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BOYS' 2016 STATE TOURNAMENT: Class A Quarterfinals Preview

02/29/2016, 12:00pm CST
By Peter Odney

Six-Time Runner-up Hermantown in Familiar Position as Tourney Favorite

Hermantown begins its quest for an elusive State title against Litchfield-Dassel/Cokato on Wednesday. Credit: YHH.

Hermantown begins its quest for an elusive State title against Litchfield-Dassel/Cokato on Wednesday. Credit: YHH.

About the only thing anyone knows for sure about this year's version of the Minnesota Boys' Hockey State Tournament is that, when all is said and done, two new winners will be crowned champions.

A wild section playoff loaded with upsets adds a bit of intrigue to this year's tournament, as the absence of several top teams in both Class A and AA has evened the playing field, making the result difficult to predict.

Hermantown was selected as the top seed in Class A while Eden Prairie was named No. 1 in Class AA. The Hawks, which last claimed a State title in 2007, have been runner-up in the small-school class for the past six consecutive seasons. Eden Prairie will look to match the success of its girls' team and claim a sweep of the girls' and boys' State crowns. The Eagles captured big-school championships in 2009 and '11.

Class A Quarterfinals

No. 2 Breck (24-3-1) vs. Mankato West (15-11-2) - Wednesday, Mar. 2, 11 a.m.

The tournament-regular Mustangs feature senior forward and Mr. Hockey nominee Chase Ellingson (36-36-72), along with a talented lineup headlined by junior defenseman Dalton Weigel (7-39-46) and senior forward Tyler Scott (21-35-56), who led the Mustangs with nine points in the Section 2A playoffs.

Senior Tyler Loe (22-25-47) and junior Kyle Looft (16-21-37) will be the focal points of the Scarlets on offense. 


No. 3 Thief River Falls (22-6-0) vs. Princeton (21-7-0) - Wednesday, Mar. 2, 1 p.m.

Thief River Falls returns for its first state tournament appearance since 2012, led by senior forward Ethan Johnson (46-19-65). Fellow senior forward Michael Johnson (16-34-60) helps supplement the Prowlers’ offense.

The Tigers are making their first trip to St. Paul since 2003, paced by junior forward Jake Carlson (16-39-55) and senior forward Tyler McAlpine (25-27-52). 

The tournament-regular Mustangs feature senior forward and Mr. Hockey nominee Chase Ellingson. Credit: Peter Odney.

The tournament-regular Mustangs feature senior forward and Mr. Hockey nominee Chase Ellingson. Credit: Peter Odney.

No. 1 Hermantown (24-2-1) vs. Litchfield-Dassel/Cokato (20-8-0) - Wednesday, 6 p.m.

Six consecutive runner-up finishes for Hermantown has culminated in a No. 1 overall seed for the Class 1A tournament. The Hawks are deep and experienced, led by senior forward Cole Koepke (35-22-57) and junior Jesse Jacques (17-34-51), who scored five goals and 13 points in three Section 7-1A games.

Senior forward David Raisanen (41-32-73) powers the offense for the Dragons, making their first tournament appearance since 2008. 


No. 4 St. Paul Academy/Summit School (23-5-0) vs. St. Cloud Cathedral (20-7-1) - Wednesday, Mar. 2, 8 p.m.

State Tournament newcomer St. Paul Academy/Summit School brings a wealth of talent to its first big dance, but will be challenged early with a formidable foe in St. Cloud Cathedral.

The Spartans are led by junior forward Matt Dahlseide (25-32-57) and senior forward Justin Jallen (23-25-48). The Crusaders have been steered all season by senior forward and captain Logan Neu (22-32-54). Junior forward Jake VanHalbeck leads the Crusaders with 23 goals and is second after Neu with 42 points. 


Quarterfinals Schedule

Class A - March 2

  • Mankato West (15-11-2) vs. No. 2 Breck School (24-3-1) — 11:00 a.m. 
  • Princeton (21-7-0) vs. No. 3 Thief River Falls (22-6-0) — 1:00 p.m.
  • Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato (20-8-0) vs. No. 1 Hermantown (24-2-1) — 6:00 p.m.
  • No. 5 St. Cloud Cathedral (20-7-1) vs. No. 4 St. Paul Academy/Summit School (23-5-0) — 8:00 p.m.


Class AA - March 3

  • Farmington (18-8-1) vs. No. 2 Stillwater (26-1-1) — 11:00 a.m.
  • Burnsville (16-10-2) vs. No. 3 Wayzata (19-8-1) — 1:00 p.m.
  • Anoka (18-9-0) vs. No. 1 Eden Prairie (19-7-2) — 6:00 p.m.
  • No. 5 Bemidji (23-2-2) vs. No. 4 Grand Rapids (21-6-1) — 8:00 p.m.

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Tag(s): State Of Hockey  News