2021 Class AA Girls Hockey State Tournament Preview

 2021 CLASS AA STATE GIRLS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                         (Games played Saturday, March 27 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul)

11:00:  Centennial vs. Edina (Seed 2)

 1:00:   Alexandria vs. Minnetonka (Seed 3)

 6:00:   Farmington vs. Andover (Seed 1)  

 8:00:   Eastview (Seed 5) vs. Stillwater (Seed 4)  

Examining the Field:  After a day of Class A quarterfinal action, it's the Class AA team's turn to take the Xcel Energy Center spotlight.  First up is the Centennial Cougars,   in their fourth trip to state.  They took home the Section %AA trophy with a win over the top seeded Maple Grove Crimson.  Last time the Cougars played in the state tournament, they faced the Edina Hornets and lost 2-1.  This season, the Hornets are unbeaten and the number two seed.  Head coach Sami Reber has several Division I players on the roster and they look to bring home a state title before they go their separate ways.  

In the second game, the Alexandria Cardinals are in their 14th state tournament but their first as a Class AA school.  They were the dominate team for years in Section 6A and hope to transfer their success to the next level. But it won't be easy as they face the third seeded Minnetonka Skippers who are in their sixth state tournament.  Minnetonka was a hot team in the 2010s, winning three consecutive state titles under head coach Eric Johnson.  Now it's Tracy Cassano's turn to guide the Skippers toward another Class AA championship game.  But first, they may have to face for the third time, their Lake Conference rival the Edina Hornets.  

Opening up the evening session is the Farmington Tigers, heading down Highway 3 for the eighth time to the X.  They will face the unbeaten and defending state Class AA champion Andover Huskies.  If you have had the chance to attend any of their games in these COVID 19 times, you would have had a pretty quick trip to the arena because 16 of their games have gone into running time due to the six goal or more margin in the third period.  Andover, under head coach Melissa Volk has won 27 straight games and has 11 seniors.  Can the Huskies bring home another title trophy to the growing Anoka County suburb?  

Wrapping up the quarterfinals is the fifth seeded Eastview Lightning and the fourth seeded Stillwater Ponies.  The Lightning are in their fourth state tournament appearance, their first since 2017.  Eastview is on a five game winning streak since they were shut out by the Eagan Wildcats on March 9 3-0.  The Ponies make their first trip to St. Paul since they won the Class AA championship title in 2019.  It will be the first for head coach Mira Jalosuo, who replaced long-time head coach Tony Scheid.  Stillwater's has lost two games by identical 4-3 scores to Roseville and East Ridge and have won 10 straight games.  Can they make it 11 in a row against the Lightning?  

Blogger's Note:  Research for this article came from mshsl.org and minnesota-scores.net.  

2021 Class A State Girls Hockey Tournament Preview

       2021 CLASS A STATE GIRLS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE

                                (Games played Friday, March 26 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul)

11:00:  Rochester Lourdes vs. Warroad (Seed 2)

1:00:    Luverne vs. Proctor/Hermantown (Seed 3)

6:00:    River Lakes Stars vs. Gentry Academy (Seed 1)

8:00:   Mound-Westonka vs. Chisago Lakes (Seed 4)

Examining the Field:  One thing that's guaranteed in this year's Class A tournament is that there will be a new champion.  In the first game, the Rochester Lourdes Eagles make their third straight trip and fifth overall up Highway 52 to St. Paul to face the second seeded Warrroad Warriors.  The black and gold from Hockeytown USA is in their 11th trip to state with their only loss to top seeded Gentry Academy on February 5.  Since they beat their frequent championship rival Breck 6-4, Warroad has outscored their opponents 28-3, including 13 unanswered goals in section play.  They are a favorite to return to the finals and have an outstanding chance to bring the title trophy up north.  

The second game features the Luverne Cardinals who mare in their third state tournament appearance.  They face the third seeded Proctor/Hermantown Mirage, who heads down I-35 for the sixth time to the X.  The unbeaten Mirage have outscored their opponents 42-6 in their last seven games.  They have not played any metro area teams this season.  Can they remain unbeaten to force a showdown with Warroad?  

It's a "Battle of the Stars" to open the evening session when River Lakes faces top seeded Gentry Academy.  Both teams are in their first state tournament.  River Lakes, comprised of players from schools that include Rocori, Albany and New London-Spicer, earned their trip to St. Paul with a win over the Willmar Cardinals in the Section 6A final.  As for the White Bear Lake based Gentry Academy Stars, their only two losses were to the South St. Paul Packers and the Stillwater Ponies, both by one goal margins.  Can River Lakes pull off the upset or will Gentry Academy begin their quest for the school's first state title?  

The day wraps up with the fifth seeded Mound-Westonka Whitehawks battling the fourth seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats.  It's the fourth trip to the X for the Whitehawks, who are on a five game winning streak.  The two teams played each other February 27 at Thaler Arena in Mound with Chisago Lakes heading home happy with a 3-2 win.  Who will come out on top in the rematch?

2021 Class AAAA & AAA Girls Basketball Section Preview

 In the first of four posts preview the four girls and boys basketball classes, part one cover the eight Class AAAA & AAA girls basketball classes.  

Last season, the Farmington Tigers advanced to the championship game only to have their state title hopes derailed by COVID-19.  This season the unbeaten Tigers are the top seed in Section 1 and need to get past the Rochester Mayo Spartans for a return trip to state.  

Section 2 has another unbeaten, the Chaska Hawks, led by Gopher recruit Mallory Heyer.  But a couple of Lake Conference teams are on their path, the Minnetonka Skippers and the Eden Prairie Eagles.  

The only two teams in Section 3 with a winning record are the Rosemount Irish and the Lakeville North Panthers.  The Irish could make their first trip to state since 2002.  

The top seed in Section 4 is the unbeaten Stillwater Ponies.  They have to get past their Suburban East Conference rival the East Ridge Raptors.  

To Section 5 where the Centennial Cougars have won seven straight games.  Also in contention are the Roseville Raiders and the Spring Lake Park Panthers.  

Over in Section 6, the top seeded Hopkins Royals haven't missed a beat since Paige Bueckers graduated and long-time head coach Brian Cosgriff retired.  They have won 75 straight games and could get closer to Fosston's with another state tournament berth.  

In Section 7, the two teams with a winning record are the Forest Lake Rangers and the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets.  The Rangers are on a roll, entering tournament play with a seven game winning streak.  

And in Section 8, the Elk River Elks only loss this season was to the Centennial Cougars.  They will have to get past the Maple Grove Crimson and the Brainerd Warriors.  

In Class AAA.  Section 1 has the top seeded Red Wing Wingers.  It should be an interesting section with the Kasson-Mantorville Komets and the Austin Packers in contention.  

To Section 2 where the unbeaten Marshall Tigers are the top seed but it will be tough because the second seeded Waconia Wildcats are on their heals along with the Mankato East Cougars and the Mankato West Scarlets.  

Now to Section 3 as the top seeded Como Park Cougars are unbeaten.  Look out for the second seeded St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders and the third seeded Henry Sibley warriors, winners of six straight games.  

In Section 4, the Hill-Murray Pioneers haven't lost a game since their season opening loss to the Minnetonka Skippers.  They have to get past the Mahtomedi Zephyrs.  

Over in Section 5, the top seeded Becker Bulldogs have to get back on track after losing their last three games.  But the Bulldogs quest for a return to state could be derailed by the Willmar Cardinals and the Big Lake Hornets.  

In Section 6, head coach Dan Woods has another outstanding team for the Holy Angels Stars.  They have played some outstanding basketball this season and need to beat the Orono Spartans to get back to the tournament.  

Only two teams in Second have a winning record.  The Grand Rapids Thunderhawks and the Chisago Lakes Wildcats.  Who will emerge with the title trophy?  Find out in the section final.  

Finally in Section 8, the Alexandria Cardinals, under the veteran leadership of Wendy Kohler could make their 10th trip to state if they can get past the Detroit Lakes Cardinals who have not made the trip down Highway 10 to the Twin Cities since 2009.  

2021 Boys Hockey Section Preview

 Following a preview of the eight girls hockey sections in Class A & AA, here's a look at the eight Class A & AA boys hockey sections.  

Leading off with Class A.  In Section 1, it could be a three team race with the Dodge County Wildcats and two teams from Mankato, the Mankato East/Loyola Cougars and the Mankato West Scarlets.  

Section 2 has three hot teams, the Breck Mustangs, the Providence Academy Lions and the Delano Tigers.  Don't count out Southwest Christian/Richfield.  

Over in Section 3, the Hutchinson Tigers are the top seed but looking to keep the Tigers from heading down Highway 7 toward St. Paul are the New Ulm Eagles and looking for their first trip to the X, the Windom Area Eagles.  

The top seed in Section 4 is the unbeaten Gentry Academy Stars as they attempt to end the reign of the defending Class A champion Mahtomedi Zephyrs.  

In Section 5, the top seeded Monticello Moose is on a four game winning streak but look out for the Northern Lakes Lightning, the Chisago Lakes Wildcats and the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets.  

Up in Section 6, the top seeded Little Falls Flyers have a shot at heading down Highway 10 to St. Paul for the first time since 2012.  but the Fergus Falls Otters and Alexandria Cardinals could ground the Flyers chances at the championship hardware.  

Now this sounds familiar in Section 7.  The Hermantown Hawks are the number one seed and vying for their 11th trip to St. Paul in 12 years.  Their only regular season loss was to the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks.  Can they get past the Duluth Denfeld Hunters for another section trophy?  

And in Section 8.  It's been a great hockey season in Hockeytown USA as the Warroad Warriors enter sections on a four game winning streak.  Don't count out the East Grand Forks Green Wave and the Kittson Central Bearcats.

Now to Class AA and Section 1, which is led by the unbeaten Lakeville South Cougars.  Looking to keep the Cougar team bus from heading down I-35 are the Owatonna Huskies and the Rochester Mayo Spartans.  

In Section 2, the top seeded Eden Prairie Eagles are on a 15 game unbeaten streak since losing to their Lake Conference rival the Edina Hornets.  Can they get past the second seeded Prior Lake Lakers?

Over in Section 3, the top seeded St. Thomas Academy Cadets are three games away from their fifth straight trip to the X.  But Irish eyes could be smiling in Rosemount as the second seeded Irish looks for their first state tournament berth since 1992.  

In Section 4, the Hill-Murray Pioneers have won 10 straight games as they face another showdown with the White Bear Lake Bears.  

To Section 5 where the Maple Grove Crimson have been the top ranked team for most of the season until they were beaten by Lakeville South on March 9.  The Crimson's high power offense will have to slow the Centennial Cougars chances of heading down I-94 to St. Paul.  

Once again, Section 6 is a tough one to pick, starting with the top seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders, the second seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights and the third seeded Edina Hornets.  The Hornets face the St. Louis Park Orioles in the quarterfinals.  Oriole fans, you might want to bring a thermos of coffee to Braemar Arena.  It's an 8:30 PM game on March 18.  

Up north to Section 7 where the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks only loss in the regular season was to perennial Class A power Hermantown.  Could the Andover Huskies have a successful season like their female counterparts?  Their only losses this season were to the Maple Grove Crimson.  

Finally to Section 8 where the Rogers Royals are in the hunt for their first trip to state.  But a couple of northern teams are in their path, the Moorhead Spuds and the Roseau Rams.  Keep and eye on this section.  It should be interesting.  

2021 Girls Hockey Section Preview

Blogger's Note:  Due to section tournaments all starting the same week in hockey and basketball, HSGN will cut it's section previews  from single classes to a sport.  The exception is girls and boys basketball which will be in two parts per sport.  Classes A & AA and Classes AAA & AAAA.

It's a big week in Minnesota high school sports as section play begins in hockey and basketball.  First up, the eight Class A girls hockey sections.  

In Section 1, the top seeded Albert Lea Tigers are the team's with the section's only winning record.  Section 2 could be a three team race with the top seeded Mound-Westonka Whitehawks, the New Ulm Eagles and the Minnesota River Bulldogs   

Another three team race could take place in Section 3 with the top seeded Luverne Cardinals, the second seeded Mankato East/Loyola Cougars and the third seeded Marshall Tigers.  

In Section 4, it could be another state tournament trip for veteran head coach Dave Palmquist and the top seeded South St. Paul Packers.  

Over in Section 5, there could be a changing of the guard in Section 5 as the Chisago Lakes Wildcats have the number one seed and Breck has the second seed.  Get ready for a caravan down Highway 8 Wildcat fans, this could be the year they unseat the Breck Mustangs.  

Who will come out of Section 6?  Will it be the top seeded Willmar Cardinals or the second seeded River Lakes Stars?

Up north in Section 7, the unbeaten Proctor/Hermantown Mirage will have to get past the second seeded Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers.  

And in Section 8, the top seeded Warroad Warriors are on a 12 game winning streak but they have to get past the second seeded Thief River Falls Prowlers.  

Now to Class AA and Section 1 where the unbeaten Northfield Raiders are not the top seed.  The Farmington Tigers have the top spot.  Also in contention is the Lakeville South Cougars. 

In Section 2, the top seeded Minnetonka Skippers are on a quest back to St. Paul but they have to contend with the hot Holy Family Catholic Fire and Lake Conference rival Eden Prairie.  

Over in Section 3,, the top seeded Burnsville Blaze is on a 10 game winning streak but can they hold off the second seeded Eastview Lightning?

Things look interesting in Section 4 as five teams via for the section title trophy.  They are the Stillwater Ponies, the Roseville Raiders, the Hill-Murray Pioneers, the East Ridge Raptors and the Mounds View Mustangs.  Who will come out of this section?  Take your pick. 

Now to Section 5, the top seeded Maple Grove Crimson has to contend with the Centennial Cougars and the Blaine Bengals.  

The unbeaten Edina Hornets, with several Dvision I recruits are the top seed in Section 6.  But standing in their way is the second seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights and the third seeded Wayzata Trojans.  

In Section 7, the defending Class AA champion Andover Huskies are the top seed and haven't missed a beat with 17 straight wins.  The Forest Lake Rangers and Grand Rapids/Greenway could keep the buses in the garage.  

It could be a three team race in Section 8 with the top seeded Roseau Rams, Brainerd/Little Falls and the Alexandia Cardinals.  

HSGN To Sit Out State Tournaments

 In an earlier post, HSGN posted a story that mentioned that this blog will not be covering any games outside of St. Louis Park games where the blogger is doing the public address announcing due to fan limitations and no general public ticket sales.  

The moratorium carries over to the state tournaments.  

In an article published in the March 4 StarTribune, seating capacity at state tournaments will be limited to 250 and primarily parents of the athletes and limited media.  Also, no tickets will be sold to the general public.  With that criteria in mind, it's the decision of HSGN to continue its position on not covering any games this season.  

It doesn't mean HSGN will go away at tournament time.  There will be section previews as well as state tournament previews.  KSTC-TV will once again broadcast the girls and boys hockey and basketball tournaments.  The Hubbard owned station will carry the semifinals and championship games of the girls hockey and boys and girls basketball tournaments and all championship bracket games in the state boys hockey tournament.  

Also, quarterfinal games in girls hockey and boys and girls basketball will be carried on a pay-per-view basis on prepspotlight.tv.  Fans who don't want to pay to watch their team in action can scout around for radio stations carrying the state tournaments.  No worries for boys basketball since KDHL from Faribault has been carrying "Baseline to baseline coverage" since 1948.  The station also covers games area teams are playing in hockey and girls basketball.  As for hockey and girls basketball.  Live game coverage can be found on stations in the area carrying the game online.  For those unable to watch the boys hockey tournament because they are at work or in the car, check your local paper for stations carrying the tournament.  

There's plenty of action coming up in late March and if you can't get a ticket, there are other ways to follow the state tournament action.  

COVID 19 Concerns Cancel SLP Sports Final Regular Season Week

 Though many Minnesotans (including the author of this blog) have been getting vaccinated for the coronavirus, it has still put a damper on the winter high school sports season at St. Louis Park.

The week of March 8 would have been the final week of the regular season for the boys hockey and girls basketball teams but those games have been cancelled and not rescheduled.  The Orioles boys were to host the Blake Bears on the 8th and the Wayzata Trojans on the 12th.  The girls basketball team was scheduled to face the unbeaten Hopkins Royals on the 10th.  

However, the gymnastics team's meet in Bloomington against the Jefferson Jaguars is still scheduled for the 9th.  The boys basketball team, who hosted the Eden Prairie Eagles on Saturday the 6th, will battle another Lake Conference foe, the Hopkins Royals, also on the 9th at Hopkins.  

Also in action is the combined Hopkins/SLP girls hockey team as they have back to back home games this weekend.  They will host the Waconia Wildcats on the 12th and head to The Rec Center on the 13th to play an outdoor game against Moose Lake/Willow River.  

However, there is some good news from all of this.  St. Louis Park will begin section play in both girls basketball and boys hockey the week of March 15.  It's very likely that the Orioles will play a home section game in both sports that week.  

As the saying goes, there is light at the end of the tunnel and it will shine in St. Louis Park the week of the 15th.