Defending state champions Hermantown (1A) and Wayzata (2A) return to the 2017 Minnesota State High School League state tournament Wednesday through Saturday.
A capsule look at each class:
Class A
• Monticello/Annandale/Maple Lake vs. Delano: MAML is a state tournament rookie. Senior forward Nick Zwack leads the team with 27 goals and 30 assists. He has committed to play baseball at Xavier University. Delano is another first-time state tournament entrant. The Tigers are powered by senior forward Ben Meyers, who has compiled 99 points this season. He has committed to play hockey at Maine.
• Northfield vs. Mahtomedi: Northfield has forged a path to the state tournament for the first time. The Raiders feature an attack that is most productive in the second period this season with 45 goals. Mahtomedi returns after a one-year hiatus. Senior forward Luke Posner leads the Zephyrs with 27 goals and 18 assists.
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• Luverne vs. Hermantown: Luverne returns to the 1A tournament for the second time and first since 2014. The Cardinals have allowed just 32 goals this season. Hermantown has been an annual entrant since 2010 and 14 times overall. The Hawks won the Class A championship last season for their second title overall. Hermantown has outscored the opposition, 165-35.
• St. Cloud Cathedral vs. East Grand Forks: Cathedral won the consolation title during the 2016 tournament. The Crusaders are powered by senior forward Jake Van Halbeck, who has 29 goals and 39 assists, and senior forward Michael Spethmann with 27 goals and 40 assists. East Grand Forks traveled to St. Cloud early in the season and played the Crusaders to a 4-4 tie. Senior forward Nick Lund has 23 goals and 10 assists for the Green Wave. East Grand Forks was the 1A champion in 2015.
Class 2A
• Lakeville South vs. St. Thomas Academy: Lakeville South returns to the state tournament for the third time. The Cougars are fueled by senior forward Josh Ess, who has 11 goals and 22 assists. He has committed to play at the University of Wisconsin. St. Thomas Academy, a longtime power in Class A is making its second appearance in the 2A field. The Cadets have won 12 in a row since a loss to Mahtomedi during the Metro East Conference schedule.
• Hill-Murray vs. Moorhead: This is a rematch between traditional powers, a game that Moorhead won 4-3 in the regular-season finale Feb. 18 at Moorhead. Hill-Murray upended Stillwater for the section title and a 28th trip to the state tournament. Moorhead returns for the first time since 2013 and 15th overall. The Spuds have finished second six times in the 2A field. Junior forward Carter Randklev had 30 goals and 25 assists, and junior forward Cole O'Connell has chipped in 22 goals and 28 assists.
• Wayzata vs. Eden Prairie: Wayzata, the 2016 2A champion, used two third-period goals to record a dramatic win over Edina in the Section 6 championship game to earn a shot at a title defense. The Trojans lost five of its final six regular-season games before putting on a surge in the playoffs to qualify for the state tournament for the fifth time. Not only is this a rematch of the 2016 2A championship game, it also pits the Lake Conference rivals against one another for a third time this season. Eden Prairie won the first two meetings 8-2 and 4-2, respectively. Eden Prairie earned the top seed, in part, by riding a 17-game winning streak. Senior forward Casey Mittelstadt has 21 goals and 43 assists.
• Grand Rapids vs. Maple Grove: Grand Rapids needed double overtime to get past Duluth East in the Section 7 championship game, and to earn a spot in the state tournament for the second consecutive season. Last season, the Thunderhawks placed third. Maple Grove has won nine of its past 10 games in qualifying for the state tournament for the second time and first since 2012. Senior forward Sam Huff leads the Crimson with 20 goals and 42 assists.
-- mshsl.org
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Class 1A
Wednesday, March 8
At Xcel Energy Center
Quarterfinals
Monticello/Annandale/Maple Lake (21-6-1) vs. No. 2 seed Delano (24-3-1), 11 a.m.
Northfield (20-5-3) vs. No. 3 Mahtomedi (16-11-1), 1 p.m.
Luverne (22-5-1) vs. No. 1 Hermantown (26-1-1), 6 p.m.
No. 5 St. Cloud Cathedral (20-6-2) vs. No. 4 East Grand Forks (17-8-2), 8 p.m.
Thursday, March 9
At Mariucci Arena
Consolation semifinals, 10 a.m., noon
Friday, March 10
At Xcel Energy Center
Championship semifinals, 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
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Saturday, March 11
At Mariucci Arena
Consolation final, 10 a.m.
At Xcel Energy Center
Third place, 9 a.m.
Championship, noon
CLASS 2A
Thursday, March 9
At Xcel Energy Center
Quarterfinals
Lakeville South (18-9-1) vs. No. 2 St. Thomas Academy (23-4-1), 11 a.m.
Hill-Murray (19-5-4) vs. No. 3 Moorhead (22-3-3), 1 p.m.
Wayzata (10-17-1) vs. No. 1 Eden Prairie (21-4-2), 6 p.m.
No. 5 Grand Rapids (20-7-1) vs. No. 4 Maple Grove (22-3-3), 8 p.m.
Friday, March 10
At Mariucci Arena
Consolation semifinals, 10 a.m., noon
At Xcel Energy Center
Championship semifinals, 6 p.m., 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 11
At Mariucci Arena
Consolation final, noon
At Xcel Energy Center
Third place, 4 p.m.
Championship, 7 p.m.
TV: Quarterfinals, championship semifinals and championship games in both classes will be
televised by KSTC-45TV
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Game results and box scores: Posted at www.mshsl.org
