After examining the eight Class A sections, here's a preview of the eight Class AA sections.
The two Lakeville schools are the top two seeds in Section 1, with Lakeville South the top seed and Lakeville North second. Looking to crash the party for Lakeville fans is the red hot and third seeded Owatonna Huskies. The Huskies have won 10 straight games, including a 6-2 win over Lakeville South on January 30. Don't count out the fourth seeded Northfield Raiders. Which team will make the trip of I-35 to the X? It's a toughie.
In Section 2, the top seeded and top ranked team in Class AA is the Minnetonka Skippers. Head coach Tracy Cassano leads the Skippers into section play on a six game winning streak. But look out for the second seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire who could sink the Skippers ship for their first state tournament berth.
Heading south to Section 3 where the only team with a record above .500 is the top seeded Apple Valley Eagles. Could the second seeded Rosemount Irish pull an upset?
If you're looking for one section tournament to watch live, head to Aldrich Arena in Maplewood for the Section 4 semifinals and finals. There are five outstanding teams that could make the trip down Highway 36 to downtown St. Paul. First is the top seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers, whose only two losses were two Edina and Minnetonka. Then comes the second seeded Gentry Academy Stars, the third seeded Stillwater Ponies and fourth seeded Roseville/Mahtomedi. Also in the mix the fifth seeded East Ridge Raptors. Who will come out of this section? Take your pick.
Next up is Section 5, where the pairings have not yet been released but it could be a three team race between the Maple Grove Crimson, the Centennial Cougars and Champlin Park/Coon Rapids.
Could this be the year Edina is dethroned as Section 6 champions? It's not a typo on the state high school league website, the Hornets are the number two seed behind the top seeded Blake Bears. The two teams met on January 17, with the Bears stinging the Hornets 1-0. Is a rematch possible in the section final?
The top seed in Section 7 is the defending Class AA champion Andover Huskies. Head coach Melissa Volk has put the Huskies through a bruising nonconference schedule and they have not lost a game since January 14 when they lost to the Hill-Murray Pioneers 2-1. Looking to end the Huskies championship reign is the second seeded Blaine Bengals and third seeded Grand Rapids/Greenway. Can Andover return to St. Paul to defend their title or will it end in the section final?
Wrapping up the section preview is Section 8, where the top seeded Moorhead Spuds are on a quest for their first trip to the X since 2013. Hoping to keep the Moorhead fan buses in the garage are the second seed Roseau Rams and the third seeded Alexandria Cardinals. Don't count out the fourth seeded Bemidji Lumberjacks.
Let section play begin on The Road to St. Paul.
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