2020 Class A State Girls Hockey Tournament Preview

          2020 CLASS A STATE GIRLS HOCKEY TOURNAMENT QUARTERFINAL SCHEDULE
                        (GAMES PLAYED AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER, ST. PAUL)

11:00:  Willmar vs. Warroad (Seed 2)
 1:00    Hutchinson vs. Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (Seed 3)
 6:00:   Luverne vs. Breck (Seed 1)
 8:00:   Rochester Lourdes (Seed 5) vs. South St. Paul (Seed 4)

Examining the Field:  The 2020 edition of the Minnesota State High School Girls Hockey Tournament opens with the Willmar Cardinals making their first trip to St. Paul since 2003 The Cardinals survived a three game losing streak in December and have won four of their last five games.  It won't be easy for Willmar since they go up against the second seeded Warroad Warriors, in their 11th trip to state.  Thy have played a tough nonconference schedule with three of their four defeats against Class AA powers Minnetonka, Wayzata and Roseau.  The Warriors are led by Ms. Hockey finalist Hannah Corneiliusen, who will be headed to Merrimack College in New Hampshire next season.  Warroad has outscored their two Section 8 opponents Crookston and Thief River Falls 16-0.  Can their unanswered goal streak continue?  They have a great shot at ending Breck's title run. 

The afternoon session wraps up with the Hutchinson Tigers heading down Highway 7 for the fifth time to the X.  Not to sound redundant with the number five since good things have come in that particular digit for the Tigers.  They began the season 5-0 and head to state on a five game winning streak.  However, it looks difficult for Hutchinson as they battle the third seeded Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Lumberjacks, who return to the state tournament for the first time since 2007.  Back then, they had some outstanding teams under the leadership of Richard Bartholdi.  Now it's Courtney Olin leading the Lumberjacks to a 24-1 run after starting the season 1-2.  Their defense has been solid, only allowing more than one goal in two games against the same opponent Proctor/Hermantown.  Could their be a potential semifinal match up with Warroad? 

Opening up the evening session will be another Cardinal team, this one from Luverne.  It's the second trip to St. Paul for the Cardinals and their first game against a Twin Cities based school as they go up against the top seeded and the two time defending Class A champion Breck Mustangs.  Luverne has only lost one game since the calendar changed to 2020 and it was to New Ulm 4-1 on January 23.  As for Breck, they have played a rugged nonconference schedule that included two losses to the top seeded team in Class AA the Edina Hornets.  The Mustangs are led by Ms. Hockey finalist (and a former St. Louis Park Oriole) Olivia Mobley.  She also has an outstanding supporting cast that includes Ally Qualley and Sadie Lindsey, who scored two goals in the section final against the Orono Spartans.  There's also outstanding goaltending from freshman Sarah Peterson.  Memo to the custodial staff at Breck:  Clear a space in the trophy case.  You might need room for another championship trophy. 

Bringing the Class A quarterfinal day to a close is the fifth seeded Rochester Lourdes Eagles and returning to the X after a five year absence, the fourth seeded South St. Paul Packers.  The Eagles have bounced back after a midseason four game losing streak to win six of their last seven games.  It will be a rematch of the regular season finale where the Packers packed up the Eagles 8-2.  Veteran head coach Dave Palmquist brings South St. Paul to state for the 15th time and on a quest for their first state title since 2006.  There could be a rematch with Breck in the semifinals if they beat Rochester Lourdes.  The Packers were shut out 4-0 by the Mustangs on January 28.  Can these two powers battle for a trip to Saturday's Class A final? 

Next the Class AA preview.