Supremacy in Class 1A, Section 3 is usually sorted out among the triumvirate of (in alphabetical order) Hutchinson, Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato and New Ulm. Since the current alignment was set in 2009, those three teams have combined to win 10 of the 13 section championships. This season should be no different, and Saturday’s matchup between Hutchinson (9-4-2) and New Ulm (13-2-0) will likely determine the section’s top seed.
Hutchinson lost 3-2 to Southwest Christian/Richfield on Saturday, but boasts a win and tie over both Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato and perennial power Delano on its resume.
The Tigers rely on a stellar defensive corps led by hulking senior Tristan Hoppe (1 goal, 6 assists) and the superb goaltending of senior Austin Hagen (2.32 goals-against average, .915 save percentage).
Senior Jace Addy (14 goals), junior Braxten Hoffmann (12 goals) and senior Keagan Schiro (12 goals) lead a deep and balanced group of forwards for New Ulm. Senior goaltender Kyle Esser is 7-1-0 with four shutouts.