Eight Class A sections have been examined and now it's the eight Class AA sections turn to be previewed.
Starting with Section 1, it could be a four team race for the championship trophy. The top seed is the Farmington Tigers, who have lost two of their last three games. The second seeded Lakeville North Panthers enter section play on a three game unbeaten streak.
Looking for their first trip to the X is the third seeded Dodge County Wildcats. They picked up a couple of key wins against section opponents the Northfield Raiders and the Owatonna Huskies who are seeded fourth and fifth. There's no clear cut favorite in this section. Take your pick.
Heading to Section 2, the top seeded Eden Prairie Eagles are three wins away from their fifth trip to state in six years. There could also be a rematch with the second seeded Minnetonka Skippers who split the season series. Now wait a minute. There's more competition with the third seeded Chaska/Chanhassen Stormhawks who are in the hunt for their first trip as a co-op and the first by a Chaska based team in 18 years. The fourth seeded Shakopee Sabers have won five of their last six games, including a regular season overtime win against the Rosemount Irish. Another team that could be a factor is the fifth seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire who have gone 4-0-1 in their last five games. Looking to spring an upset are the sixth seeded Bloomington Jefferson Jaguars and the seventh seeded New Prague Trojans. Who will come out of this section? Find out February 15 at Braemar Arena in Edina.
In Section 3, the top seeded Eagan Wildcats are on a quest to bring home another section trophy. First they might have to face the second seeded Burnsville Blaze for the third time this season. The two South Suburban Conference schools split their regular season meetings. Looking to make their first trip down I-94 to St. Paul is the third seeded East ridge Raptors.
Over in Section 4, the top seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers are the only team with a winning record in their section. Head coach Bill Schafhauser has another outstanding team that has won eight of their last nine games going into their regular season finale against St. Paul United en route to their seventh consecutive state tournament berth. But they will have to get past the second seeded White Bear Lake Bears.
To Section 5, where the top seeded Maple Grove Crimson is red hot on a six game winning streak prior to closing out the regular season against the Wayzata Trojans. Last year's Class AA runner up, the Centennial Cougars is seeded second, followed by third seeded Champlin Park/Coon Rapids. Mix in the fourth seeded Anoka Tornadoes, the fifth seeded Blaine Bengals and the sixth seeded Rogers Royals and you have another highly competitive section. The Royals could surprise and make their first trip to state.
Now to Section 6. Blake or Edina? Two outstanding teams but only one can take home the championship trophy. The Bears and the defending Class AA champion Hornets split their two regular season games and there could be a third on February 15 at the Parade Ice Garden in Minneapolis. Looking to pull the upsets are the third seeded Wayzata Trojans and the fourth seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights. If the Blake-Edina final comes to fruition, bring a thermos of coffee. It could be a marathon game.
Section 7 could be a showdown of two excellent north metro teams, the top seeded Forest Lake Rangers and the second seeded Andover Huskies. The two teams met December 13 with the Rangers coming out on top 1-0. Don't count out third seeded Elk River/Zimmerman or fourth seeded Grand Rapids/Greenway. Another team that's in contention is Cambridge-Isanti/Mora/Pine City.
The Section 8 pairings won't be released until February 6 but it looks like it has the makings of another outstanding section with Brainerd/Little Falls, Roseau and North Wright County each with 19 wins. Buffalo/Maple Lake and Sartell/Sauk Rapids are also contenders. Last year, Brainerd/Little Falls made their first trip to St. Paul. Can they make it two straight?
There you have it. The Road to St. Paul. Section play gets underway this week.
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