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#5 GRAND RAPIDS VS. #4 MAPLE GROVE
8:00 Thursday
-The quarterfinals will close with a North vs. Metro battle, as potent Grand Rapids squares off against unheralded Maple Grove. There is no recent history between these two teams.

Grand Rapids (20-7-1, #11, 4-seed in 7AA)
State appearances: 16 (2 in a row)
State championships: 3 (1975, 1976, 1980)
Key section wins: 5-3 over #3 Elk River, 3-2 (2 OT) over #13 Duluth East
-The Thunderhawks had their ups and downs this season, but burst to life with a flair for the dramatic in the 7AA playoffs, and have the talent to make a deep run. The top line of St. Cloud-bound Micah Miller (20), North Dakota-bound Gavin Hain (8), and future Gopher Blake McLaughlin (7) is as good as it gets in high school hockey. They don’t have a ton of depth beyond that, but the lower lines have been doing just enough. John Stampohar (24) is their rock on defense, and Michael Heitkamp (2) has also come on to help shore up the back end. Zach Stejskal (35) has been strong in goal, though they have last year’s playoff starter in Gabe Holum (30) waiting in the wings, too. This team did beat Eden Prairie in December, and even though there are shortcomings, someone needs to prove they can stop this top line.

Maple Grove (22-6, #10, 2-seed in 5AA)
State appearances: 2 (first in 2012)
Key section wins: 4-3 over #7 Centennial, 3-0 over #24 Blaine
-The Crimson enter the Tourney without much fanfare, but were strong from start to finish and have some interesting talent. Sam Huff (19) is their big offensive threat, and he’s supported by a cast that includes Justin Kelley (9) and Jarrett Cammarata (16). They have some emerging sophomores in Trevor Kukkonen (4) and Tyler Kostelecky (5), and Jack Kelly (6) leads the D. Freshman Ethan Haider (33) is a star in the making in goal. If he can play well and the top line can take advantage of its opportunities, they can make their first trip to the semis. They’ll have to overcome 5AA’s ugly recent record at State, as the section has just one win this decade.

I hope the Indians win. If they continue to play they are now, they should have a good chance.

Has section 5 had many seeded teams during their streak of first round losses? If I can remember correctly 2013 that centennial team might have been a 5 seed but besides that I can't think of many

I am going with the Injuns in this one because....... well, I always do.

Seriously though, GR is 12-3 all time in quarter final games at state. The 3 losses were to Roseau in '79(Aarron Broten and Butsy) '81 to Jefferson in OT, and '88 to Bloomington Kennedy in OT. The Orange and Black are 5-0 since then. They are a tough out when they get to St. Paul.

I will say Injuns 4-3 in OT.

green4 wrote:Has section 5 had many seeded teams during their streak of first round losses? If I can remember correctly 2013 that centennial team might have been a 5 seed but besides that I can't think of many

They've been seeded for 4 of their 7 straight first round losses.

'10 Blaine, 3-seed, Bjugstad and company...lost to Fasching/Michaelson Apple Valley
'12 Maple Grove, 2-seed, dominant regular season...got run over by Hill
'13 Centennial, 5-seed, lost in OT to #4 Wayzata
'15 Blaine, 4-seed, Tufte, beaten handily by sophomore Casey and friends with 5-seed EP.

This one might be a close one. MG has some high end dmen and their freshman goalie might be one of the best in the state. Saw him when they played East and he is tall and technically sound. This one could be an overtime game and go late in to the night.

Thawks on a mission, they roll the crimson. Having played in this game last year and knowing how to manage the day is a big advantage. 6-2 GR.

If East can't win I'm all in on Rapids. T Hawks 4-2 on their March to the Title!

karl(east) wrote: Zach Stejskal (35) has been strong in goal, though they have last year’s playoff starter in Gabe Holum (30) waiting in the wings, too.

Don't be so sure Holum is waiting in the wings. He's been injured and couldn't play against East. They're hoping he's healthy by the state tournament, but that's uncertain. But you're right: fortunately, Stejskal's been strong.

I hate the northern teams

5-2 Maple grove

Almost expecting a GR-EP semi-final rematch. Good thing I am just a fan. I'll take Rapids 4-2.

As an East fan, I gotta go with Rapids on this one, even tho it is quite painful.... For the second year in a row But I'm always the person to root for the team that beat my team, and not to mention, a section 7 / Northern team that is well deserving

Hopefully that Rapids 1st line has some magic going in, because it looks like a tough Tourney, with some potential for some upsets!


Wish them the best in this Tournament and hope they go all the way!

GR the trendy pick. Maple Grove is the real deal. 4-2 MG

Here we all sit on the eve of it all
16 teams unloading buss's down in St. Paul
There's 8 teams tomorrow looking for a crown
7 of them hoping to take down Hermantown
When Thursday arrives there's way more intrigue
As the AA teams are in the same league
Whether offensive or defensive play do you lean
It don't matter much I like the Halloween Machine
We will all watch closely and all will keep tabs
'Cause I remember years back some dude said
"It's all up for grabs"

Rock on and good luck to all.

Micah Miller might have been the most fun player to watch last year. Hoping for an even better encore!

6-5 Maple Grove

Lots of action.
I like the upset in this one.

Jeffy95 wrote:Micah Miller might have been the most fun player to watch last year. Hoping for an even better encore!

Extremely good player, but NO.

1-0 MG 20 seconds in!

2-0 MG...off to a flying start!

Hain! MG 2 GR 1

7AA must have been loaded if this is their #4 seed.

This is fun just watching this GR team.

GR up 5-2 now after the 2nd.

Grindian et al..

Can the Halloween machine repeat their December performance tomorrow night and beat Eden Prairie for the second time this season?

Stampohar got to be on ice each time Casey is?

Might have won last year if Blake had played. Incredible