Game One: Maple Grove (20-8) vs. Blake (22-6)

Despite losing Michigan Tech commit and emotional leader Kyle Kukkonen to a season-ending injury, Maple Grove downed Section 5AA’s top seed Blaine in the section finals to advance to the program’s second state tournament in four seasons.
Junior defenseman Henry Nelson picked up his offensive production in Kukkonen’s absence, with the Notre Dame commit scoring 11 goals and totaling 33 points to lead the team. Sam Jacobs follows Nelson with 13 goals and 31 points, and Tyler Oakland rounds out the top three scorers with 12 goals and 25 points.

Goaltenders Parker Slotsve and Jack Wieneke have rotated evenly this season, but Wieneke has the hot hand lately. The junior stopped all 52 shots he faced in two section wins, turning in a 45-save shutout against the favored Bengals in the section final. The Crimson went 2-3 to close out the regular season before its playoff run, including a 5-4 overtime win over first-round opponent Blake.

Blake made its way to the state tournament after a Gavin Best goal was scored on a penalty shot in overtime, a game-winner that drew contrasting opinions from all over the hockey universe. 

Grumblings aside, the Bears are one of the most offensively balanced teams in the field, with 13 players tallying 10 or more points this season. Leading the pack is Minnesota commit Joe Miller (28-43-71), followed by breakout senior Jack Sabre (19-31-50) and playoff-hero Best (19-31-50). Four seniors, one junior and one sophomore, comprise an experienced back end group for the Bears.