LAKEVILLE SOUTH VS. #1 HILL-MURRAY

A Lakeville playing the 1-seed is a time-honored tradition at State, but this is no layup for top-seeded Hill, as two defensively solid, griding teams collide. Their only previous Tourney meeting was a 2008 quarterfinal won by Hill 3-0, and the Pioneers lead the all-time series 5-0.

Lakeville South (25-3, #8, 1-seed in 1AA)

State appearances: 7 (4 in a row)

Key section win: 4-1 over 2-seed Lakeville North

The Cougars, runners-up a season ago, return to St. Paul with a team that is less dominant but still capable of doing some damage. The top line of Tanner Ludtke (4), Aidan Willis (5), and Ashton Dahms (22) can lock up with any in this field, while Tate Pritchard (3) and Ben Portner (9) add some depth.

Mason Johnson (6) and Tyler Lafferty (7) are their top defenders, and they’ve gotten strong goaltending out of junior Jack Hochsprung (33).

The Cougars roll in on a 16-game winning streak, though their schedule is among the easiest of the Tourney entrants; they mustered just one goal in losses to title contenders Edina and Maple Grove. If they can score enough, there’s enough here to win a few games at the X, and they have more of a chance than some others in a low-scoring slog with Hill.

Hill-Murray (23-4-1, #2, 1-seed in 4AA)

State appearances: 32 (3 in a row)

Championships: 4 (1983, 1991, 2008, 2020)

Key section win: 5-0 over 3-seed White Bear Lake

The Pioneers, denied a chance to defend their crown by Covid protocols a season ago, are back in St. Paul with a vengeance in 2022.

As with so many great Hill teams, the defense is the core, with Mr. Hockey finalist Leo Gruba (11), rock-solid veteran Axel Begley (26), and freshman superstar Logan Hensler (2) forming the foundation of an elite corps. A second Mr. Hockey finalist, Dylan Godbout (17), is one of their most potent forwards in recent memory, and Brady Ingebritson (15), Anthony Madigan (7), and Nate Hardy (10) support him.

The offense isn’t quite as deep down the lineup as a few other entrants here, but they are rock-solid and can roll four lines, and after getting pressed into duty at midseason, Jack Erickson (33) has put up phenomenal numbers. If they stick to their formula, they have to like their odds to be playing on Saturday night.