2017 Class A Boys Hockey Section Preview

Following the preview of the eight Class AA sections will be a preview of the eight Class A sections.  \

In Section 1, the top seeded Northfield Raiders could make their second trip in two weeks down Highway 3 to St. Paul like their female counterparts but look out for the hot second seeded Rochester Lourdes Eagles who have won seven games in a row.  Mix in the third seeded Red Wing Wingers, the fourth seeded Mankato West Scarlets and the fifth seeded Mankato East Cougars and this could be a tough section to pick a winner.

Can the top seeded Delano Tigers end the Breck Mustangs reign in Section 2?  The Tigers are led by Mr. Hockey finalist Ben Meyers, who will play at Maine next season. The Mustangs are on an 11 game winning streak and Les Larson's bunch could maintain their momentum and head back to St. Paul.

The Luverne Tigers are the top seed in Section 3.  Also in the hunt are the second seeded Marshall Tigers, the third seeded Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato Dragons and the fourth seeded New Ulm Eagles.

In Section 4, the top seeded St. Paul Academy Spartans are the number one seed.  Also contending are the second seeded Mahtomedi Zephyrs and the third seeded St. Paul Johnson Governors.

Section 5 could be a really good race to the championship with op seeded Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lake.  The second seeded North Branch Vikings are on an eight game winning streak but look out for the third seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats, the fourth seeded Princeton Tigers and the fifth seeded Pine City Dragons.  It' s a toughie with not a true favorite to head to the X.

The pairings have not been posted for Section 6 but it could be a two team race between the St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders and the Alexandria Cardinals.

Now to Section 7, where the top seed is the defending Class A champion Hermantown Hawks.  The Hawks have won 23 consecutive games and have the talent to go back to St. Paul.  Looking to end the hwks dominance are the second seeded  Hibbing/Chisholm Bluejackets and the third seeded Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin Raiders.

Concluding the section preview is Section 8 with the top seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave looking to hold off the second seeded Thief River Falls Prowlers, the third seeded Warroad Warriors and the fourth seeded Detroit Lakes-Perham Cardinals.

There you have it, the eight Class A sections.  Let the battles begin for state tournament berths.