SiouxScore

2-0

MAML strikes first 52 seconds into the 2nd.

Tied at 0 after 1 in the Class A Championship Hermantown outshooting Monticello 15-1.

In Class A Delano beats EGF 6-3 for 5th and St. Cloud Cathedral beats Northfield 2-1 for 3rd.

That is great about youth hockey but lets be honest high school is a whole different deal with some guys going to different schools, much better coaching in some places, there is much more pressure and expectations in some places. My point is you can't automatically say they could have a 50/50 game with anyone in the tourney in a one game shot because half the battle is just getting there in Minnesota. There is so much more competition that the Grand Forks teams don't get to experience because of the lack of depth in ND and that competition can grind on a team throughout the year. A big part of it is the battle of going out there and facing a good team night in and night out especially in the metro. There are good players in Grand Forks but saying because they dominate ND hockey and can compete in a few games with Minnesota teams means they could win the state championship is kind of like the way NDSU fans argue they could compete or win the Big 12 when they beat Kansas St in a one game shot. I've watched a lot of Minnesota hockey and have also seen both Central and Red River this year. Central probably would have been a top 10 team most of the year and would have had a chance to get to state but no guarantee there. I don't think Red River would have got to state but they would have been a fringe top 20ish team I'd compare Red River a little to Bemidji this year.

I know he is gonna be a Gopher but it is hard for me not to like Casey Mittelstadt. Here is a really nice note he put out after the loss last night.

No chance, wouldn't have got through Moorhead to even make the state tournament. The whole hypothetical of Central, Red River, or a combined GF team competing in Minnesota is just kind of stupid to me. One thing that really sticks out to me is there is so much more depth and talent in Minnesota hockey that the whole season is much more of a grind for a team. Come playoff time even if you are the #1 team in the state you better bring your best game or you probably won't even make your section final.

Whether you're a fan of Eden Prairie or not if you're a athlete or former athlete that shot of some of the EP guys just sitting on the bench crying a good 10 minutes after the game is over has you feeling for them as I think almost every athlete/former athlete has been in a similar spot before. It also shows you how important this is and how much these guys care about each other. Makes it easy to see why a kid might come back to high school for one more shot with the guys he grew up with even when he may have other opportunities.

What a game! That type of game is exactly why this tournament is as huge as it is it just doesn't get any better. I love the all north final but I do feel for Mittlestadt. I think he will be a great college player and eventually get to the NHL. He will have that regret that some other MN NHLers have talked about even after winning a NCAA Championship or Stanley Cup not being able to win a state championship sticks with them.

EP ties it at 2 great game so far.

Really solid effort tonight throughout the lineup. Do the same tomorrow night and get the job done.

Gersich

Hermantown wins it. Ryan Sandelin's 4th goal of the game. Cathedral was just in survival mode lots of turnovers, slapping the puck around, and standing around late in the 3rd and in OT for them.

We have Overtime. Been a great back and forth game.

Monticello scores twice in the 3rd to move onto the A Championship with a 3-2 win. Game winner was scored with 3 seconds left in regulation.

Yes I'm from Minnesota. He could also play USHL before and after high school season which would be a very good option. I believe he played a few with Sioux Falls before the season this year.

After 2 in the Class A Semis Northfield 2 Monticello 1. Big goal in the last minute of the 2nd for Monticello.

I'd be surprised and hope both him and McLaughlin play their SR year at Grand Rapids. I prefer to see every Minnesota talent stay through their SR year as it just makes the product that much better. Hard to get guys to leave a place like Grand Rapids early where hockey is everything.

Probably either fall 18 or 19. Will be a SR next year he could go USHL but I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay with Rapids next year and just play USHL before and after the season. Both him and McLaughlin had offers to play for the NTDP this year but opted to stay at Rapids.

Rapids wins 6-4. Sets up what should be a great semifinal with Eden Prairie. There will be no shortage of talent on the ice tomorrow night for that one.

I thought Huff gave him a pretty decent tug. Either way it's one play I'm not gonna put a whole lot of stock into it meaning anything about the way Hain plays the game.

He sold it but it was a hook too. I've seen much worse embellishment go uncalled.

First time watching him for me this year and he looks very good. I really hope Berry, Jackson, and Shaw are after him hard. I wouldn't be surprised to see him commit somewhere soon after the tourney.

Grand Rapids has got it rolling now. 5 unanswered goals for a 5-2 lead late in the 2nd.

Had heard a lot about him throughout the season but first time getting to watch him tonight. Maple Grove SR Sam Huff is definitely a guy I would hope we are after.