As the calendar turns to February, it's time to begin the road to St. Paul with the start of section play in Minnesota girls high school hockey. First up. The eight Class A sections.
In Section 1, it could be a two team race between the top seeded Rochester Lourdes/Dover-Eyota Eagles and the second seeded Faribault Falcons. The two teams met on January 10 with the Eagles shutting out the Falcons 4-0. A rematch could be possible but the third seeded Austin Packers, despite a losing record could be possible.
There could be a showdown between a pair of Wright County Conference teams with the top seeded Mound-Westonka Whitehawks and the second seeded Hutchinson Tigers. The Whitehawks swept the season series with a pair of one goal victories. Could there be a third in the section final? Not if the third seeded New Ulm Eagles, who are on a five game winning streak makes the trip down Highway 169 to St. Peter for the section final.
To Section 3, where the top seeded Luverne Cardinals have won eight of their last nine games, including the regular season finale over the second seeded Marshall Tigers. The Cardinals are a strong possibility to end Mankato East/Loyola's section dominance since the Cougars head into section play on a five game losing streak.
Over in Section 4, the top seeded South St. Paul Packers are on a quest for their record setting 15th trip to St. Paul. But the second seeded Simley Spartans hope to pack up the Packers state tournament hopes to earn their first state tournament berth. As for third seeded St. Paul United, it could be a tough road for their fifth consecutive section title. Keep an eye on this section. it could be interesting.
This year's Section 5 tournament leaves the Parade Ice Garden in Minneapolis for the Rec Center in St. Louis Park. One thing doesn't change. The two time defending champion Breck Mustangs are the top seed and are three wins away from a potential Class A threepeat. They will have to get past the second seeded Chisago Lakes Wildcats and the third seeded Orono Spartans who have won five straight games.
The pairings have not been set for Section 6 but it's very likely that the Willmar Cardinals will be the top seed. The only other team in the section with a winning record is the River Lakes Stars.
Good news for fans in the communities of Cloquet, Esko and Carlton. The Lumberjacks are the top seed in Section 7 and have a shot of returning to the X for the first time since 2009. Before Lumberjack fans make their hotel reservations for downtown St. Paul, there's some serious competition in their midst as the second seeded Proctor/Hermantown Mirage enters section play on an eight game winning streak. Also in the mix is the third seeded Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers. There's some outstanding girls hockey coming up in the northland.
Concluding the Class A preview is Section 8, which only has five teams and the top seeded Warroad Warriors are on pace for their 11th trip to the state tournament where they have gone 2-5 in seven Class A title games. They will have to get past the second seeded East Grand Forks Green Wave.
Next up. The eight Class AA sections.
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