After previewing the eight Class A sections, here's a preview of the eight Class AA sections.
There's good news for hockey fans in Lakeville as the Lakeville South Cougars and the Lakeville North Panthers are the top two seeds in Section 1. The Cougars enter section play with 13 straight wins. But looking to end hopes of an All Lakeville Final are the third seeded Hastings Raiders and the fourth seeded Rochester Mayo Spartans. This could be an interesting section to watch.
The top seed in Section 2 is the defending state Class AA champion Eden Prairie Eagles. It will be tough for the Eagles to repeat since their Lake Conference rivals, the second seeded Minnetonka Skippers split their season series. But wait a minute, there's another contender that's red hot, the third seeded Chaska Hawks. The Hawks have won 12 straight games and are three wins away from their first trip to the X. Will there be a third Eagles-Skippers battle or will the Hawks get a rematch with Eden Prairie after they lost 4-1 in the Prior Lake Invitational December 28?
Heading to Section 3 as one of the top Class AA teams is the top seed the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders. The Raiders have one 15 straight games and two of their three losses were to the second seeded St. Thomas Academy Cadets. Is a third meeting possible in the section final?
The perennial powerhouse, the Hill-Murray Pioneers are the top seed in Section 4. It won't be easy for the Pioneers to head to state for the 32nd time since they have competition from the second seeded Stillwater Ponies, the third seeded White Bear Lake Bears and the fourth seeded and defending Class A champion Gentry Academy Stars. Plenty of exciting action in the east metro.
Over in Section 5, the top seeded Rogers Royals are three wins away from heading down I-94 to St. Paul. But look out for the second seeded Maple Grove Crimson and the third seeded Centennial Cougars. The Royals beat both the Crimson and the Cougars in regular season play. Will this be the year for Rogers to win the section title?
Now comes the toughest section to forecast and it's Section 6. It's a five team race for a state tournament berth as the top seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights contend with the second seeded Edina Hornets, the third seeded Wayzata Trojans, the fourth seeded Holy Angels Stars and the fifth seeded Blake Bears. Where are the St. Louis Park Orioles? They are the sixth seed and face Wayzata in the quarterfinals. Who will emerge with the title trophy? It's a tough question to give a logical answer.
It's been an outstanding year for hockey in Andover. First, the unbeaten girls team is the top seed and favorite to win the Class AA state title, now the boys team is the number one seed in Section 7. Also in contention are the second seeded Grand Rapids Thunderhawks and the third seed Blaine Bengals, who the Huskies beat twice in the regular season. It could be a three team race for the title trophy.
Wrapping up the preview is Section 8 as the top seeded Moorhead Spuds are in the hunt for their 19th trip to the X and a chance to finally bring home a championship trophy. But looking to prevent them from making the five hour trip down I-94 is the second seeded Roseau Rams, who split the season series with the Spuds and are three wins away from their 35th state tournament berth. As for third seeded Elk River/Zimmerman, they have won seven of their last eight games. Another three team race for a section title.
Let the races for a state tournament berth begin. There's plenty of drama and excitement coming up.
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