I figured I might as well give this another shot and give my thoughts and wild-ass guesses on these games. Full DECC also had a great preview of all the games.
We'll start with Class A:
Mankato East vs. Little Falls
WAG: I think Little Falls will start the game a little faster since they played at the X last year, while East is making their first trip to the tourney. Little Falls also probably has a little more talent, but I've got a funny feeling about East's chances. Maybe I'm caught up in the hype, but they've played great hockey over the past couple games and always seem to find a way to get it done. I'll take Mankato East in a very close one, possibly in overtime.
St. Thomas Academy vs. Orono
WAG: I'm perhaps a little skeptical of Orono since they qualified for the tournament as the third seed in their bracket, but didn't face either of the higher seeded teams in their bracket. St. Thomas Academy has shown the ability to play great hockey this weekend and have already beaten Orono 4-0 earlier this year at the Schwan's Cup. I'll take the Tommies.
Duluth Marshall vs. Blake
WAG: Marshall looks to be a very good hockey team and could be one of the favorites to win the whole tournament. But I'm going to pick an upset, and say Kent Patterson steals the win for Blake.
Hermantown vs. Thief River Falls
WAG: Hermantown won the earlier meeting this year by a score of 9-0. I don't think it will be a blowout like that, but I think Hermantown will prevail. TRF forward Mike Forney will be playing in front of a ton of scouts with a chance to earn himself a first round draft pick this summer.
Hermantown vs. St. Thomas Academy
WAG: I love that STA plays a more wide-open game, but once again, I'll take Hermantown.
Mankato East vs. Blake
WAG: I think East's magic runs out here against the more talented metro area team. Blake wins easily.
Hermantown vs. Blake
WAG: I'll take Hermantown to win the whole thing.
And for Class AA
Lakeville North vs. Blaine
WAG: Lakeville has lost all three of their first round games in school history. I don't expect that to change. I think Blaine moves on.
Hill-Murray vs. Minnetonka
WAG: I really like Minnetonka's chances in this one. Emotion and momentum should play a huge role in these games and I think the Skippers have got a ton of that on their side. That said, I don't have the guys to pick against Hill-Murray. I think Hill-Murray wins in overtime.
Cretin-Derham Hall vs. Eagan
WAG: Again, Eagan is riding momentum and emotion after making their first ever state tournament, but I really like Cretin's team. I think CDH wins the game
Grand Rapids vs. Roseau
WAG: The two non-metro teams on the AA side meet in the first round. This should be a great game to cap off the day. I'll pick Roseau to win.
Hill-Murray vs. Roseau
WAG: This tournament has been Hill-Murray's to lose ever since Holy Angels faltered. I'll stick with the safe pick and take the heavy favorites.
Cretin-Derham Hall vs. Blaine
WAG: I think CDH wins in a close one.
Hill-Murray vs. Cretin-Derham Hall
WAG: Hill-Murray has already beaten CDH pretty easily this season. I don't think the pressure of a state championship will change that result.
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4 comments:
So you're going with the all-private school slate of title game, huh? ......
God forbid! Oh how I hope you're wrong.
Sean from South St. Paul
Oops, except for that whole Hermantown thing, of course .... sorry
Go Hawks then
As was Greyeagle pointed out on USCHO, I messed up on my preview, St. Thomas Academy goes by "Cadets", not Tommies.
I feel bad for TRF and Michael Forney. TRF worked their butts off and even had a lead going into the third, IIRC. Forney got injured in front of a ton of scouts. That definitely hurts.
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