Eight Class A sections have been examined so now its the eight Class AA sections to be previewed.
First up is Section 1, where the top seeded Hastings Raiders have a chance to head down Highway 61 for the first time in 18 years to St. Paul. But hoping to keep the blue and gold clad Hastings fans on the banks of the Mississippi River is the second seeded Lakeville North Panthers and the third seed team that also is nicknamed the Panthers, Rochester Century. It's been 10 years since Century has been to the state tournament and they finished the regular season on a seven game winning streak. Can they win the "Battle of the Panthers" against their Lakeville counterparts.
Over in Section 2, the top seeded and defending Class AA champion Minnetonka Skippers are the top seed. The Skippers were the top ranked team for most of the regular season until they lost to the Edina Hornets before a packed Pagel Center crowd. But look who's on a roll and three games away from their first trip to state, the second seeded Chaska Hawks. The Hawks have won eight straight games and hope to extend their streak to double figures. Not so fast, Chaska fans. There are three other teams that can be spoilers for Minnetonka and Chaska. They are the third seeded Eden Prairie Eagles, the fourth seeded Prior Lake Lakers and the fifth seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire. Who will be on fire and take home the championship trophy?
Now to Section 3 where the top seeded St. Thomas Academy Cadets look to end The Vannelli Brothers era with a 12th trip to the X. But before the green uniformed Cadets fans populate the X's green seats, they will have to take care of the hot second seeded Rosemount Irish, who enter section play on an 11 game winning streak. Irish eyes have been smiling for Rosemount hockey fans since they haven't lost since January 8 following a 5-1 defeat by the Eagan Wildcats. Should St. Thomas Academy and Rosemount advance to the section final, it will be a rematch of the January 3 game that was won by the Cadets 3-1. Looking to prevent the rematch is the third seeded Eagan Wildcats.
In Section 4, the top seeded White Bear Lake Bears have a shot at their first trip to state since 2011. But before Bears fans drive by the familiar polar bear statue on Highway 61 to St. Paul, there's a familiar roadblock in the way, the second seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers. The Pioneers are on a quest for their 30th state tournament trip and look forward to a rematch with the Bears who beat them 3-2 on December 22.
If there's one common thread in Section 5, all eight teams are from the Northwest Suburban Conference. Leading the pack is the top seeded Blaine Bengals, who are in the hunt for their first trip to St. Paul since 2015 and 12th overall. But look out for the second seeded Maple Grove Crimson, who are on a five game winning streak and the third seeded Champlin Park Rebels who have gone 12-2 since losing to the Chanhassen Storm January 12. It has the makings of an outstanding three team race for the title trophy.
The top seeded team in Section 6 is the top ranked Class AA team, the Edina Hornets. Edina rose to the top spot in the Class AA rankings after they beat their Lake Conference rival the Minnetonka Skippers. But before the City of Edina sends its 34th team to the state tournament, they will have to get though a very tough section that includes the second seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights, the third seeded Wayzata Trojans and the fourth seeded Blake Bears. There's also the fifth seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders,, the sixth seeded Armstrong/Cooper Wings and a team that can be the sleeper of the section, the seventh seeded Holy Angels Stars. Take your pick. Who will punch their ticket to state?
Up to Section 7 where it's been an outstanding hockey season in the growing metropolis of Andover. The girls team has the number two seed in the Class AA tournament and the boys are the top seed in Section 7 and looking for their first trip to the X. But they will have to get past the second seeded Duluth East Greyhounds who are in the hunt for their 24th trip sown I-35 and the third seeded Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Lumberjacks.
The final Class AA section is Section 8 which has the makings of a four team race. The top seeded Moorhead Spuds are on a nine game winning and have not lost since they were shut out by the Wayzata Trojans 5-0 on January 5. Looking to make their 35th excursion to the capitol city is the second seeded Roseau Rams, who lost to Moorhead 6-2 on December 11. But wait, there's more. The third seeded Brainerd Warriors and the fourth seeded Buffalo Bison could pull the upsets and make their first trip to state. Some pretty good hockey coming up north.
Bloggers Note: Research form mshsl.org and minnesota-scores.net
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