Section A Minnesota Highschool Hockey

Earlier this year I wrote an article on section single A hockey we are almost to the finals and I need to look at the choices I made and re-discover my thoughts.

1A Original: I am going to say that one of the Mankato teams are going to win this section . With Mankato East getting the nod over Mankato West. Albert Lea was the section winner last year and there team was week verus a dominate Warroad team, but they looked good againest the range team.

New Outlook: The Mankato teams are not doing as well as planned and it looks like last years winner Albert Lea is going to make a soild run at the section. With a record of 9- 9-0 Albert Lea is not going to make a big splash in the tournament. Also look out for Marshall with a soild record of 13-4-0.

2A Original: Duluth Marshall is going to repeat they only graduated a couple kids and there team was very soild in the tournament. Duluth Denfield might make a play at Duluth with returning there top line and a good goalie but I think Marshall will take this one.

New Outlook: Duluth Marshall is killing there opponents in the section they have to be the favorite in the section with a 15-1-1 record and they have played some tough games and some tough teams.

3A Original: Rochester Lourdes has looked good in past years and has a soild chance this year of returning. St. Thomas was last years mystery team at state you might remember Jordan Schroeder that young freshman. Redwing is returning so good scorers and could come back to the tournament with soild scorers.

New Outlook: Well I told you earlier this year this is a three team race between Red Wing 12-3-2, St. Thomas 11-4-1, and Rochester Lourdes 9-6-2. I think St. Thomas will return to state they have had the stronger schedule and conference.

4A: Little Falls and Fergus Falls have been coming to the tournament for many years this section is the worst section. Alexandria moved down from AA and looks like they might take a run at state. This section is horrible and these schools are going to battle it out for a first round exit.

New Outlook:Well I told you earlier this year this is a three team race between Alexandria 9-10-0, Little Falls 13-3-1, and Fergus Falls 9-4-2. I think Alexandria will make it to state with a tougher schedule.

5A: Blake is going to be the team to beat in this section. This section one of the competitive in the state with Breck and Grace right behind them. Grace went to state last year and lost to Warroad in the finals in overtime one of the best games in state history. St. Louis Park might be the darkhorse in this division and could have a chance to make it.

New Outlook: This is the most competitive section in the state with Blake 9-7-2, Breck 11-6-0, Totino Grace 11-6-0, and St. Louis Park 14-2-1. I like Breck in this section Blake has slowed down and looks like they have troubles this year.

6A: Another section where a AA school moved down and has the chance to go to state. Faribault moved down from AA and looks like the favorite in this section. Orono has been the state leader for many years and will give Faribault a run for his money. Mound went to state last year and they had a late run to make it to state.

New Outlook: It looks like Faribault is going to win this section they have a 12-5-1 record and still have played some big schools on the way. Orono 10-7-1 and Holy Family 10-8-2 might have a chance but look for Faribault to win this section.

7A: Another great three way battle to make it to state Virgina/Iron Mountain/Buhl the state winners last year only lost Niskaneen to UMD but returned most of there team. Hibbing is also a soild team and wants to go back to state. Hermantown is going fast and might have the best chance to upset the two big mining towns.

New Outlook: Well I told you earlier this year this is a three team race between Virgina/Mountain Iron/Buhl 15-3-0, Hibbing 9-8-0, and Hermantown 15-2-0. I think Virgina/Mountain Iron/Buhl will return to state they have had the stronger team than the others.

8A: Warroad lost a lot of talent and is going to have to work hard to win again. They are returning Marvin but they have a new goalie, new defense, and new fowards. Thief River Falls is the favorite but they have a 25 year old curse to break. They have the most talent in the section and should go to state. Lake of the Woods is the dark horse they have Beller back and players that are smart and a good Fort Francis goalie.

New Outlook: Thief River Falls is the favorite to win state at a 12-4-0 and beating Warroad 9-6-2 and East Grand Forks 6-10-1 it looks like the Prowlers will make back to state after 40 years.

So my new picks for Minnesota Boy Hockey section single A:

1. Albert Lea
2. Duluth Marshall
3. St. Thomas Academy
   
4. Alexandria
5. Breck
6. Faribault
7. Virgina/Mountain Iron/Buhl
8. Thief River Falls