2024 MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS A BOYS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE
(Games played Wednesday, March 6 at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul)
11:00: New Ulm vs. Warroad (Seed 2)
1:00: Northfield vs. St. Cloud Cathedral (Seed 3)
6:00: Alexandria vs. Hermantown (Seed 1)
8:00: Orono (Seed 5) vs. Mahtomedi (Seed 4)
Examining the field: Opening up the 80th edition of the Minnesota State High School Boys Hockey Tournament as the New Ulm Eagles battle the second seeded Warroad Warriors. The Eagles beat Marshall in the Section 3 final to advance to their first state tournament since 2019. They will have their hands full as the Warroad Warriors, last year's Class A runner up are playing in their 25th state tournament. Warroad needed double overtime to beat East Grand Forks in the Section 8 final. The Warriors are 3-8 in state title games. Can they advance to number 12?
Ending the afternoon session is the Northfield Raiders and the third seeded St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders. Unlike the girls team that advance to the state tournament in Class AA, the boys are in Section 1 and make their second consecutive trip up Highway 3. The Raiders won five of their last seven regular season games before beating the Dodge County Wildcats in the section final. There's good news in The Granite City as the St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders head to the X for the 12th time and enter the tournament on a 12 game winning streak. They have not lost a game since they were defeated by the Hermantown Hawks on January 11. Could a rematch be possible is they advance to Saturday's title
The evening session begins with the Alexandria Cardinals making their third straight trip and eighth overall down I-94 to St. Paul. The Cardinals are 14-2 since they began 2024 on a three game losing streak. They will have a tough task ahead the top seeded Hermantown Hawks, playing in their 20th state tournament. Seven of the Hawks eight losses were to Class AA teams. They are the favorites to take home the Class A title trophy.
Wrapping up the day's festivities is the fifth seeded Orono Spartans and the fourth seeded and defending Class A champion Mahtomedi Zephyrs. The Spartans are playing in their second straight and 11th overall state tournament. They will face the fourth seeded and defending champion Mahtomedi Zephyrs, playing in their 15th state tournament. Following two straight shutouts in Section 4, the Zephyrs beat Southwest Christian/Richfield 3-2 in overtime to keep their title defense alive. Can the blue and gold add more gold medals?
Next: The Class AA preview
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