While the state girls hockey tournament takes place in downtown St. Paul, it's their male counterparts turn to begin the road to the X. Here's a preview of the eight Class A sections.
The top seed in Section 1 is the Northfield Raiders, who have lost two of their last four games in overtime. Looking to make their first trip to state are the second seeded Dodge County Wildcats and the third seeded La Crescent-Hokah Lancers. It could be a three team race for the title trophy.
A pair of Wright County Conference teams occupy the top two seeds in Section 2, the Orono Spartans and the Delano Tigers. The two teams met January 6 with Orono emerging as a 3-2 winner. Could a rematch be possible in the Section final or will third seeded Minneapolis or fourth seeded Providence Academy pull an upset?
In Section 3, the top seeded Luverne Cardinals enter section play on an eight game winning streak. But look out for the second seeded New Ulm Eagles and third seeded Mankato East/Loyola. Will busloads of fans from the confluence of Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota make another trip to St. Paul if the Cardinals take home the section title trophy?
'The top seed in Section 4 is the perennial power and defending Class A champion Mahtomedi Zephyrs. Looking to zap the Zephyrs is second seeded Southwest Christian/Richfield and the third seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats.
There could be joy in The Granite City since the St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders are the top seed and look to extend a nine game winning streak into double figures. They will contend with the second seeded Monticello Moose and the third seeded Little Falls Flyers.
In Section 6, the top seeded Alexandria Cardinals take a four game winning streak into section play. m Looking to earn their first state tournament berth is the second seeded Northern Lakes Lightning who lost twice to the Cardinals in regular season play. Could the third time be the charm?
A familiar ring in Section 7 is that the top seed is the Hermantown Hawks. Looking to keep the Hawks fan buses from heading down I-35 are the second seeded Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Lumberjacks and the third seeded Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets.
There could be a changing of the guard in Section 8 as the top seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave is three games away from pursuing their first state title sine 2015. Looking for a return trip to the X is the second seeded Warroad Warriors who split their season series with the Green Wave? Who will win the rubber game if they meet in the section finals?
Next the eight Class AA sections
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