While the state girls hockey tournament takes place in downtown St. Paul, there's plenty of excitement for boys hockey fans as section play gets underway. First up is a preview of the eight Class A sections.
It's been a good year for hockey in the home of Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges. First the Northfield girls hockey team opens Class A tournament play against the Orono Spartans now the boys team is the top seed in Section 1. The Raiders have won 14 of their last 15 games and have to contend with the second seeded Rochester Lourdes Eagles and the third seeded Albert Lea Tigers. Can the maroon and gold win the gold medals for a second trip to the X in a two week period.
Heading into Section 2 where top seeded Minneapolis could earn their first state tournament berth by a city public school since Edison in 1994. But like the early 1970s hit from Ringo Starr, it don't come easy since the second seeded Delano Tigers, the third seeded Orono Spartans and the fourth seeded Providence Academy Lions could extend the drought.
The New Ulm Eagles are the top seed in Section 3 entering section play with seven wins in their last eight games. But could second seeded Mankato East/Loyola continue their even number pattern of state tournament appearances?
It could be a three team race in Section 4 with the top seeded Mahtomedi Zephyrs looking for their fifth trip to the X in six years. But looking to keep the Zephyr fan buses in the garage are the second seeded Simley Spartans and the third seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats. This could be an interesting section to watch.
In Section 5, the top seeded Little Falls Flyers got off to a 15-0 start before going 5-4-1 heading into sections. Can the Flyers make their second straight trip down Highway 10? First they have to get past the second seeded Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets.
The top seed in Section 6 is the Alexandria Cardinals, followed by the second seeded Fergus Falls Otters. On February 15, the Cardinals shutout the Otters 3-0. Could their be a rematch in the section final?
Yes sir folks, the Hermantown Hawks are the top seed in Section 7 and in the hunt for their 18th trip down I-35 to St. Paul. Their only losses this season were to the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders and the Maple Grove Crimson. But they will have to get past the second seeded Duluth Denfeld Hunters and third seeded Rock Ridge.
Concluding the Class A preview is Section 8 with the Warroad Warriors the top seed. The Warriors lost in overtime to Hermantown in the regular season. To get a possible rematch, they will have to contend with the second seeded Thief River Falls Prowlers and the third seeded Detroit Lakes Lakers who have not been to state since 1996.
Next up, the eight Class AA sections.
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