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2A preview: Maple Grove hopes to defeat Andover third time this season

By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune, 03/31/21, 12:15AM CDT

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Andover (No. 5, 18-2-1) vs. Maple Grove (No. 4, 20-1), 8 p.m

Scouting the Huskies: All that depth last season — eight players registered 10 or more goals — proved to be both blessing and curse. “We didn’t have that one guy who you could look at on the bench and say, ‘Go get us a goal,’ ” coach Mark Manney said. The setup is different this year. Senior Garrett Schifsky (28 goals) is that designated alpha scorer. His hat trick in the Section 7 championship game propelled the Huskies past Grand Rapids. Beating Maple Grove for the first time in three tries this season will require “getting pucks behind their defense and going to work under the goal line,” Manney said.

Scouting the Crimson: Coach Todd Bergland felt his players learned as much about themselves in two games than the other 19 combined: A 3-2 victory against Andover and 4-3 loss to Lakeville South. The latter cost Maple Grove the No. 1 ranking it held much of the shortened season. But Bergland gained great game footage to share. “We needed to play better in all three zones, like what you saw from Mankato in the NCAA tournament the other night,” Bergland said. “We haven’t always had to do that. But we’re capable.” Forward Kyle Kukkonen and defenseman Henry Nelson are Mr. Hockey Award finalists. Goalie Jack Wieneke is a Frank Brimsek Award finalist.

Worth knowing: Maple Grove is the highest scoring team in Class 2A averaging 8.8 goals per game — two more than the next closest team

Tourney tidbits

White Bear Lake watch party: Downtown White Bear Lake will play host to the “Bear Paw Thaw” on Friday and Saturday. An outdoor hockey state tournament viewing party will start at 1 p.m. Saturday. A large mobile viewing screen will be parked on Washington Square. Local restaurants will offer to-go specials so folks can eat at picnic tables while watching the games. Admission is free.

NHL flavor: Wednesday’s quarterfinal meeting of No. 1 seed Eden Prairie and St. Thomas Academy features two players already drafted by NHL teams. Eagles’ senior defenseman Mason Langenbrunner and Cadets’ senior forward Jackson Hallum were drafted last summer. The Vegas Golden Knights chose Hallum in the third round (91st overall) while Boston chose Langenbrunner in the fifth round (151st overall).

Tickets might be available: An e-mail Tuesday to state tournament season-ticket holders indicated that a small quantity of tickets could be available. The Minnesota State High School League did not make tickets open for public sale. But if the schools don’t use their allotment for the semifinals and finals, season-ticket holders could get the opportunity. Season-ticket holders were encouraged to “stay connected to your e-mail” for any ticket notifications.

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