As usual, the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament lived up to the hype. The nation’s premier prep showcase once again provided the hysteria, intensity and skill we have become accustomed to. It is difficult to find an event in the sport that matches it, including anything at the college and professional levels.

Northern Minnesota, as is generally the case, was well-represented by two outstanding teams. Both Hermantown and Duluth East continued to show why they are among the state’s best, and though neither was able to bring home a championship this time around, their style and discipline drew enormous praise from rivals, fans and media.

Two-time defending champion Hermantown’s impressive string of eight consecutive Class A title game appearances came to an abrupt halt against Alexandria in the semifinals. Despite outshooting the Cardinals by a considerable margin, the Hawks couldn’t solve a solid goaltender and a willful opponent confident in pulling off an upset. While the 6-1 final was not fully indicative of the play, Alexandria deserves great credit for capitalizing on scoring chances and playing strong team defense.

As in previous years, the debate over whether Hermantown should move up a class heated up at the state tournament. The program’s success has created many detractors, convinced the Hawks need to test the waters of AA hockey in the same manner of former perennial small-school power St. Thomas Academy. While seeing the Hawks compete at the next level would be fun, we must remember they are playing at the enrollment level assigned to them by the Minnesota State High School League, and that they have every right to do so.

Despite losing to Minnetonka in the championship game, Duluth East left no doubt they are still one of Minnesota’s elite teams. The semifinal victory over Edina, played at a scintillating pace and featuring no penalties, was a contest for the ages. Head coach Mike Randolph again brought a team to St. Paul with the ideal mix of skill and discipline, and while they came up just short of the program’s fourth state title, represented themselves extremely well.

When looking at these two heavyweights of Northern Minnesota hockey, there is only one visible flaw: They don’t play each other. There has always been rumor and hearsay as to why not:

We won’t schedule them unless they’re in our class.

They steal players from our program.

Their rink is too small.

They’re not in our conference.

They’re not in our section.

Whether these reasons are legitimate or not, the time has come for East and Hermantown to meet. It seems almost silly that these two powerhouses, whose home rinks are a mere eight miles apart, can’t get together once a year. Such a matchup would not only be a great draw locally, it would garner statewide attention as well. 

No matter the result, there is little to lose for either program or coach should they finally play each other. Both are steeped in tradition and achievement, and the result of one game each season certainly isn’t going to change that. Randolph is cemented as one of Minnesota’s all-time great coaches in any sport, while rookie helmsman Pat Andrews has the Hawks in a position where they could dominate for the next several years.

One of the biggest factors in the success of these two programs has been their willingness to take on all comers in order to improve. For years, Duluth East has traveled the state to face the very best, while Hermantown fills its schedule with difficult opponents from either class.

It’s time they finally get together.

Photos: Tim Kolehmainen