It wasn’t as easy to get out of regions for Mahtomedi as it was for some teams, as the Zephyrs topped Minnetonka Blue 3-1, a 2-1 overtime win over Minnetonka Black, and another 2-1 overtime win over White Bear Lake Orange. The state’s top-ranked team is 41-1-1 entering the weekend, and have won 19 games since a 4-2 loss to Shakopee on Jan. 5. Grand Rapids slipped past East Grand Forks in the lower bracket final 4-3 after losing to North Shore in the upper bracket title game. The Thunderhawks have won eight of their last 10 games. The Thunderhawks have outscored opponents 250-83 this year. 

Since an 0-3-1 stretch in late January, Buffalo Black has won 13 straight games, including a 4-0 win over Mankato Black in the upper bracket final of the South Region. The Bison are another quality defensive team, having allowed just 78 goals in 44 games this season. Buffalo Black takes on Moorhead Black, who came through the backdoor with a 3-2 win over Andover in the lower bracket final of the West Region. Of Moorhead Black’s 11 losses, six have come by a single goal, including two in overtime and one in a shootout. The Spuds defeated Buffalo Black 2-1 during the regular season on Dec. 15. 

Osseo-Maple Grove Black scored seven goals twice during the West Region, defeating Alexandria Black 7-1 and Moorhead Black in the upper bracket final 7-3. Sandwiched between those wins was a 4-1 victory over Elk River. The Leafbirds have won six straight games since an 0-3 stretch earlier in the month. Sauk Rapids knocked off Mankato Black and Rochester Gold to earn a backdoor trip to the tournament and is rewarded with a third meeting against the Leafbirds. Osseo-Maple Grove Black won both regular-season meetings against Sauk Rapids by scores of 9-0 and 7-3. 

North Shore had a whale of a North Region, beating Thief River Falls 2-1, East Grand Forks 6-5, and completing the journey with a 4-2 win over Grand Rapids. The close games have become a habit for North Shore, with three other wins during the season coming by margins of two goals or less. After losing to Mahtomedi 2-1 in the upper bracket final, White Bear Lake Orange edged Minnetonka 4-3 in the lower bracket finale, sending the Bears to the tournament. The Bears have won six of their last seven games, including two by shutout.