(Games played Wednesday, Mary 8 at Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul)
11:00: Luverne vs. Hermantown (Seed 2)
1:00: Alexandria vs. Mahtomedi (Seed 3)
6:00: St. Cloud Cathedral vs. Warroad (Seed 1)
8:00: Northfield (Seed 5) vs. Orono (Seed 4)
EXAMINING THE FIELD
It will be a North vs. South battle to open the State Boys Hockey Tournament as the Luverne Cardinals face the second seeded and defending Class A champion Hermantown Hawks. The Cardinals are playing in their third tournament and first since 2017 and will play their first game against a northern Minnesota school. Luverne enters state tournament play on an 11 game winning streak but they have a very difficult task in the defending Class A champion Hawks, who are playing in their 19th state tournament. They outscored their section opponents 21-4. One of their two losses was to the Warroad Warriors. Is a rematch possible in Saturday's Class A final?
Another flock of Cardinal fans will enter the X as the afternoon session concludes with the Alexandria Cardinals and the third seeded Mahtomedi Zephyrs. The Cardinals, in their seventh trip to state are red hot and on a six game winning streak as they face the Zephyrs who are playing in their 14th state tournament and have bounced back after a four game losing streak to win their last nine games. Can they make it 10?
Opening up the evening session will be the perennial Granite City power the St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders, in their 11th state tournament and the top seeded Warroad Warriors. The Crusaders overcame an 0-3 start that included a 4-0 season opening shutout against the Warriors to go 13-9 the rest of the way. Warroad, playing in its 23rd state tournament is unbeaten, including a 1-1 tie against Sartell-St. Stephen. Two weeks ago, their female counterparts brought home a state championship trophy. Can the boys duplicate the feat bring another celebration to the sit of next year's Hockey Day Minnesota?
Wrapping up the day's festivities will be the fifth seeded Northfield Raiders and the fourth seeded Orono Spartans. The Raiders head up Highway 3 for the first time since 2017 and enter tournament play on a six game winning streak. They face Orono, playing in their 10th state tournament and in the hunt for their first Class A title since 2018. Will the Raiders advance toward a showdown with Warroad or will Orono battle for a chance to take home the title trophy down Highway 12 Saturday afternoon?
Next: The Class AA preview
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