2024 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS HOCKEYvs. Holy Angels TOURNAMENT CLASS A QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE
(Games played Wednesday, February 22 at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul)
11:00: Willmar vs. Orono (Seed 2)
1:00: Fergus Falls vs. Dodge County Wildcats (Seed 3)
6:00: Luverne vs. Holy Angels (Seed 1)
8:00: Proctor/Hermantown (Seed 5) v. Warroad (Seed 4)
Examining the Field: The 2024 State Girls Hockey Tournament gets underway as the Willmar Cardinals make their fourth trip to state by beating the top seeded River Lakes Stars in the Section 2 final after losing twice to the m in regular season play. It will be a difficult task for the Cardinals as they face the second seeded Orono Spartans, last year's Class A runner up. The Spartans punched their third straight tournament ticket with a win over Wright County Conference rival Mound-Westonka-Southwest Christian in the Section 5 title game. Orono is 5-3 against state tournament teams, including a 5-4 defeat to Holy Angels on January 13. Could a rematch be possible in the Class A final?
Wrapping up the afternoon session is the Fergus Falls Otters and the third seeded Dodge County Wildcats. The Otters, in their fourth state tournament come out of a weak Section 6 and will have their hands full with the third seeded Dodge County Wildcats, who are making their first trip up Highway 52 to St. Paul. The Wildcats enter the state winning six of their last seven games. Their loss to Orono 5-4 on January 20 was the only game they gave up more than three goals. Don't count out the Wildcats. They could derail the Spartans chances if they play in the semifinals.
Opening the evening session is the Luverne Cardinals facing the top seeded Holy Angels Stars. The Cardinals are playing in their sixth state tournament and fourth consecutive but they will face the Stars who are in their first tournament since 2006. They are in the hunt for their first state title since 2005. Holy Angels comes to the X on a five game winning streak. Can they end a 19 year title drought?
Closing out Quarterfinal Wednesday is the fifth seeded Proctor/Hermantown Mirage and the defending Class A champion and fourth seeded Warroad Warriors. It's no mirage that Proctor/Hermantown is playing in their fourth straight state tournament and eighth overall after they knocked the top seeded Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers from the top of the Section 7 hill. The Warriors are back in St. Paul for the ninth straight year and 15th overall. The two teams met in their season opener November 10 with Warroad a 2-1 winner. If you have the chance to attend only one game in the quarterfinals, head to the X for this one. It should be a great climax to the day's proceedings.
Next: The Class AA quarterfinal preview
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