In section 1A Mankato will represent at the X, we just don’t know which one yet. Mankato East used a strong 2nd period and a Matthew Salzle hat-trick to upset #1 seed Dodge County 5-3. They will face off against 2 seed Mankato West who beat Faribault 3-0. These teams squared off in January with Mankato West winning 4-3.
Section 2A finals are still pending, Orono plays Armstrong Cooper and Delano plays Breck on 02-24-2020 for a trip to the section finals.
Section 3A #1 seed Hutch rolled their way to the section finals behind 2 goals from Austin Jozwick with a 6-1 win over Luverne, and LDC responded after a slow start to upend New Ulm 7-4. Hutch & LDC played twice this year during the regular season with Hutch winning both times, can they pull it off a third time with a trip to the X on the line?
Section 4A still has 2 games to be played to determine the section finals matchup. #1 seed Mahtomedi will play 4 seed Tartan and in the biggest surprise of the section so far, the 7th seed, St. Paul Academy will play the 6th seed South Saint Paul for a trip to the section finals.
Section 5A will see the #1 seed Monticell0 face off against #3 seed Pine City area. Can Pine City avenge an early season defeat and represent at the X? Game will be on 2-27-2020 @ 7:00pm.
Section 6A will see #1 seed St. Cloud Cathedral square off against the 2 seed Alexandria. St Cloud used a strong first period to get past River Lakes 5-1. Alexandria beat Little Falls 2-0, can they stay hot and upend the preseason Class A favorite? We will find out on 2-27-2020 at 7:00.
Section 7A- Hermantown reminded us why they are a favorite to head to the the X with an 8-0 win over Eveleth, and #2 seed Duluth Denfeld continued their strong season with a 4-0 win over Greenway. They will face off on 2-26-2020 at 7:00. These two did play earlier this season with Hermantown winning.
Section 8A has #1 seed Warroad looking to be in the tourney again with a 7-0 win over Detroit Lakes and #2 seed East Grand Forks defeating Thief Rivers Falls 2-1. These teams played twice this year and Warroad won both games by 1 goal, the rematch should be a dandy.
