The Section 3AA Championship is set for a rematch between St. Thomas Academy and Cretin-Derham Hall, with a trip to the Minnesota State Tournament on the line. These two powerhouses met earlier this season on December 21, when St. Thomas Academy took a 4-2 victory over the Raiders. Now, Cretin looks to flip the script and punch its ticket to St. Paul.
| Team | Record | Goals Per Game | Goals Against Per Game | Power Play % | Penalty Kill % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cretin-Derham Hall | 23-3-1 | 5.00 | 1.70 | 29.9% | 88.7% |
| St. Thomas Academy | 22-5-0 | 5.63 | 1.59 | 30.9% | 88.1% |
Both teams have elite offensive production and stout defensive numbers, making this a potential low scoring playoff battle.
Head Coach: Matt Funk (7th year, 106-44-4)
Last Game: 8-2 win over Rosemount (Section Semifinal)
Top Scorers:
Goaltender:
Key to Victory: Cretin’s balanced scoring attack and strong goaltending from Nelson make them a dangerous team. If Bennett, Chorlton, and Anderson can generate early chances, the Raiders can put STA on their heels.
Head Coach: Mark Strobel (1st year)
Last Game: 7-1 win over Two Rivers (Section Semifinal)
Top Scorers:
Goaltender:
Key to Victory: STA’s high-powered offense led by Rudh and Mikan will need to find a way past Nelson in net. Special teams could be crucial, as STA holds a slight edge in power play efficiency (30.9%).
Expect a tight, physical game between two well-coached teams. Cretin will be seeking revenge after their 4-2 loss earlier this season, while St. Thomas Academy looks to secure yet another state tournament appearance. With two elite goaltenders, the team that capitalizes on scoring chances and stays disciplined could walk away with the Section 3AA title.
📍 Game Info:
📅 Friday, Feb 28
🕖 7:00 PM
🏟 Braemar Arena, Edina
🔥 Follow the game and get live updates at FollowThePuck.com or follow us on Instagram
Two of Class AA’s top programs are set to battle for the Section 4AA title as Hill-Murray takes on Stillwater. The Pioneers took the regular season meeting 3-1 on January 25, but the Ponies are riding momentum after a dominant 4-0 win over White Bear Lake in the section semifinals.
| Team | Record | Goals Per Game | Goals Against Per Game | Power Play % | Penalty Kill % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hill-Murray | 24-2-1 | 6.26 | 1.52 | 27.3% | 90.8% |
| Stillwater | 21-6-0 | 5.74 | 2.22 | 31.2% | 81.5% |
Hill-Murray has been the most dominant team in Section 4AA, the beat Roseville 10-0 in their last game, while Stillwater enters with a high-powered offense that can capitalize on the power play.
Head Coach: Bill Lechner (27th season, 607 career wins)
Last Game: 10-0 win over Roseville (Section Semifinal)
Top Scorers:
Goaltender:
Key to Victory: The Pioneers’ depth and defensive structure have been their biggest strengths all season. With Hanggi anchoring the net, if Hill-Murray can establish early offensive pressure, they’ll be in good shape to return to the state tournament.
Head Coach: Greg Zanon (6th season)
Last Game: 4-0 win over White Bear Lake (Section Semifinal)
Top Scorers:
Goaltender:
Key to Victory: Stillwater’s offensive firepower and special teams play (31.2% PP) will be crucial. If Conway continues his stellar play in goal, the Ponies have a real chance to take down Hill-Murray and earn their first state tournament trip since 2016.
With two of the state’s top goalies, this could be a low-scoring, defensive battle. Hill-Murray’s experience and depth give them an edge, but if Stillwater can strike early and capitalize on special teams, an upset could be in the works.
📍 Game Info:
📅 Friday, Feb 28
🕖 7:00 PM
🏟 Aldrich Arena, Maplewood
🔥 Stay tuned for updates at FollowThePuck.com
