Class A QF: Luverne vs. #1 Hermantown

[karl(east)]

LUVERNE VS. #1 HERMANTOWN
6:00 Wednesday
-Luverne draws the short stick and gets saddled with Hermantown in the first round. These two met at State in Luverne’s 2014 visit, and while Hermantown won 6-3, it was closer than expected.

Luverne (22-5-1, #20, 1-seed in 3A)
State appearances: 2 (first in 2014)
Key section win: 5-1 over 2-seed Marshall
-The Cardinals are back in the Tourney after failing to make it with some top end talent the past two seasons. Junior Kasyn Kruse (14) is their star, and they have a bunch of respectable offensive options beyond him, including Nick Harder (9), Ben Serie (15), Jesse Reed (24), and Declan Beers (4). Kaden Erickson (1) has stabilized a goaltending position that was an issue for them in recent years. If St. Cloud Cathedral loses its semifinal, they could get themselves an interesting consolation round game against their former coach, Derrick Brown.

Hermantown (26-1-1, #1, 1-seed in 7A)
State appearances: 14 (8 in a row)
State championships: 2 (2007, 2016)
Key section win: 5-1 over #9 Greenway
-The Hawks have been as dominant as any team in the state this season, and enter the Tourney on a 26-game winning streak, and a 31-game streak against Class A competition dating to the 2015 championship game. This team has more front-end talent than any in Hermantown history, as Mankato recruit and Mr. Hockey finalist Ryan Sandelin (11) teams up with Jesse Jacques (8) on the top line, and Tyler Watkins (18) and Matt Valure (4) lead the second. Dylan Samberg (12), a UMD recruit and Mr. Hockey finalist, anchors the blue line, and has some quality company in Parker Simmons (13), Elliott Peterson (22), and Darian Gotz (14). Cade McEwen (35) is a Brimsek finalist in goal. If there’s a shortcoming, it’s that this team isn’t nearly as deep as last year’s state champs, though they are still deeper than anyone else in this field. Anything short of a championship will be stunning.

[kniven]

Hermantown will win. That's all....

[Sparlimb]

What does it mean when the poll is Hawks vs Cardinals and I don't know which is which. I'm taking Luverne and Shirley in the biggest upset in Class A history.

[kniven]

What does it mean when the poll is Hawks vs Cardinals and I don't know which is which. I'm taking Luverne and Shirley in the biggest upset in Class A history.

Everybody and their brother is pickin Hermantown to loose in the biggest upset ever" every game they play. it won't happen. This team is buff!!!:)

[MrBoDangles]

What does it mean when the poll is Hawks vs Cardinals and I don't know which is which. I'm taking Luverne and Shirley in the biggest upset in Class A history.

They had to drop the co-op with Shirley to stay in class A.. They mixed like "cola and milk" when together..

Geez I'm getting old

[Whiner33]

What does it mean when the poll is Hawks vs Cardinals and I don't know which is which. I'm taking Luverne and Shirley in the biggest upset in Class A history.

They had to drop the co-op with Shirley to stay in class A.. They mixed like "cola and milk" when together..

Geez I'm getting old

Milk the chickens boys!!

[goldy313]

Of the 8 teams in the class A tournament, 7 come from either the 7 county metro area or from population centers of at least 70,000. The 8th is of course Luverne, population 4700.

[elliott70]

Of the 8 teams in the class A tournament, 7 come from either the 7 county metro area or from population centers of at least 70,000. The 8th is of course Luverne, population 4700.

Go Luverne.
If not them, Go Hermantown.
if not them, Go EGF.

Really, EGF a 70,000 population center?

[greenwayraider]

Of the 8 teams in the class A tournament, 7 come from either the 7 county metro area or from population centers of at least 70,000. The 8th is of course Luverne, population 4700.

Go Luverne.
If not them, Go Hermantown.
if not them, Go EGF.

Really, EGF a 70,000 population center?

I am assuming goldy313 in referring to the Grand Forks metro area which is 98,000.

[elliott70]

Of the 8 teams in the class A tournament, 7 come from either the 7 county metro area or from population centers of at least 70,000. The 8th is of course Luverne, population 4700.

Go Luverne.
If not them, Go Hermantown.
if not them, Go EGF.

Really, EGF a 70,000 population center?

I am assuming goldy313 in referring to the Grand Forks metro area which is 98,000.

I guess Goldy can spin it however he wants, but EGF is less than 10,000 and do not draw a lot from MN Polk county. They on occasion get a hockey player from out west but GF has a strong program at both high schools and players don't jump very often.

[elliott70]

Of the 8 teams in the class A tournament, 7 come from either the 7 county metro area or from population centers of at least 70,000. The 8th is of course Luverne, population 4700.

Rock County MN 10,000
Sioux Falls SD 150,000

[air force one]

East Grand Forks, pop 8,601. Ref - the sign at the edge of town.
Enrollment - 468 Ref - MSHSL website
Hemmed in pretty well by the river on the west, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo school district to the north and northeast, Crookston on the east and south east, Fisher and Climax school districts to the south.

[fastncrash]

Of the 8 teams in the class A tournament, 7 come from either the 7 county metro area or from population centers of at least 70,000. The 8th is of course Luverne, population 4700.

4752

[MrBoDangles]

Hermantown 9
Luverne 0

[RRubberbeeskit]

Of the 8 teams in the class A tournament, 7 come from either the 7 county metro area or from population centers of at least 70,000. The 8th is of course Luverne, population 4700.

Wait a minute here. What is the distance to Sioux Falls and what is the population of SF? SF pop 164676. Is Card country not somewhat of a bedroom community off of SF? EGF Green Wave pop 8602. Grand Forks ND pop 54932.
Move Luverne 100 miles due north and then how do they fair? Probably like a Morris Benson or Wadena. Location Location Location.

[blueblood]

Good luck Cards.

Germantown rolls....

[SCBlueLiner]

Of the 8 teams in the class A tournament, 7 come from either the 7 county metro area or from population centers of at least 70,000. The 8th is of course Luverne, population 4700.

Wait a minute here. What is the distance to Sioux Falls and what is the population of SF? SF pop 164676. Is Card country not somewhat of a bedroom community off of SF? EGF Green Wave pop 8602. Grand Forks ND pop 54932.
Move Luverne 100 miles due north and then how do they fair? Probably like a Morris Benson or Wadena. Location Location Location.

No, Luverne is not a bedroom community for Sioux Falls. The last bedroom community to the east is Brandon, SD. Sioux Falls hockey people are not moving to Luverne for hockey. In fact, it's the opposite, Luverne is now losing players to the AAA Jr. Stampede program.

[goldy313]

The tax laws between South Dakota and Minnesota make it so it is pretty hard to be a commuter living in Luverne and deriving your primary income from South Dakota.

Luverne to Sioux Falls 35 minutes, EGF to Grand Forks 2-5 minutes.

[elliott70]

The tax laws between South Dakota and Minnesota make it so it is pretty hard to be a commuter living in Luverne and deriving your primary income from South Dakota.

Luverne to Sioux Falls 35 minutes, EGF to Grand Forks 2-5 minutes.

Depending where you are and where you are going - 10 seconds to about 18 minutes.

Anyway, HT in running time.

[fastncrash]

The tax laws between South Dakota and Minnesota make it so it is pretty hard to be a commuter living in Luverne and deriving your primary income from South Dakota.

Luverne to Sioux Falls 35 minutes, EGF to Grand Forks 2-5 minutes.

Depending where you are and where you are going - 10 seconds to about 18 minutes.

Anyway, HT in running time.

SD = ZERO State Income Tax
MN = NO comment! ;(

[fastncrash]

Hermantown will win. That's all....

It's going to be FUN to watch!

[elliott70]

We know Hermantown is going to win.

BUT
Luverne has made HS hockey a bit more exciting.
Most of us here like the Cards.

[fastncrash]

We know Hermantown is going to win.

BUT
Luverne has made HS hockey a bit more exciting.
Most of here like the Cards.

EVERYONE knew Atlanta was going to win the Superbowl at halftime.


"That's why we have to actually PLAY the games".

[GoldyGopher]

We know Hermantown is going to win.

BUT
Luverne has made HS hockey a bit more exciting.
Most of here like the Cards.

I'm thinking the most you're referring to are all from Luverne. If you're not affiliated with the city I'm guessing a double digit goal differential is at the top of your wish list.

[InigoMontoya]

We know Hermantown is going to win.

BUT
Luverne has made HS hockey a bit more exciting.
Most of here like the Cards.

I'm thinking the most you're referring to are all from Luverne. If you're not affiliated with the city I'm guessing a double digit goal differential is at the top of your wish list.

3A came in under the radar last year and kept up with Hermantown pretty well until they ran out of gas (and Hermantown stepped on it) with about 5 left in the 2nd. 3A is all over the radar this year; I don't think Hermantown will get surprised. This game will be over early. Hermantown kids will be trying to keep pace with Delano point scorers to make the all-tourney team. Unless the loser of the #4-#5 game loses interest in the consolation bracket, the Cards could give up a couple dozen goals in a couple days.