MN HS Tournament: Day 3

I talk about some potential future college players.

Friday's Results:

Duluth Marshall 3 St. Thomas Academy 2 (2OT)

Aaron Crandall played a very nice game to keep St. Thomas in the game, but Duluth Marshall defenseman Dano Jacques scored three times on slap shots from the point to move the Toppers into the final.

(NOTE: For those not familiar with the overtime format, the first overtime is only 8 minutes long, and played without resurfacing the ice. If no winner is decided, they resurface the ice and play a full period until a winner is decided.)

Hermantown 4 Warroad 3

Warroad jumped out to a 2-0 lead with two goals from Dane Shaugabay, but the Comeback Kids from Hermantown were able to erase the deficit, taking the lead in the third period and hanging on for the win. Drew Leblanc had a goal and an assist, giving him seven points in the tournament.

Roseau 3 Rochester Century 1

Century's Cinderella story comes to a close. They got off to a slow start, letting Roseau build a 2-0 lead in the first period, and were unable to come back.

Grand Rapids 4 Burnsville 3 (OT)

This was a crazy game. Rapids built a 3-0 lead, and looked in control of the game, but Burnsville scored three times in the last 3 minutes, including an extra attacker goal to send the game to overtime. The Thunderhawks were able to recover, however, and win the game in overtime.

That sets up two great championship games tomorrow. Hermantown and Duluth Marshall tied earlier this season, and they'll settle it tomorrow in the Class A title. Marshall looks like the stronger team right now, and looks to be playing a little better, but this has been the year of the public school, so I'll choose Hermantown to win.

In the Class AA final, it's a classic match-up between two historic programs. Roseau is representing the northwest part of the state, while Grand Rapids represents the Iron Range(depending on who you ask). Roseau looks like the safe pick, but Pat White and his teammates look like they are on a mission right now, so I don't think I can pick against them. One thing to note is that the Twin Cities metro area is not represented at all in these championship games. It should be a great day of hockey.