In Section 7, it looks like the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks state championship reign is coming to an end because they have won only six games this season and will face the top seeded Duluth East Greyhounds in the quarterfinals. The Greyhounds will have to get past the second seeded Andover Huskies, the third seeded Elk River/Zimmerman Elks and the fourth seeded Cloquest-Esko-Carlton Lumberjacks. Who will come out of this section? Head up to Amsoil Arena in Duluth to see exciting hockey among the northern schools.
The Section 8 pairings have not yet been posted but the Moorhead Spuds have won eight of their last nine games and could bee a candidate for the section's top seed. But before Spuds fans can make their St. Paul hotel reservations, they have to contend with a red host St. Michael-Albertville Knights who have not lost a game since losing 3-1 to the Roseau Rams on January 26. They were also shut out by the Spuds 5-0 on January 5. The Brainerd Warriors, St. Cloud and the Roseau Rams could play the role of spoiler.
Next up, the eight Class A sections.
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