Class A SF #2 seed 7A Hermantown (26-2-1) vs #3 seed 4A Mahtomedi (21-8-0)

[ClassAGuy]

Class A Semifinal (3/10/23)
#2 Hermantown (26-2-1) vs #3 Mahtomedi (21-8-0)
11 AM @ Xcel Energy Center

Hermantown enters the semifinals on their quest to repeat as State Champions having won 14 in a row, including beating the Zephyrs on Hockey Day. The Hawks have tremendous depth and speed throughout their lineup. That was on full display when they beat Luverne in the Quarterfinals getting goals from six different players and all 4 lines in their 6-0 win.

Mahtomedi enters the semifinals surviving an upset scare from Alexandria and is on a 10 game win streak of their own. They have played a heavy AA filled schedule to prepare them for the tough test that the Hawks will offer. The Zephyrs did lose to Hermantown on Hockey Day but that was on outdoor ice. The last time these two met in the State Tournament it was Mahtomedi winning their first ever State Title avenging an earlier blowout loss to the Hawks

Both teams have excellent depth and this on paper looks like a great Class A Matchup.

Will the Hawks return to the State Title Game to defend their title or can Mahtomedi avenge the Hockey Day loss and upset the Hawks again at State?

[dherman8]

I am worried about the futures of these two programs. Sounded like several seniors in the starting lineups. How will they ever make it back next year?

[ClassAGuy]

I am worried about the futures of these two programs. Sounded like several seniors in the starting lineups. How will they ever make it back next year?

Mahtomedi was hit very hard by Hill Murray in the younger grades actually. Curious to see how that will play out for them in the coming years.

Back to the game Big Kill by by Zephyrs

[ClassAGuy]

Mahtomedi has goal waved off

[ClassAGuy]

Mahtomedi has goal waved off

Big momentum swing Zephyrs get goal taken off board and Hawks go right down and score

Hermantown leads1-0

[jeffpv]

Little controversy on that wave off, as it was very clear from the replay that goal was no good.

[ClassAGuy]

Mahtomedi answers!

Scrum in front leads to goal tie game 1-1

[Nostalgic Nerd]

Same guy scored after the disallowed.

The rink is tilted, but looks like the Mahtomedi goalie is solid.

[ClassAGuy]

BHS Class A Semifinal Game #1
#2 Hermantown 1
#3 Mahtomedi 1
End of 1st Period

Good period of hockey. Mahtomedi got huge 5 v 3 PK kill appeared to take lead. Goal waved off Hawks came on strong and took the lead. Zephyrs though answered late and we are all tied up.

SOG 12-9 Hawks

[ClassAGuy]

BHS Class A Semifinal Game #1
#2 Hermantown 1
#3 Mahtomedi 1
End of 2nd Period

Hawks took over possession time and zone time as the period went on. However, Zephyrs did not break and they stay knotted up heading into the 3rd period. This one should be a great finish!

SOG 23-13 Hawks

[rainier2]

I am worried about the futures of these two programs. Sounded like several seniors in the starting lineups. How will they ever make it back next year?

Mahtomedi was hit very hard by Hill Murray in the younger grades actually. Curious to see how that will play out for them in the coming years.

Back to the game Big Kill by by Zephyrs

Be interesting to see if this year's exodus at Hermantown trickles down into the following years. Will other top Hawk players decide playing in Class A isn't for them either? Heard a rumor a top bantam was leaving Hermantown.

[ClassAGuy]

4:47 left last ....

Still tied at 1-1.

Mahtomedi with a good push here late. This game is living up to the billing very good SF going on right now

[ClassAGuy]

4:47 left last ....

Still tied at 1-1.

Mahtomedi with a good push here late. This game is living up to the billing very good SF going on right now

Now Hawks buzzing after TV timeout

[ClassAGuy]

Zephyrs SCOREEEEEEEEEE

[ClassAGuy]

BHS Class A Semifinal Game #1
#3 Mahtomedi 2
#2 Hermantown 1
Final

Zephyrs take down the Defending Champs! Brandt was excellent net withstanding the Hawks pressure & Drage plays the hero scoring the GWG in the last minute!

Mahtomedi heads to the A Title Game tomorrow

[headsupsticksdown]

They didn’t win so they’re clearly in the right class eh? That’s how it’ll go I assume…

[Nostalgic Nerd]

My pick for best goal. Or #20 from Hill.

[rainier2]

They didn’t win so they’re clearly in the right class eh? That’s how it’ll go I assume…

I believe the Hawks were 3-0 vs teams in the AA tourney this year, so maybe AA would have been an easier path.

[headsupsticksdown]

They didn’t win so they’re clearly in the right class eh? That’s how it’ll go I assume…

I believe the Hawks were 3-0 vs teams in the AA tourney this year, so maybe AA would have been an easier path.

As long as they’re the only ones getting the chance to go to the X, who cares right?

Always sad to see the losing team after these games regardless. How much passion and love they have for the game.

[Brodziak Fan Club]

Help an ignorant AA fan out here - what happened to Hermantown? I know they had some departures but all I hear about is how much this group won at the youth level. They looked dominant at times this year but things started to look wobbly in sections with some closer than expected victories. Was it injuries? Something else?

[ClassAGuy]

Help an ignorant AA fan out here - what happened to Hermantown? I know they had some departures but all I hear about is how much this group won at the youth level. They looked dominant at times this year but things started to look wobbly in sections with some closer than expected victories. Was it injuries? Something else?

Lost to a very Good team in Mahtomedi who has AA wins over Benilde & STA and played Hill Murray very tight in both games.

The Zephyrs play a very good AA Schedule all year to prepare for these kind of games. The Hawks played well just couldn't find the back of the net and Mahtomedi as they learn to do due to their great schedule kept the Hawks to the outside and made it one and done chances throughout. I suppose if your looking for a reason they lost maybe they were missing that elite scorer? They did lose (3 studs) to early departures but seemed to make up for that with a more depth and score by committee approach but that may have done them in today as they didn't have that guy to bury the game winner when they needed it most.

Give the Zephyrs credit though they are a very good team well coached and will be looking for their 2nd title in the last 4 years tomorrow.

[Brodziak Fan Club]

Can totally give the Zephyrs credit. From afar, though, the vibes in Hermantown seem a little weird this season.

[rainier2]

Help an ignorant AA fan out here - what happened to Hermantown? I know they had some departures but all I hear about is how much this group won at the youth level. They looked dominant at times this year but things started to look wobbly in sections with some closer than expected victories. Was it injuries? Something else?

Before the season, lost a 5th rd NHL draft pick, an NTDP player, and a D that was one of the best in the state. All three of them committed to UMD as sophomores.

A good way to think of it is: How good would Warroad be if you took off Shaugabay, Pilgrim, and Comstock? HUGE drop off if that occurs.

Hermantown would have rolled through the A tourney if the Plantes and Hanson had stayed.

[Brodziak Fan Club]

Help an ignorant AA fan out here - what happened to Hermantown? I know they had some departures but all I hear about is how much this group won at the youth level. They looked dominant at times this year but things started to look wobbly in sections with some closer than expected victories. Was it injuries? Something else?

Before the season, lost a 5th rd NHL draft pick, an NTDP player, and a D that was one of the best in the state. All three of the committed to UMD as sophomores.

A good way to think of it is: How good would Warroad be if you took off Shaugabay, Pilgrim, and Comstock? HUGE drop off if that occurs.

Hermantown would have rolled through the A tourney if the Plantes and Hanson had stayed.

For sure - I get that. It just seemed like they were rolling through AA competition this season and then playoff time came and they had some weird results, punctuated by this.

[rainier2]

Help an ignorant AA fan out here - what happened to Hermantown? I know they had some departures but all I hear about is how much this group won at the youth level. They looked dominant at times this year but things started to look wobbly in sections with some closer than expected victories. Was it injuries? Something else?

Before the season, lost a 5th rd NHL draft pick, an NTDP player, and a D that was one of the best in the state. All three of the committed to UMD as sophomores.

A good way to think of it is: How good would Warroad be if you took off Shaugabay, Pilgrim, and Comstock? HUGE drop off if that occurs.

Hermantown would have rolled through the A tourney if the Plantes and Hanson had stayed.

For sure - I get that. It just seemed like they were rolling through AA competition this season and then playoff time came and they had some weird results, punctuated by this.

Hermantown choking at state is nothing new.