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Class 2A Boys Section Previews

Pete Waggoner — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 22:59:39 +0000

Lakeville North’s Jack Poehling making a pass in last year’s Class 2A state quarterfinals against Roseau. (MHM Photo / Tim Kolehmainen)

Pete Waggoner breaks down the Class 2A boys’ section matchups

Section 8AA

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)
1. Bemidji (19-3-2)    6 (0)
2. Moorhead (14-7-2)   14 (0)
3. Roseau (12-11-1)   34 (7 – 1946, 58, 59, 61, 90, 99, 07)
4. Buffalo (14-8)    None
5. Brainerd (8-16-1)   None
6. River Lakes (12-10-2)   None
7. St. Cloud Tech (6-16-2) None
8. Monticello-Annandale-Maple Lake (9-16-0)   None
9. Becker-Big Lake (5-20-0)   None

Preview
It has been 29-years since the Bemidji Lumberjacks have made a state tournament appearance and 19 years since a team other than Roseau or Moorhead have represented Section 8AA. Alexandria was the last team to capture the Section 8AA title in 1996. Bemidji was last in the state tournament when George Pelawa the led Lumberjacks in 1986. Those two major trends could come to an end this year with the Lumberjacks holding down the top seed in the section. Carrying a 9-0 record in Section 8AA games, the Lumberjacks completed a sweep this year against Moorhead (4-2) and (3-0) and Roseau (3-2) and (4-0). Roseau and Moorhead have combined for 48 state tournament appearances and hold down the second and third seeds. Buffalo presents a challenge to the top three seeds a sleeper in the bracket and has seen steady improvement throughout the year. This year appears to be the year of the Lumberjacks who have allowed just 35 goals against this year second only to Lakeville North’s 34 allowed. Bemidji has proven this is their section to lose. MNHockeyMag.com predicts: Bemidji

Section 7AA

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)
1. Elk River/Zimmerman (20-4-1)   6 (1 – 2001)
2. Grand Rapids (13-10-2)   14 (3 – 1975, 76, 80
3. Duluth East (11-10-4)    21   (3 – 1960, 1995, 1998)
4. St. Michael-Albertville (21-4-0)   None
5. Cloquet/Esko/Carlton (11-11-3)   5 (0)
6. Andover (10-12-3)   None
7. Forest Lake (8-15-2)   None
8. St. Francis (4-20-1)   None 1
9. Cambridge-Isanti (10-14-0)   1 (0)

Preview
This could be the year the Elk River/Zimmerman Elks return to the state tournament for the first time since 2005. The turn of the millennium saw the Elks qualify for the state tournament four times in five seasons with a title in 2001. Since then, it has been the trio of Duluth East, Grand Rapids, and Cloquet-Esko-Carlton that have represented Section 7AA. With a 4-0-1 record against 7AA teams, the only blemish on the Elks’ resume in those five games was a 1-1 tie against Duluth East on Jan. 31. Wins against Andover (twice), Grand Rapids, and Forest Lake help the Elks’ cause as the favorite and number one seed. The Grand Rapids Thunderhawks cannot be ruled out with a terrific junior class and the wild card team is the St. Michael-Albertville Knights who are entering the post season with 21 win campaign. If the Knights can transition to a playoff run, STMA has the potential to be a bracket buster. Never rule out the well-coached Duluth East Greyhounds who are always tough in the post season. Elk River may have the best player in high school hockey in Jake Jaremko (22g-46a-68pts) and his running mate Reggie Lutz (35g-25a-60pts) completes a high end tag team that should propel them to the state tournament. MNHockeyMag.com predicts: Elk River

Section 6AA

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)
1. Eden Prairie (16-9-0)   7   (2 – 2009, 2011)
2. Minnetonka (12-11-2)   5 (0)
3. Wayzata (11-11-3) 3 (0)
4. Benilde-St. Margaret’s (14-9-2)   4 (1999, 2001, 2012)
5. Holy Family Catholic (17-6-2)   None
6. Hopkins (12-11-1)   2 (0)
7. Robbinsdale Armstrong/Cooper (9-15-1)   None

Preview
The Eden Prairie Eagles ended up separating themselves from the field the final two weeks of the season with consistent play and a commitment to a shutdown defensive brand. While they executed their game plan, the other teams in this section took turns beating up on each other. Not one of the seven teams in this grouping was winless in sectional match-ups. The Eagles’ 5-4 sectional record was similar to Wayzata (5-3-1) and Minnetonka (5-5) in the all important games this year. Holy Family Catholic led all teams with 17 wins on the season and was 3-2-1 in Section 6AA matchups. The seventh seeded Armstrong/Cooper Wings defeated the #2 seed Minnetonka Skippers this year illustrating that this section is the most wide-open of any in the two classes of boy’s hockey. It has been the play of the Eden Prairie Eagles down the stretch that has stood out among the rest. While they lost to Edina in the final game of the season the Eagles had won five straight and six of seven prior to that. Where Benilde-St. Margaret’s and Hopkins pans out is anyone’s guess as both teams are capable of winning the tournament as well. All teams have had peaks and valleys this year and any team is capable of a run. At this point, Eden Prairie will get the nod as the team that is playing the best defensively of the seven teams and has the offensive skill to finish on the big sheet of Mariucci Arena in the final. MNHockeyMag.com predicts: Eden Prairie

Section 5AA

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)
1. Blaine (19-5-1)   10   (1- 2000)
2. Anoka (16-7-2)   5 (1-2003)
3. Centennial (15-9-1)   3 (1- 2004)
4. Maple Grove (12-13-0) 1 (0)
5. Osseo (13-10-2)   1 (0)
6. Champlin Park (7-17-1)   1 (0)
7. Rogers (10-14-1)   None
8. Coon Rapids (4-20-1)   None

Preview
The Blaine Bengals opened the season 6-5 and finished the season with a sizzling 13-0-1 run. The Bengals have found their game under new head coach Chris Carroll and have found balance in their offensive game. Blaine will have some issues in front of them with the resurgent Anoka Tornadoes who earned a win and a tie against the Bengals. They have identical 7-3-1 records in sectional games and it makes one wonder, why have head-to-head or does it play into the voting if Anoka was the two seed. A run to the state tournament is not guaranteed for Blaine and Anoka with the likes of Centennial, Maple Grove, and Osseo providing the potential upsets along the way. The section final should come down to Anoka and Blaine. The Tornadoes sport an 8-0-2 record of their own over the last ten games. Can Anoka play the Bengals for the third time this year and not lose is the question. MNHockeyMag.com predicts: Blaine (in overtime)

Section 4

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)
1. Hill-Murray (18-7-0)   26 (3 – 1980, 1991, 2008)
2. White Bear Lake (20-5-0)   19 (0)
3. Stillwater (17-8-0)   1 (0)
4. Roseville Area (15-10-0)   3 (0)
5. Mounds View (12-10-3)   5 (0)
6. Tartan (12-12-1)   2 (0)
7. Irondale (3-19-3)   3 (0)
8. North St. Paul (4-21-0)   4 (0)

Preview
Last year, the Stillwater Ponies stopped the Hill-Murray Pioneers to advance to their first ever boys hockey state tournament. The Ponies followed up their impressive 2014 season with a 17 win campaign and that was only good enough for the third seed this year. The Pioneers are focused to return to the state tournament for the 27th time in school history and there is another team that has been fantastic all year in White Bear Lake. Add to that mix a hard-to-play-against Tartan Titan team that, at the sixth seed, is a tough opening round opponent for the defending section champs in Stillwater. Roseville does not allow a lot of goals against and has a great first round matchup with Mounds View, another team that can pull upsets throughout the bracket. This bracket rivals the Section 6AA for teams that can beat anyone at any point of the sectional tournament. It still appears as though the finals are destined to set up with White Bear Lake battling Hill-Murray for the right to head to St. Paul. Their contest on Jan. 31 was a classic that saw the Pioneers win 2-1 at the Vadnais Sports Center. White Bear Lake has been shutdown defensively allowing just 38 goals against which is third fewest in Class 2A hockey to #1 Lakeville North (34) and Bemidji (35). Based on that, the Bears have the goods to get it done this year. MNHockeyMag.com predicts: White Bear Lake (in overtime)

Section 3AA

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)
1. St. Thomas Academy (21-4-0)   8 (5 – 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012. 2013)
2. Cretin-Derham Hall (14-6-5) 3 (1 – 2006)
3. Eastview (12-12-1)   2   (0)
4. Rosemount (11-14-0) 1 (0)
5. East Ridge (8-14-3)   None
6. Eagan (7-17-1)   4 (0)
7. Woodbury (9-13-3)   2 (0)
8. Hastings (8-15-2) 6 (0)
9. Apple Valley (5-19-1) 5 (1- 1996)
10. Park (2-22-1) None

Preview
Viewed as a potential two-horse race between the St. Thomas Academy Cadets and the Cretin-Derham Hall Raiders, there are plenty of battle tested teams from the South Suburban, Metro East, and Suburban East Conferences that make up this crowded section of ten teams. St. Thomas Academy and Cretin-Derham hall are the only teams that are over .500 in the section and if they earn their way to the final will skate in a rematch from earlier this year. The Cadets won that game 5-2 on Jan. 27 and were ranked in the top three of the MNHockeyMag.com top ten most of the season making the transition from Class 1A to Class 2A seamless in just two seasons. The Cadets will be looking to make their first tournament appearance since moving up to the Class 2A. Meanwhile, the Raiders have not been to St. Paul since 2009 and have been in the top ten of the MNHockeyMag.com top ten the second half of the season earning that on the strength of an impressive winning streak. The bitter rivalry and subsequent skill both teams have could set up one of the most entertaining section finals this year and it will play out on Ridder Arena ice. The Eastview Lightning, Rosemount Irish, and East Ridge Raptors have the ability to surprise some teams along the way. The Cadets were in the position last season to represent their section and were stopped short by Eagan in the section final allowing for that potential to play out again this season. MNHockeyMag.com predicts: Cretin-Derham Hall

Section 2AA

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)
1. Edina (22-1-2)   36 (12 – 1969, 71, 74, 78, 79, 82, 84, 88, 97, 2010, 13, 14)
2. Prior Lake (16-8-1)   None
3. Burnsville (13-10-2)   8 (2 – 1985, 1986)
4. Bloomington Jefferson (13-10-2) 16 (5 – 1981, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994)
5. Academy of Holy Angels (15-10-0)   5 (2 – 2002, 2005)
6. Chanhassen (7-13-5)   None
7. Shakopee (3-21-1)   1 (0)

Preview
Led by Edina’s 12 state titles, this section has plenty to boast about as the seven teams have combined for 21 state championships and over the years. This is Edina’s section to lose and with their staggering 22-1-2 record, the Hornets have not lost since December 4th. Edina is 19-1-2 against teams that have been ranked in the MNHockeyMag.com top ten at some point this season. Edina did not race through a cupcake schedule and are in a position for the first three-peat since the legendary Bloomington Jefferson teams of 1992-1994. This team has not been spoken of in the legendary regard but the discussion points should begin as the tournament looms. This could be the best batch of Edina teams in its history. Will Prior Lake, Burnsville, Bloomington Jefferson, or the Academy of Holy Angels have anything for the Hornets who need to win just two games to advance to St. Paul? It is possible, but highly doubtful this year. MNHockeyMag.com predicts: Edina

Section 1AA

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)
1. Lakeville North (25-0-0)   8   (0) – 3 trips as Lakeville
2. Lakeville South (14-10-1)   5 (0) – 3 trips as Lakeville
3. Farmington (17-7-1)   2 (0)
4. Rochester Mayo (16-8-1)   11 (0) – 4 trips as Rochester
5. Rochester Century (15-7-3)   7 (0) 4 trips as Rochester
6. Rochester John Marshall (13-12-0)   10 (1- 1977) 4 trips as Rochester
7. Owatonna (11-12-2)   1 (0)
8. Dodge County (7-17-0)   None

Preview
The Lakeville North Panthers have been the talk of the 2014-2015 season and for good reason. They waltzed through the regular season with a perfect record and have their sights on a return to the state final. Standing in their way is cross-town rival Lakeville South and fellow South Suburban conference opponent Farmington. Consider they have allowed a league leading 34 goals against in 25 games this season with five of those allowed in their season opening 6-5 overtime win against Farmington. That is what the Panther opponents should be concerned about than the offensive capabilities of the deep and talented Panther roster. The trio of Rochester teams have all delivered winning records this season making for some great parity in the Section 1AA. It is fair to say, like Edina in the Section 2AA, it will be Lakeville North’s to lose. MNHockeyMag.com predicts: Lakeville North

The post Class 2A Boys Section Previews appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Class 1A Boys Section Previews

Tim Kolehmainen — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 22:58:58 +0000

Hermantown’s Wyatt Aamodt skating up ice in last year’s Class 1A state quarterfinals against Luverne. (MHM Photo / Tim Kolehmainen)

Tim Kolehmainen breaks down the Class 1A boys’ section matchups

Section 1A

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)

1. New Prague (17-8-0) — 1
2. Mankato West (17-6-2) — 1
3. Northfield (14-9-2)
4. Faribault (17-7-1) — 1
5. LeSueur-Henderson/St. Peter (18-7-0)
6. Red Wing (7-17-1) — 6 (1997)
7. Albert Lea (11-14-0) — 3
8. Rochester Lourdes (5-18-2) — 9
9. Mankato East (12-13-0) — 1
10. La Crescent (19-6-0)
11. Waseca (13-11-1)
12. Winona (4-21-0) — 1
13. Austin (3-21-1) — 2

Through the first month of the season, it appeared as if defending Section 1A champion New Prague was a shoe-in to make the state tourney again. But since their opening seven-game winning streak, the Trojans are barely over .500 (9-8-0), appearing to toss the section into a complete dogfight. Ah, but looking a little closer, the Trojans are 6-0-0 in section games, including a 6-0 victory over No. 2 seed Mankato West. New Prague is a veteran team anchored by goaltender Conner Wagner (16-8-0, 2.14, .913) and leading scorer Alex Gregor (28-20-48), two players with state tournament experience.

Even with New Prague the favorite, this is one section that could be rife with upsets, as it appears as many as seven or eight teams could realistically contend. Even No. 8 seed Rochester Lourdes, which is winless in five section games (0-5-1), is in the mix. The Eagles have lost those games by a combined five goals including a pair of one-goal losses to New Prague.

MN Hockey Mag predicts: New Prague

Section 2A

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)

Breck (17-7-1) — 10 (2000, 2004, 2009, 2010)
Delano (21-4-0)
Orono (15-9-1) — 8
Bloomington Kennedy (17-8-0) — 7 (1987)
Blake (8-16-1) — 5
Minneapolis (13-11-1) — 41 (1970)
St. Louis Park (8-14-3) — 6
Chaska (12-13-0)
Waconia (6-16-3)
Mound-Westonka (8-16-1) — 2
Richfield (2-21-0) — 6

Breck has won the last five of the last six Section 2A tournaments, twice claiming the state title, and is the clear bully on the block. But the Mustangs were upset by Orono in last year’s section final and will have their hands full with the Spartans and rising Delano, who earned the No. 3 and No. 2 seeds, respectively. This isn’t the same high-flying Mustangs team of past years, but they do allow just 1.40 goals per game on average, with Stephen Headrick (18-7-0, 1.32, .931) playing every minute of every game this winter. They’ll be tough to dent offensively.

Delano claimed the Wright County Conference title over Class 2A Holy Family Catholic, Orono, and Section 1A top seed New Prague, so the Tigers are tested. Delano is balanced, as sophomore Ben Meyers (18-31-49) leads seven players with at least 12 goals. A Jan. 29 loss to Holy Family is the only blemish in a 13-1-0 stretch since the holidays. Orono started slowly, losing its first four games, but has gotten hot down the home stretch, led by veteran goaltender Jon Flakne (15-9-1, 2.27, .919). He came up huge in last year’s upset of Breck and is again capable of leading the Spartans to state.

MN Hockey Mag predicts: Delano

Section 3A

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)

Luverne (21-4-0) — 1
Hutchinson (14-9-1) — 4
New Ulm (15-8-2) — 4
Marshall (15-9-1) — 1
Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato (9-14-2) — 2
Willmar (5-20-0) — 1
Morris/Benson Area (9-16-0)
Redwood Valley (9-14-0)
Windom Area (7-18-0)
Fairmont (5-16-1)
Worthington (2-19-1)

Last year, Luverne blitzed through the regular season and section tournament unbeaten, getting plenty of press in the process. The Cardinals were again expected to be rolling this winter, but a handful of losses along the way have quieted the hubbub surrounding the high-scoring program. Still, the Cardinals earned the No. 1 seed and the respect of section coaches, but the gap may be narrower with No. 2 Hutchinson, No. 3 New Ulm and No. 4 Marshall all in the mix. The third-seeded Eagles just upset Luverne two weeks ago, 5-2, but finished two games behind the Cardinals in the Big South Conference race. Hutchinson earned the No. 2 seed, but has lost six of its last eight games, including big losses to Holy Family Catholic and New Prague in the last week. The Tigers are tough, but momentum is not on their side.

It’s tough to match the firepower of the Cardinals. Junior Chaz Smedsrud (33-59-92) and freshman Jaxon Nelson (41-42-83) are two of the top scorers in the state. Luverne is a young team, though, and that inexperience could come into play in the tournament.

MN Hockey Mag predicts: Luverne

Section 4A

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)

Mahtomedi (21-2-2) — 7
St. Paul Academy (21-4-0)
St. Paul Johnson (14-8-2) — 22 (1947, 1953, 1955, 1963)
South St. Paul (14-11-0) — 28
Totino-Grace (8-16-1) — 5 (2002)
Minnehaha Academy (16-8-1)
Simley (10-12-3) — 2
Henry Sibley (8-17-0) — 8
St. Paul Como Park (16-8-0) — 10
St. Paul Highland Park (5-18-0)

No longer the playground of St. Thomas Academy, it now appears as if Section 4A is in the capable hands of the program that gave the Cadets the most trouble the last decade — Mahtomedi. The Zephyrs split with top-10 Class 2A powers St. Thomas Academy and Hill-Murray this winter, their only two losses in 25 games. Since losing to the Cadets on Jan. 8, 8-1, coach Jeff Poeschl’s team has gone 10-0-1, avenging both of its losses. The Zephyrs are deep and balanced, with junior Jack Becker (22-26-48) leading seven players with double-digit goals and 11 with at least 11 points.

St. Paul Academy looked like the team best positioned to knock off Mahtomedi, but coach Bill Owens stepped down on the eve of the section tournament. How the young Spartans respond to that adversity will be key to their playoff hopes. Defending section champion Totino-Grace was hit hard by graduation, earning the No. 5 seed behind No. 3 St. Paul Johnson and No. 4 South St. Paul, two storied programs that haven’t had many state berths in recent decades.

MN Hockey Mag predicts: Mahtomedi

Section 5A

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)

Spring Lake Park (13-11-1)
Chisago Lakes (8-15-2) — 2
Princeton (11-12-2) — 2
Mora/Hinckley-Finlayson (13-11-1) — 2
Providence Academy (6-18-1)
Legacy Christian (12-13-0)
Proctor (9-16-0) — 1
Pine City/Rush City (10-15-0)
Moose Lake Area (8-17-0)
North Branch (5-20-0)

Despite ending the season on a six-game winless skid (0-5-1), Spring Lake Park earned the top seed in the Section 5A playoffs. It’s a sign of the tough schedule the Panthers faced, as they moved into the Class 2A-heavy Northwest Suburban Conference for the first time this winter. Even in defeat, coach Tom Benson’s team played their bigger neighbors toe-to-toe — and a 4-0-0 section record sealed the deal. The Panthers have a veteran goaltender in Aaron Furlano (13-10-1, 3.26, .898) and high-scoring Jacob Nystrom (25-23-48) and Deven Sunell (19-25-44) to lead the way. Spring Lake Park has played the toughest schedule and it should pay off in the playoffs.

Only one other team in the section had an above .500 record (No. 4 seed Mora/Hinckley-Finlayson), and the defending champion and No. 2 seed (Chisago Lakes) was just 8-15-2.

MN Hockey Mag predicts: Spring Lake Park

Section 6A

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)

Alexandria (21-3-1) — 4
St. Cloud Cathedral (13-11-1) — 6
Fergus Falls (17-5-3) — 7
St. Cloud Apollo (19-4-2) — 2
Sartell-St. Stephen (17-6-2)
Sauk Rapids-Rice (10-14-2) — 1
Little Falls (13-12-1) — 6
Northern Lakes (11-15-0)
Wadena-Deer Creek (7-19-0) — 2
Prairie Centre (5-21-0)
Breckenridge/Wahpeton (2-16-0)

Section 6A could be a wild one this year, as eight programs won at least 10 games this year, four have been ranked in the top-10 at one point or another and perhaps most importantly, even a dominant Alexandria team has suffered a few defeats to its section rivals. The Cardinals started the year with a 15-0-1 run, vaulting into the Class 1A top-10 rankings. But then came a few stumbles in the final month, losing to No. 3 seed Fergus Falls and a shocking 2-1 loss to No. 6 seed Sauk Rapids-Rice in its final regular season game last Thursday.

That should be a clear signal that any number of teams could emerge from the tourney, including defending champion and No. 2 seed St. Cloud Cathedral, No. 4 seed St. Cloud Apollo (which tied and lost by a goal to Alexandria in their two meetings) and Fergus Falls, which is looking for its first state tournament bid since a run of seven straight in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

There could be upsets galore, but Alexandria should cap its best regular season in years with a state berth. The Cardinals are a veteran team, with 15 seniors who have been pointing towards this season. A strong defensive team, Alexandria allows just 1.68 goals per game.

MN Hockey Mag predicts: Alexandria

Section 7A

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)

Hermantown (22-2-1) — 11 (2007)
Duluth Marshall (17-5-3) — 7
Duluth Denfeld (18-7-0) — 5
Hibbing/Chisholm (14-8-3) — 13 (1952, 1973)
Greenway (11-14-0) — 9 (1967, 1968, 1992)
Eveleth-Gilbert (11-12-2) — 15 (1945, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1993, 1998)
North Shore (13-11-0) — 1
Virginia/MIB (8-17-0) — 3
International Falls (4-21-0) — 19 (1957, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1972, 1995)
Ely (5-16-0)

It’s beyond discussion. Section 7A is the deepest Class 1A field in the state this year, as three teams are in our top-10 rankings (No. 1 seed Hermantown, No. 2 Duluth Marshall and No. 3 Duluth Denfeld) and Hibbing/Chisholm is on the cusp of that honor. Historically, the section’s power is evident, as well. Nine of the 10 schools have qualified for state in their history and five different programs have combined for 18 state titles.

Hermantown has one of those state titles in its pocket (2007), but is even more famous for its five consecutive — and counting? — runner-up finishes in the Class 1A state tournament. Coach Bruce Plante has kept his powerhouse program rolling through graduation losses and is a favorite to get back into the state final for a sixth straight year. It’s plug-and-play time for the Hawks, who turned to Luke Olson (19-1-1, 1.63, .927) in goal with great results. Ryan Kero (24-34-58) and Nate Pionk (28-26-54) lead the potent Hawks’ offense.

Duluth Marshall has slowed since a season-opening 10-game winning streak, but has a veteran goaltender in Alex Murray (13-5-2, 1.69, .927). Duluth Denfeld is also strong defensively with senior Nick Thompson (13-31-44) leading the Hunters in scoring from the blue line.

MN Hockey Mag predicts: Hermantown

Section 8A

Official seeding (record) — state trips (titles)

East Grand Forks (20-4-0) — 9 (2014)
Thief River Falls (12-13-0) — 12 (1954, 1956)
Warroad (12-12-2) — 21 (1994, 1996, 2003, 2005)
Detroit Lakes (18-5-2) — 2
Kittson Central (17-8-0)
Crookston (13-12-1)
Lake of the Woods (9-15-0) — 4
Park Rapids (11-14-0)
Red Lake Falls (13-11-1)
Bagley/Fosston (2-18-0)

The more things change, the more they stay the same up in Section 8A. The top three seeds are all in familiar position, with defending Class 1A state champion East Grand Forks earning the No. 1 seed ahead of No. 2 Thief River Falls and No. 3 Warroad. One of that trio has been the state representative from the northwest for the past 21 years, winning five state titles.

But this isn’t like any other year.

Injuries and graduation have dogged Warroad and Thief River Falls, knocking both programs down to .500 this winter. Without health, both are capable of getting knocked out by teams such as No. 4 seed Detroit Lakes, No. 5 Kittson Central and No. 6 Crookston, each of whom finished over .500. Each has some top-end talent that can take over games, such as the Lakers’ Jon Richards (32-35-67) and Ryan DeConcini (35-29-64), the Bearcats’ Dalton Klegstad (34-40-74) and Billy Thorsteinson (36-25-61), and Crookston’s Doug Larson (30-27-57).

In the end, though, it should come down to the old warhorses.

MN Hockey Mag predicts: East Grand Forks

The post Class 1A Boys Section Previews appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

MHM Class A Boys Hockey Section Preview

Pete Waggoner — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 16:44:16 +0000

The MNHockeyMag breaks down each of the sections in the Class A as the boys sectional tournaments are underway.

Section 1A
1. New Prague (18-4-3)
2. Mankato West (23-2-0)
3. Rochester Lourdes (8-18-1)
4. Albert Lea (14-10-1)
5. Northfield (10-14-1)
6. Faribault (11-11-1)
7. Le Seur-Henderson/St. Peter (15-7-2)
8. La Crescent (16-5-4)
9. Red Wing (3-22-0)
10. Mankato East/Loyola (8-17-0)
11. Austin (3-21-1)
12. Winona (3-20-2)
13. Waseca (6-15-1)

Outlook: The largest section in all of boys hockey from either class is one of the most difficult to analyze. What is given is that the New Prague Trojans finished 8-0 in Section 1A games and finished second behind Section 1AA’s Farmington in the Missota Conference. The Mankato West Scarlets lost just two games this season which were back-to-back on December 28th and January 4th. The first loss was to Notre Dame Academy in overtime by a score of 3-2 and the second was to New Prague by a score of 2-1. The Scarlets posted a 13-1 recored in Section 1A play and were perfect in winning the Big 9 Conference with an 18-0 record. West lit it up offensively with 152 goals and have been down right filthy defensively in allowing just 32 goals against. Interestingly, the Rochester Lourdes Eagles captured the third seed with an 8-18-1 record while grinding through a tough independent schedule. The Eagles are on a run of five straight State Tournament appearances and will have their work cut out for them to make it six straight. Albert Lea had a solid Big 9 season and finishing fourth in the conference. Ten teams begin play on Tuesday for the right to move on and play the top four seeds in the Section 1A quarterfinals. MNHockeyMag Predicts: Mankato West over New Prague

Section 2A
1. Breck School (19-5-1)
2. Orono (16-8-1)
3. Bloomington Kennedy (12-11-2)
4. Delano/Rockford (14-10-1)
5. Blake School (15-10-0)
6. Mound-Westonka (12-11-2)
7. Chaska (10-13-2)
8. St. Louis Park (9-14-2)
9. Waconia (9-15-1)
10. Minneapolis (8-15-1)
11. Richfield (10-15-0)

Outlook: Not many sections have the 11th seeded team with10 wins and that is a statement for the Section 2A as Richfield pulls in with the last spot but had a productive regular season. The section championship has gone to the Breck School each of the last 5 seasons and the previous three titles were earned by the Blake school totaling the last 8 by those programs. This season will provide a stiff challenge for the Breck Mustangs as the disciplined Orono Spartans, the deep Bloomington Kennedy Eagles, and the defensively sound Delano/Rockford Tigers are all legitimate title contenders and can beat anyone on any given day. Breck (5-0-0), Orono (6-3-0), Bloomington Kennedy (4-1-1), Delano (5-5-0) and Mound-Westonka (4-2-1) pace the way with the best section 2A records. The MNHockeyMag Predicts: Breck over Bloomington Kennedy

Section 3A
1. Luverne (24-0-1)
2. New Ulm (15-10-0)
3. Willmar (11-12-1)
4. Hutchinson (10-13-1)
5. Marshall (12-12-0)
6. Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato (5-18-1)
7. Windom Area (9-13-1)
8. Morris/Benson Area (8-16-1)
9. Fairmont (3-19-1)
10. Redwood Valley (4-14-0)
11. Worthington (2-16-0)

Outlook: What more can be said about the Luverne Cardinals? At 24-0-1 they own the only unbeaten record in Minnesota High School hockey. The Cards have scored a league best 183 goals and allowed a league low 29 against while decimating their opponents, many in the Section 3A. This team was first on the MNHockeyMag radar a couple of months back and they are not only talented but young. Luverne has balance between seniors all the way down to the eighth grader Jaxon Nelson (25g-27a-52pts). The competition for the Section title will come from New Ulm, Willmar, Hutchinson, and Marshall. Luverne’s 15-0 section record suggests it will be difficult for anyone to deny the Cardinals a spot in St. Paul this year. MNHockeyMag Predicts: Luverne over New Ulm

Section 4A
1. Totino Grace (14-10-1)
2. Mahtomedi (14-10-0)
3. St. Paul Academy (17-8-0)
4. South St. Paul (10-14-1)
5. Minnehaha Academy (12-12-0)
6. Simley (10-14-0)
7. Acheiver Academy (16-7-2)
8. Henry Sibley (5-18-2)
10. St. Paul Johnson (4-19-2)
11. St. Paul Highland Park (1-22-1)

Outlook: Gone is St. Thomas Academy to the Class AA and for the first time in three seasons a new Section 4A and State Championship team will be crowned with their departure. Leading the way for the Section 4A is a trio of teams that could be considered legitimate title contenders. The Totino-Grace Eagles finished 8-0 in the North Suburban Conference and only played two Section 4A games this season finishing 1-1. The Mahtomedi Zephyrs posted a 6-1 section record, and in head to head games, the Zephyrs topped Totino-Grace 4-3 and lost to the St. Paul Academy Spartans by a score of 3-2. The Spartans were an impressive 8-1 in section games. South St. Paul and Minnehaha Academy have a chance to make things interesting in the 4A this season. MNHockeyMag Predicts: Mahtomedi over Totino-Grace

Section 5A
1. Chisago Lakes Area (16-8-0)
2. Princeton (13-11-0)
3. Spring Lake Park (18-7-0)
4. Proctor (7-18-0)
5. Providence Academy (6-19-0)
6. Mora/Hinckley-Finlayson (15-9-1)
7. Legacy Christian (11-12-0)
8. Pine City/Rush City (5-19-0)
9. North Branch (3-20-0)
10. Moose Lake Area (5-18-0)

Outlook: An overhaul of Section 5A saw perennial Section 5A champion Hermantown return to the Section 7A, Rogers moved up to Class AA, and St. Cloud Cathedral was shifted to the geographically friendly Section 6A. It opened up opportunities for a number of teams. Chisago Lakes holds down the top seed and finished with a 6-0 record in section games. Their 8-3 conference record was good for third place in the Mississippi 8 conference. Princeton finished 6th in the Mississippi 8 and were 5-2 in Section 5A games. Two losses against Chisago Lakes (8-2) and (3-2) represent their only two losses in the section. The Spring Lake Park Panthers have the most wins of any team in the section with 18 during the regular season and are 3-2 in section play. The Panther section losses were to Chisago Lakes (5-2) and Princeton (5-3). MNHockeyMag Predicts: Chisago Lakes over Spring Lake Park

Section 6A
1. St. Cloud Cathedral (16-7-1)
2. Alexandria (16-5-3)
3. St. Cloud Apollo (15-10-0)
4. Sauk Rapids-Rice (17-8-0)
5. Sartell-St. Stephen (12-12-1)
6. Fergus Falls (9-13-1)
7. Prairie Center Area (15-10-0)
8. Little Falls (3-20-2)
9. Northern Lakes (9-16-0)
10. Wadena-Deer Creek (4-20-1)
11. Breckenridge/Wahpeton (3-13-2)

Outlook: The top four teams, St. Cloud Cathedral, Alexandria, St. Cloud Apollo, and Sauk Rapids-Rice have the potential to earn the Section 6A title. Like many other sections, the balance on the top end of the 6A is impressive. Each of the top four seeds won between 15-17 games on the season including earning between 7 and 8 sectional wins this year. Each of the four team’s schedules are difficult this year as well and that is not to say Sartell-St. Stephen, Fergus Falls, or Prairie Center Area won’t have a say in their games with the top four. When teams are close, it usually comes down to who can keep the puck out of the net. Alexandria had the most success in the regular season allowing just 46 against yet Cathedral (57), Apollo (58), and Sauk Rapids-Rice (61) are right in the same defensive mix. Cathedral went through a swoon of losing 6 out of 7 games including a pair of one goal games in the Granite City Showcase to Sauk Rapids-Rice and Sartell-St. Stephen and then rebounded to go on a nine game unbeaten string (8-0-1). Like all teams in this section they took turns beating each other making calling a winner very difficult. MnHockeyMag Predicts: St. Cloud Cathedral over Alexandria

Section 7A
1. Hermantown (19-4-2)
2. Duluth Marshall (16-8-1)
3. Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl (17-7-1)
4. Duluth Denfeld (13-10-2)
5. Hibbing/Chisholm (10-13-1)
6. Eveleth-Gilbert (14-10-1)
7. North Sore (14-9-2)
8. International Falls (6-17-1)
9. Greenway (6-16-3)
10. Ely/Northeast Range (1-17-0)

Outlook: The Hermantown Hawks were placed back in the geographically friendly Northeastern Section 7A. That was great news for the members of the 5A as Hermantown won the last four section titles and 6 of the last 8. Things don’t get easier for the Hawks as there are legitimate challenges in this section. VMIB cleaned up on the Section in posting a 9-1-1 record and some of their wins were against the lower end of the seeded. With some solid wins this year and are back in the mix once again, the Blue Devils of Virgina/Mountain Iron-Buhl are relevant once again in section discussions. Duluth Marshall plays a difficult schedule that includes games against high end Class AA teams and they closed out the season on a 4-0 run outscoring their opponents 26-2. The Duluth Denfeld Hunters have proven they can play with anyone that included a one goal overtime loss and tie to top seeded Hermantown and a 3-2 win over number two seed Duluth Marshall. They lost to VMIB in their fifth game of the season which plummeted their record to 1-4 and since have closed with a 6-2-2 record including a 4-0-1 record in their last five. That leaves the top seeded Hawks who are playoff tested and know the drill of one and done. With just four losses on the season that included a difficult schedule, the Hawks are the favorites to represent the section. As the results have dictated, anything can happen with these teams. MNHockeyMag Predicts: Hermantwon over Duluth Marshall

Section 8A
1. East Grand Forks (22-2-1)
2. Warroad (20-4-1)
3. Thief River Falls (14-10-1)
4. Kittson Central (16-5-2)
5. Detroit Lakes (16-7-1)
6. Park Rapids Area (17-6-3)
7. Crookston (6-15-4)
8. Lake of the Woods (5-17-3)
9. Bagley/Fosston (2-20-0)

Outlook: The East Grand Forks Green Wave have been dominant this season, particularly in their defensive zone where six returning defensemen from last year’s state tournament qualifier have made them nearly impenetrable. Currently, the Green Wave are on a 14-game winning streak and have not given up more than two goals against during that stretch. With nine shutouts on the season and only 30 goals against in 25 games, they have the key elements to not only win the section but the State Tournament. Their only resounding loss (at Breck) came a day after defeating then #1AA Blaine the night before. But it won’t be as easy as it sounds. A major road-block for the Green Wave is the Warroad Warriors who have the offensive flair to challenge the stifling defensive brand of the Green Wave. The Warriors have tallied 142 goals, many off the sticks of the state’s top three point producers in Kobe Roth (40g-45a-85pts), Jared Bethune (31g-53a-84pts), and Kyle Sylvester (36g-47a-83pts). That trio will see a ton of ice time throughout the playoffs and make the Warriors the most dangerous two seed in the state. Don’t count out annually strong Thief River Falls, who under coach Tim Bergland also pose a threat to represent the section. Still, it’s tough to go against the defending section champs. MNHockeyMag Predicts: East Grand Forks over Warroad

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