Game Three: Hutchinson (19-8-1) vs. Warroad (26-2)

After burning through Section 3A, outscoring playoff opponents by a combined 24-2 Hutchinson is back in the state tournament for the first time in 11 years. 

Senior forward Austin Jozwick racked up eight goals and 10 points in section play, giving him a team-leading 33 goals and 59 points. Junior forward and captain Hayden Jensen follows Jozwick in the offensive pecking order with 20 goals and 36 points. Junior goaltender Austin Hagen has played just over 1,100 minutes for the Tigers in goal this season and has a save percentage of .915. Six of the Tigers’ eight losses this season have been by two goals or less.

Also making its first state appearance in a decade is Warroad, who last made it to the big dance in 2010 and last won a state title in 2005. The tournament’s top seed has offensive firepower in the form of Mr. Hockey finalist, and Northern Michigan commit Grant Slukynsky (34-55-89) and freshman phenom Jayson Shaugabay (27-37-64).

Not to be overlooked are forwards Anthony Foster (26-28-54), and Owen Meeker (18-21-39), and defenders Blake Norris (3-31-34) and Carson Reed (7-19-26) are capable of scoring a big goal. 

Senior goaltender Zach Foster didn’t allow a goal in three section games and has a goals-against-average of 1.42 and six blank sheets this year.