Class AA Section Preview

Section 1AA

Teams: Rochester John Marshall, Rochester Century, Rochester Mayo, Farmington, Lakeville North, Lakeville South, Owatonna, Dodge County, Northfield, Farmington

Defending Champ: Lakeville South

Favorite: Lakeville North

With a record of 14-9-1 Lakeville North is the narrow favorite in this weak section. With that being said, I believe Farmington will be the Section 1AA champ. Although Farmington’s record is just 11-11-1, as of this writing, they are 2-0 against Lakeville North this year. Their season record is a function of them underachieving more than anything else. I would contribute their underachieving to their inexperience. They are a very talented but very young team.

Spoilers: Northfield. Two words. Boland sisters.

Section 2AA

Teams: Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Shakopee, Holy Family, Prior Lake, Chaska Chan, New Prague, Jefferson

Defending Champ: EP. They have won this section 3 years in a row.

Favorite: EP

There is an outside chance that EP does not get the top seed in this section despite being the best team and having the highest ranking. Minnetonka beat EP in the first match up of the season and they play each other tomorrow. If Minnetonka wins there will be a legitimate argument to make the Skippers the top seed. With that being said I believe EP will be the champ regardless of tomorrow’s outcome.

Spoilers: Holy Family. Great goaltending. Chaska Chan. Hot. They’ve won 7 of 8 and have found a goalie who is playing well.

Section 3AA

Teams: Eagan, Rosemount, Burnsville, East Ridge, Park of Cottage Grove, Eastview, Apple Valley, Hastings

Defending Champ: Eagan

Favorite: Eagan

This should be Eagan’s year again to make a trip back to the X. They are the best team in a weak section. The Wildcats started the year with a butt whoopin’ from Wayzata then rattled off 12 in a row. But in their last 11 they have not played their best hockey and are just 7-4. One of those losses came to Burnsville. But I think Eagan’s wins it.

Spoiler: Burnsville. See above.

Section 4AA

Teams: Hill Murray, Irondale, Stillwater, Roseville, White Bear Lake, North St. Paul/Tartan, Mounds View, Woodbury

Defending Champ: Hill Murray

Favorite: Hill Murray

Hill Murray steamrolled through Section 4AA last year outscoring their opponents 23-0 in three games. The competition is weaker this year as White Bear Lake and Mounds View are both down this year. Hill should roll again.

Spoiler: White Bear Lake. Roseville. Very good goalies that can steal games.

Section 5AA

Teams: Centennial, Rogers, Champlin Park/Coon Rapids, Anoka, Blaine, Maple Grove, Spring Lake Park

Defending Champ: Centennial

Favorite: Maple Grove

Maple Grove will have its chance to see the X this year. Blaine and Centennial have had this section on lock down for a while. Blaine is down this year. Centennial lost almost all of its firepower from last season. Maple Grove has Ms. Hockey Semifinalist Mannon McMahon and Senior Goalie of the Year Semifinalist Lucy Morgan. That will be enough to make the trip to the X.

Spoiler: Champlin Park. Stingy D allowing only 1.42 goals against.

Section 6AA

Teams: Edina, Robbinsdale Armstrong, Osseo/Park Center, Hopkins/Park, Cretin Derham Hall, Wayzata, BSM, Minnehaha United, Blake

Defending Champ: Edina

Favorite: Blake

Oh boy. This section is stacked. Blake is currently ranked #1 in the state but they finish the season playing Andover (#4), Centennial (who just beat Wayzata), and Forest Lake(#3). The Bears have the best forward line in the state and the state’s best defenseman. Edina is ranked #2 in the state currently but they have not played their best hockey lately. They had to come from behind late in the game twice to beat Eden Prairie recently. Minnetonka took them the distance and they lost to Blake. The Hornets’ Katie Davis has gone cold so she needs to get her mojo back. It is a flip of the coin as to who gets the top seed. Don’t forget this section also has the #6 ranked team in the state in Wayzata and they will get the 3 seed. It is realistic to think that any of these three teams could make it out of this section but when all is said and done I believe it will be Blake.

Spoiler: BSM. Goalie Carly Greene is back and has the ability to shut teams down and steal a game.

Section 7AA

Teams: Andover, Duluth, Elk River, Cambridge, Grand Rapids, St. Francis, Forest Lake, Princeton

Defending Champ: Andover

Favorite: Forest Lake

Forest Lake should get the top seed in this section for the sole reason they beat Andover 1-0 in the only match up of the year between these two teams. Andover will be the 2 seed. It’ll be a coin flip between Elk River and Grand Rapids for the 3 seed but I think Elk River gets it. All things point to a Forest Lake vs. Andover final and I believe that Andover will make a return trip to the X.

Spoiler. Elk River. Kelsey King plays for the Elks. She scores. A LOT.

Section 8AA

Teams: Roseau, Bemidji, St. Cloud. Sartell, North Wright County, Moorhead, Brainerd, Buffalo

Defending Champ: Brainerd

Favorite: Brainerd

Brainerd is currently ranked #7. Roseau #8. Brainerd has beaten Roseau twice already this year. Therefore Brainerd will get the top seed. But it is hard to beat someone three times. I think Roseau gets payback for the heartbreaker in the section final against Brainerd from last year where Brainerd’s Ella Kalusche won it in the third OT period.

Spoiler: NWC. 165 points combined for their top line.

State Tourney Participants 2019

1AA: Farmington 2AA: Eden Prairie 3AA: Eagan 4AA: Hill Murray 5AA: Maple Grove 6AA: Blake 7AA: Andover 8AA: Roseau