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2A boys' hockey quarterfinal preview: Duluth East vs. Eagan

By Star Tribune, 03/05/14, 10:24PM CST

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Duluth East (No. 4, 21-6-1) vs. Eagan (No. 5, 18-9-1), 8 p.m.


At the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum in a Class 2A section 3 finals between St. Thomas Academy and Eagan, Eagan goalie Andrew Lindgren(35) makes a save . ]richard tsong-taatarii/rtsong-taatarii@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1402272129170683

Duluth East (No. 4, 21-6-1) vs. Eagan (No. 5, 18-9-1), 8 p.m. today

Scouting the Greyhounds: Coach Mike Randolph has guided Duluth East to state 15 times since 1991, using a similar regular-season approach. Players are allowed some rope until Christmas time before Randolph implements his way of doing things. With only four seniors and a wealth of new faces, Randolph hid the rope all season. “We said, ‘This is the way you have to play or you’re not going to play.’ ” The Greyhounds got the message and scored victories at Eden Prairie and Grand Rapids in early January to set the tone for playoff success.

Scouting the Wildcats: A long shot as a No. 4 seed in its section, Eagan bumped and grinded its way to the state tournament. Forward Jack Jenson (20 goals, 36 assists) and goaltender Andrew Lindgren (18 victories, five shutouts) emerged as two of the top players in the South Suburban Conference. Forwards Kyle Stebbing and Max Elsenheimer flourish on a line with Jenson. And defensemen Tommy Muck and Nick Wolff made opposing puck carriers work for every inch of ice. “About four weeks ago we got healthy, got our lineup set and saw how close of a group we have,” Eagan coach Mike Taylor said.

Worth knowing: Mr. Hockey finalist Philip Beaulieu of Duluth East is playing in his fourth consecutive state tournament.

DAVID LA VAQUE

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