2017 Class AA Boys Hockey Section Preview

As the girls hockey season winds down with the state tournament, it's the boys turn to begin The Road to St. Paul.  Here's a preview of the eight Class AA sections.

In Section 1, the two top seeds are fro Lakeville with the Lakeville North Panthers the top seed and the Lakeville South Cougars second.  The third seeded Farmington Tigers have lost five straight games but don't count out the fourth seeded Rochester Century Panthers or the fifth seeded Owatonna Huskies.  This could be an interesting section.

The top seed in Section 2 is the Eden Prairie Eagles, led by Mr. Hockey finalist Casey Mittelstadt.  The Eagles are on a 13 game winning streak but the second seeded Holy Family Catholic Fire could be a big threat to Eden Prairie's return to the X if hey can come back after losing to the Stillwater Ponies.  Also in the hunt are the third seeded Minnetonka Skippers,  the fourth seeded Prior Lake Lakers and the fifth seeded Chaska Hawks. Keep an eye on Section 2.  There's plenty of talent.  Who will emerge with the championship trophy March 1 at Mariucci Arena?

Section 3 is led by the top seeded St. Thomas Academy Cadets who are on an eight game winning streak.  But don't count out the second seeded Burnsville Blaze or the third seeded Eastview Lightning.

Now to Section 4 where the top seeded Stillwater Ponies were the state's top ranked Class AA tam until they lost to White Bear Lake on January 14. There could be a rematch with the Bears in the section final but first they have to get past the second seeded Hill-Murray Pioneers.

It could be a two team race in Section 5 with the top seeded Centennial Cougars and the second seeded Maple Grove Crimson.  There could be a rubber game in the section final since both teams split their regular season series.  Also in contention is the third seeded Blaine Bengals.

For the first time in years, Section 6 is down in talent.  But it doesn't mean that there are several teams that could contend for a trip to St. Paul.  The top seeded Edina Hornets, the second seeded Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders, the defending Class AA champion Wayzata Trojans, the fourth seeded Benilde-St. Margaret's Red Knights and the fifth seeded St. Louis Park Orioles.  Who will come out of this section?  Take your pick.

Head up north to Section 7 and the top seeded Elk River/Zimmerman Elks have won seven straight games.  But don't count out the second seeded Duluth East Greyhounds who lost to the Elks 4-1 on February 4.  Third seeded Cloquet-Esko-Carlton could also be in the mix.

Wrapping up the Class AA preview is Section 8. The pairings have not been released yet by the top two seeds could be the Moorhead Spuds and the St. Michael-Albertville Knights.  The Knighta are looking for their fist trip to state but they may have to contend with the perennial power the Roseau Rams.

Next up, the eight Class A sections.