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?