The Star 
Alex Bump, Prior Lake 

I’d apologize for being obvious, but there is no other choice. 
Bump was electric from the time he took the ice for player introductions, coming off a Section playoff run that included five goals and five assists, and his buzz entering Thursday was palpable. The first period did nothing to dim Bump’s luster, as he tallied a hat trick in about 12 minutes to spot the Lakers a 3-0 lead and torpedo any momentum Cretin-Derham Hall might’ve had, and finished with five goals and six points in the win. 

The Stalwart 
Jackson Anderson, Prior Lake 

As a player, Anderson is easy on the eyes with a 6-foot-2, 170-pound frame that indicates he can put on muscle with the right training program. The fact that he’s a senior captain, can play the enforcer in front of his own net, and can handle the puck doesn’t hurt either. 
Anderson spent significant time clearing the slot in front of Laker goaltender Trevor Boschee on Thursday and added two assists for good measure. 

The Savior 
Trevor Boschee, Prior Lake 

Lost in the tapestry of Alex Bump’s masterpiece, the Prior Lake senior netminder turned in a solid performance of his own, stopping 22 shots and maintaining the shutout against an offense that isn’t exactly full of bums. Boschee’s play will play a pivotal role in just how far the Lakers can drive this bus. 

The Quote

“We played the best player in the state, and he picked the best day to have the best game. I’ve been watching the state tournament for a long time, and that performance he had today goes down as one of the best.”

- Cretin-Derham Hall Head Coach Matt Funk on Prior Lake’s Alex Bump 

The Star 
Josh Giuliani, Maple Grove 

Giuliani recorded his own version of the Gordie Howe Hat Trick on Thursday, scoring two goals, adding two assists, and getting into a gloved scrum in front of the Edina net after crashing for a loose puck. The senior captain has evolved into a power forward that relishes physical contact, always a plus when a player is flanked by high-skill guys like Giuliani is with Finn Brink and Landen Gunderson. 

The Stalwart 
Parker Wente, Maple Grove 

A senior captain whose numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet, Wente is part of an underrated defensive crew for the Crimson. On Thursday, Wente helped stabilize a Crimson blueline that Head Coach Todd Berglund said has improved tremendously throughout the season, making intelligent plays along the boards and severely limiting Edina’s odd-man rushes. 

The Savior 
Toby Hopp, Maple Grove 

Hopp’s 29 saves allowed Maple Grove to avoid reverting into a defensive shell late in the game, despite allowing a second Edina goal in the latter stages of the third period. Hopp has won his last four starts and has not allowed more than two goals in his previous three games. 

The Quote 

“You know, we’re kind of a team that’s been overlooked for the past couple of years. (People would say) the grade older than you guys is really good, but (this group) has always been overlooked. It’s our time now.” 

- Maple Grove’s Parker Wente on sustaining - and advancing - the Maple Grove youth hockey community’s culture of winning   

The Star 
Jack Erickson, Hill-Murray 

The junior who started the season as the Pioneers' backup stopped 32 of 34 shots during Thursday's game, winning his eighth straight game between the pipes and making several stunning saves in the process. Erickson's sprawling glove save on Lakeville South's Aidan Willis will go down as one of the most fabulous saves of the state tournament. 

The Stalwart 
Axel Begley, Hill-Murray 

It feels as though Begley has patrolled the backend for the Pioneers since Moses was in short pants, but all that time manning the point has made Begley immune to most forms of an offense's tricks. Listed at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Begley has grown into the steadiest Eddie among Hill-Murray defenders. Not as flashy as Leo Gruba or as ballyhooed as a national prospect as freshman Logan Hensler, all Begley does is shut down opposing forwards, guide the breakout, and add the timely goal here and there.

The Savior 
Josh Storm, Lakeville South 

Did Storm actually "save" the Lakeville South program? Probably not, but the first-year Cougar head coach inherited a team that was going through a messy coaching change, players that had opportunities to skate in more stable situations, and distractions away from the rink that involved supposed adults in the program's orbit. Storm earned the trust of the Cougars, and the players rewarded him with 25 wins and an appearance in the state quarterfinals. 

The Quote 

"I couldn't have asked for a better coach. I wasn't totally sure what was going to happen, having the choice to leave this year, and Storm was such a big reason to come back."

- Lakeville South's Tanner Ludtke on Head Coach Josh Storm  

The Star
Gavyn Thoreson, Andover 

You can’t go wrong with the game-winner. Thoreson’s deft backhand deposit of Cayden Casey’s perfect centering feed sends Andover to the semifinals for the first time in three trips to the Class AA State Tournament. In addition to scoring in overtime, Thoreson’s distribution skills were on full display Thursday night, adding panache and creativity to zone entries that appeared pedestrian at the outset. 

The Stalwart
Colby Krier, Moorhead 

Krier’s relentless physical play on Thursday night belies his 5-foot-9, 174-pound frame, but the junior defender proved he could absorb hits as well as he can dish them out. Krier drew multiple crowd reactions for his effective bodychecks and fearless pursuit of opposing puck carriers.

The Savior
Austin Brauns, Andover 

The Senior Goalie of the Year finalist was more than up to the task, making 44 saves on 45 shots to limit the high-flying Spuds to a single goal. It was the first time Brauns had made more than 40 saves in a game this season, but the seventh time he’s been tasked with stopping 30 or more pucks.  

The Quote 

“An outstanding high school hockey game between two very good teams and some very, very good hockey players.”

- Moorhead’s Jon Ammerman with the best summary of tonight’s game