The Minnesota State High School League boys hockey state tournament continued Thursday, March 5, with the quarterfinal round for the state’s largest schools by enrollment.

Read what happened in the Class 1A quarterfinals Wednesday.

Follow live scoring of each game on Strib Varsity. Here is the complete bracket for 2A, and here is the bracket for 1A.

Thursday’s schedule

11 a.m. Minnetonka 5, Gentry Academy 0

1 p.m. Rosemount 3, Grand Rapids 2, OT

6 p.m. Moorhead 4, Lakeville South 1

8 p.m. Edina 3, Andover 1

Hornets swarm early behind McConnell’s hat trick

Edina coach Curt Giles knew Andover was playing good hockey down the stretch and knew the Huskies would be tough to play against Thursday, March 5.

“We wanted to get off to a good start,” Giles said. “So, Bode [McConnell] helped with that.”

Yes, a pure hat trick in the first period certainly helped.

Though no hats made it to the ice, McConnell scored a hat trick by the 15:50 mark of the game to put No. 3 seed Edina up 3-0 on the way to a 3-1 victory over No. 6 seed Andover. It’s the second hat trick in as many games for McConnell and the sixth time this season he’s scored at least three goals in a game.

The junior forward is the team’s leading goal scorer with 36.

“He’s really had a good year,” Giles said. “He scored a bunch of goals for us early. He had a little bit of a drought in the middle of the season, then he picked it back up toward the end of the season again.”

The Class 2A quarterfinals have featured a hat trick in each of the last five years, including three from Edina players and two pure hat tricks. In 2022, Alex Bump had the other pure hat trick, scoring three of his five goals in the game by the 14:17 mark of the first period, as Prior Lake upset Cretin-Derham Hall 6-0. Bobby Cowan (2023 against Moorhead) and Casey Vandertop (2024 against Elk River/Zimmerman) also had quarterfinal hat tricks for the Hornets. Last year, Moorhead’s Mason Kraft had a hat trick in his four-goal game against Lakeville South.

As great as the start was for the Hornets (22-6-1), Andover coach Mark Manney said it seemed like his team was a little slow out of the gate and “just got a little overwhelmed” with Edina’s strength.

“I don’t know if they’re the most skilled team we’ve played, but they’re definitely in the conversation for the hardest to play against,” Manney said. “Kind of death by a thousand cuts out there, with the way they just kept coming and kept coming and putting pressure on us and getting sticks in lanes.”

The Huskies (11-15-3) scored on one of their five power plays, getting a goal from Jack Rykkeli in the middle of the second period. They thought they made it a one-goal game a few minutes later with Camden Langfeld’s shot, but the play was reviewed, and it was determined that Langfeld entered the zone offside.

“It was obviously hard to take,” Langfeld said. “Just take it on the chin and move on. Obviously would’ve been, I think, a different game if that one would’ve counted. But it didn’t, and that’s the way it went.”

Manney was pleased with his team’s response in the wake of what could have been a huge momentum swing.

“What you’re afraid of when that happens is you kind of feel sorry for yourself, and the next thing it’s 5-1,” Manney said. “I thought we handled ourselves pretty well there and kind of weathered a bit of a storm and kept some pressure on.”

— Heather Rule

Final: Edina 3, Andover 1

Bode McConnell’s first-period hat trick holds up to send Edina to the semifinals for a rematch against Moorhead.

Andover had its chances but went 1-for-5 on the power play.

The Spuds defeated Edina 4-3 in last year’s semifinal game, getting the winning goal with less than a minute to play in regulation.

— Heather Rule

End of second period: Edina 3, Andover 1

Andover put the puck in the net twice in the second period but still finds itself down by a pair. Camden Langfeld had a low-snipe goal off the rush with just under five minutes to play in the period. It was a good goal on the ice, as Langfeld celebrated in front of the nearby, neon-themed Huskies student section. It looked to make it a one-goal game with goals a little more than two minutes apart.

But the play was reviewed, and it was determined that the play was offsides. No goal. Still 3-1. Edina leads in shots on goal 34-16.

— Heather Rule

Second period: Edina 3, Andover 1

Andover finally cashed in on its fourth power play of the game with 7:15 left in the second period. Jack Rykkeli pounced on a loose puck just outside the crease when Edina’s goaltender didn’t freeze the puck. Camden Langfeld had the initial shot on the play.

The play was called a good goal on the ice then reviewed, and the call stood.

Andover rings the crossbar, after earlier hitting the pipe, soon after the goal.

— Heather Rule

The Spuds’ approach to state? Forgetting last year happened.

It’s been 12 years since the last time the Class 2A boys hockey state tournament had a back-to-back champion. Moorhead inched closer to claiming that honor on Thursday, March 5, with a 4-1 quarterfinal win against Lakeville South.

Junior forward Max Cullen carried the team to the semifinals thanks to a game-opening goal with 4:31 left in the first period and a second shot finding the back of the net with 28 seconds left in the second period. Sophomore forward Joey Cullen brought the score to 3-1 in the third before Mr. Hockey finalist Tyden Bergeson secured the team’s ticket with a 4-1 points buffer less than three minutes until the final buzzer sounded.

The No. 2-seeded Spuds (25-3-1) lost only three games this season and carried a kind of confidence only a team welcoming back three junior hockey players — senior forward Bergeson, senior defenseman Brandon Mickelson and junior forward Zac Zimmerman — could pull off.

So what’s the secret to the Spuds’ state tourney self-assurance? Forgetting last year happened.

“You don’t want to think about last year as much, like we’re all just doing our own thing,” Mickelson said. “It obviously helps to have that experience from last year. Some of the older guys and the younger guys, they’ve won their whole lives. They’ve won national championships, bantam state tournaments. So we kind of came in here like a normal game.”

But that doesn’t mean the fluorescent overhead lights at Grand Casino Arena didn’t shine a bit too bright at first when the Cougars came out with sticks swinging.

“We didn’t get on the board maybe as much as we would have hoped or expected,” said head coach Jon Ammerman. “It got dicey there for a little bit.”

Moorhead may have outshot the Cougars 33-24, but the Spuds admitted the nerves set in when Lakeville South put a point on the scoreboard thanks to senior forward Tristan Lawrence’s goal 2:52 into the third period. As the Cougars gained momentum, Bergeson and junior defenseman Finn Paulsen entered the penalty box.

“It’s hard having a five-on-three [with] also nerves and stuff, but you just play your game,” Max Cullen said.

The lights may be bright, the competition may be tough and the nerves may linger, but that’s all part of the reason the team wanted to return.

“Playing at this stage, this is kind of what you come back for,” Bergeson said. “Playing in these big moments, in this big environment is just unreal.”

— Olivia Hicks

End of first period: Edina 3, Andover 0

That’s a pure hat trick for Bode McConnell. He snipes a high shot that rattled around in the net on the glove side for a 3-0 Hornets lead with 1:10 left in the period.

He has a hat trick in back-to-back games after scoring all three goals in the team’s section championship win over Wayzata.

— Heather Rule

First period: Edina 2, Andover 0

It’s Bode McConnell again. Puck off his skate and in off a four-on-one Edina rush just after an Andover power play expired. Tic-tac-toe play from Becker Wenkus to Dylan Donnay over to McConnell rushing the net. Goal with 4:26 to play in the first period.

— Heather Rule

First period: Edina 1, Andover 0

Bode McConnell scores his 34th goal of the season just 4:35 into the game to give Edina the early lead. Tucker Johnson fed him on the backdoor after an Andover turnover.

— Heather Rule

Pregame: Andover vs. Edina

The No. 3-seeded Hornets (21-6-1), making their 33rd appearance as Edina, are 8-1 in their last nine quarterfinal games. No. 6-seeded Andover is 2-3 in state quarterfinals since its first trip to state in 2020.

Andover (11-14-3) started the season 1-5-2 and weathered a 1-7 midseason stretch before a four-game winning streak heading into the tournament. It’s a similar story to last season, when the Huskies started 0-9 before getting hot at the right time for a four-game winning streak starting just before sections. Last year, they lost to Stillwater in the quarterfinals.

These two programs have never faced each other in the state tournament.

— Heather Rule

Final: Moorhead 4, Lakeville South 1

The Spuds make it one step closer to a repeat Class 2A title with a 4-1 win over the Cougars.

Moorhead will advance to the semifinals on Friday, leaving the quarterfinals with 33 shots on goal to Lakeville South’s 24.

— Olivia Hicks

Third period: Moorhead 4, Lakeville South 1

With just under three minutes remaining on the clock, senior forward Tyden Bergeson wraps the puck around Lakeville South’s net to make it 4-1. Senior forward Seamus Campbell and senior defenseman Brandon Mickelson assisted.

The crowd chants in response: “Mr. Hockey! Mr. Hockey!”

— Olivia Hicks

Third period: Moorhead 3, Lakeville South 1

Another Moorhead goal by another Cullen.

Junior forward Evan Wanner and sophomore forward John Gramer slid a pass to sophomore forward Joey Cullen, who recorded his 18th goal of the season for the Spuds with six minutes left in the third period.

— Olivia Hicks

Third period: Moorhead 2, Lakeville South 1

Moorhead successfully held off Lakeville South in a five-on-three penalty kill, despite the Cougars gaining four shots on goal.

Senior forward Tyden Bergeson served a penalty for tripping, and junior defenseman Finn Paulsen entered the box for hooking.

— Olivia Hicks

Third period: Moorhead 2, Lakeville South 1

The Cougars open up the third period with a point on the board.

Senior forward Tristan Lawrence slipped the puck past sophomore goaltender Will Arnold at the 2:52 mark. Sophomore forward Roan Zielie and junior defenseman Charlie Hunst assisted.

Moorhead continues to outshoot Lakeville South 27-13.

— Olivia Hicks

End of second period: Moorhead 2, Lakeville South 0

With 28 seconds left in the period, the Spuds extend their lead. Junior forward Max Cullen recorded his second goal of the game as the clock ticked down.

Senior captain and top goal-scorer Tyden Bergeson racked up his 49th assist of 2025-26 after he fed the puck to No. 11. Directly in front of the net, Cullen didn’t waste a second, slapping a shot past senior goaltender Keaton LeGrande.

Moorhead is outshooting Lakeville South 25-11 so far this game.

— Olivia Hicks

Second period: Moorhead 1, Lakeville South 0

The Spuds continue to press into Lakeville South’s net with 18 shots on goal to the Cougars’ 7, but any attempts have found goalie Keaton LeGrande’s glove. Senior defenseman Brandon Mickelson’s shot was blocked, and sophomore forward Joey Cullen’s best chance was grabbed out of the air by Lakeville South senior defenseman Emmett Hartmann.

— Olivia Hicks

End of first period: Moorhead 1, Lakeville South 0

Moorhead leads 1-0 going into the second period after junior forward Max Cullen scored with four minutes left in the first period, pulling a scream from the student section pressed against the glass and holding larger-than-life cardboard cutouts of players. The Spuds, taking hard hits from Lakeville South’s squad, seem to have found a rhythm outshooting the Cougars 10-5.

Cougars senior forward Carter Ernst is leading the team in shots with three. Moorhead captain Tyden Bergeson recorded six shots in the first 17 minutes of play.

— Olivia Hicks

First period: Moorhead 1, Lakeville South 0

With 4:31 left on the clock, junior forward and All-Minnesota player Max Cullen opens up scoring for the Spuds.

Securing his 26th goal of the season, Cullen slapped the puck over goalie Keaton LeGrande’s helmet to break the scoreless first period.

Moorhead leads 8-4 in shots on goal.

— Olivia Hicks

First period: Moorhead 0, Lakeville South 0

Nearly halfway through the first period, the score remains at a 0-0 standstill.

No. 7 seed Lakeville South came out swinging with senior forward Carter Ernst shooting on Moorhead starting goaltender Will Arnold, but the No. 2-seeded Spuds were able to put pressure on Cougars goalie Keaton LeGrande as top scoring and assists duo Tyden Bergeson (27 goals, 48 assists) and Brandon Mickelson (21 goals, 38 assists) sped into Lakeville South territory.

Moorhead is now leading in shots 4-3.

— Olivia Hicks

Watch: Rosemount talks about OT win

Pregame: Lakeville South vs. Moorhead

The Spuds are back at Grand Casino Arena and ready for a repeat. No. 2 seed and defending title champ Moorhead (24-3-1) is about to take on No. 7 seed Lakeville South (14-11-3) in the Class 2A boys hockey state quarterfinals at 6 p.m.

The orange-clad team won the Section 8 championship game 5-1 against Elk River/Zimmerman to get here and has lost only three games this season, thanks to a trio of top scorers — senior forward and Mr. Hockey finalist Tyden Bergeson, junior forward Zac Zimmerman and senior defenseman and Mr. Hockey finalist Brandon Mickelson — returning from junior hockey for another shot at the title. The Spuds have a rich history here, with 21 previous visits, but only one trophy.

Lakeville South won the Section 1 championship 3-1 against No. 1 seed Farmington to skate onto state tourney ice for the sixth year in a row. The Cougars came just shy of winning a state title in 2021, but this year they’re determined to bring home a maiden trophy with interim coach Kurt Weber on the bench. Top scorer Calvin O’Reilly and St. Thomas commit Carter Ernst will attempt to stick-handle the team to glory.

Stay tuned for updates as the student sections begin to fill up and the clock ticks down to puck drop.

— Olivia Hicks

Rosemount gets it done in OT

Rosemount hadn’t played in the boys hockey state tournament since 1992, and even that needs an asterisk. The MSHSL had a two-tier tournament that year, which allowed Rosemount to make it with a 6-21-1 record.

This is decidedly different.

With Grand Casino Arena packed Thursday, March 6, Rosemount played a thriller against Grand Rapids, taking a late third-period lead and giving up the tying goal with 29 seconds remaining in regulation.

The arena exhaled for a moment. Then, early in overtime, senior captain Cade Sherman gathered the puck on the rush and wired a shot into the upper-left corner, giving the Irish a 3-2 triumph.

“I just felt like there was never a doubt, even though [the tying goal] went in,” said Rosemount goalie Sam Clements, who saved 35 of 37 shots. “The nerves are there, but we went back to the bench and everything was calm.”

The fourth-seeded Irish needed a goalie to fill in for starter Drew Sherman, a sophomore who served a one-game suspension for an objectionable gesture after the section championship game.

In stepped Clements, who lost the starting job to Drew Sherman earlier in the season. Drew Sherman is also the younger brother of Cade Sherman, he of the game-winning goal.

“Like I said all year, [Clements has] been Drew’s biggest supporter, and it was kind of a full-circle moment for [Clements] to get into this game and play how he did,” Cade Sherman said. “So I’m happy for him, excited for him.”

Fifth-seeded Grand Rapids (15-13-1) showed how far it came from December, when it suffered a 6-0 loss to Rosemount during a six-game losing streak.

And now Rosemount (24-4-1) will try to control its emotions heading into its semifinal matchup against No. 1-seeded Minnetonka on Friday, March 6.

“We just talked about that in the locker room,” Rosemount coach Ricky Saintey said. “That’s the hardest part because now you’ve earned it. Congratulations. Well done. But now [comes] the hard part.”

— Joe Christensen

Final: Rosemount 3, Grand Rapids 2 (OT)

Cade Sherman’s overtime goal gave No. 4-seeded Rosemount a 3-2 victory over No. 5-seeded Grand Rapids in a thriller at Grand Casino Arena.

The win moved the Irish into Friday’s semifinals against Minnetonka.

Rosemount had taken a 2-1 lead with 3:26 remaining in regulation before giving up the tying goal with 28.9 seconds left.

Grand Rapids had lost to Rosemount 6-0 in December, but this was a completely different game.

— Joe Christensen

End of third period: Rosemount 2, Grand Rapids 2

Grand Rapids tied it on a spectacular tip-in by Jameson Duell with 28.9 seconds remaining in regulation. The shot came from the point, and Duell somehow steered the puck into the net.

So this one’s heading to overtime.

— Joe Christensen

Third period: Rosemount 2, Grand Rapids 1

Rosemount took the lead with 3:26 remaining in the third period on a rebound goal from junior Channing Goodwin, his 13th goal of the season.

— Joe Christensen

End second period: Grand Rapids 1, Rosemount 1

No matter what happens by the end, there was a play toward period’s end that defined the toughness of Minnesota high school hockey players.

Grand Rapids was back on the power play, and Rosemount’s Quinton VeDepo sacrificed his body to block a shot. The pain in his lower-body must have been excruciating. He could barely skate.

It looked as if he thought about hobbling to the bench, but the action came back into Rosemount’s zone, so he stayed out there and hobbled around a bit until the second period horn sounded, mercifully.

VeDepo’s teammates helped him to the bench, and he hopped on one leg toward the tunnel. It was an inspiring sequence to be sure.

— Joe Christensen

Second period: Grand Rapids 1, Rosemount 1

The Irish tied it with 12:55 remaining in the second period on a goal from Oliver Goren. Connor Schubert took the initial shot on the rush, and Goren was there for a rebound goal.

— Joe Christensen

Lights go out at Grand Casino Arena

Fans at Grand Casino Arena had a chance to “ooh” and “ahh” late in Minnetonka’s 5-0 quarterfinals victory over Gentry Academy.

The outcome had been long decided, but at 1:03 p.m., the arena went dark as the lights failed. They were out for about 90 seconds to two minutes, not long enough to cause any interruption to game administration, but enough to bring a reaction from crowd, many of whom broke out their phones to make the stands twinkle before lights were restored.

“Everyone was like, ‘What’s going on?’” Minnetonka sophomore Cash Hardie said. “That was pretty crazy.”

Minnetonka coach Sean Goldsworthy used it as a metaphor.

“We talk about taking the air out of our opponents and taking the air out of the building,” Goldsworthy said. “I guess we played well enough to turn the lights off, too.”

— Jim Paulsen

End of first period: Grand Rapids 1, Rosemount 0

These two teams match up very well. It was a lively period with Rosemount outshooting Grand Rapids 16-13.

The Thunderhawks entered with a power play converting on 42% of its chances. They had another power-play chance late in the period but couldn’t convert.

— Joe Christensen

First period: Grand Rapids 1, Rosemount 0

Rosemount has Sam Clements starting in goal, and he has plenty of experience. But the Irish made the mistake of putting Grand Rapids on the power play with a tripping penalty.

Thunderhawks junior Ander Rajala got the puck behind the goal line, took one step and fired a bad-angle shot that somehow got by Clements about shoulder level. An absolute snipe for a 1-0 lead.

— Joe Christensen

Pregame: Grand Rapids vs. Rosemount

What a day for Rosemount. This is the Irish’s first boys hockey state tournament moment since 1992, and they enter with a 23-4-1 record.

The No. 4-seeded Irish are riding a 10-game winning streak and will face a fifth-seeded Grand Rapids team that is making its 18th state tournament appearance.

It’s also a big day for Sam Clements or Aiden Finn, whoever gets the start in goal for Rosemount with starting goalie Drew Sherman serving a one-game suspension.

Grand Rapids (15-12-1) went through a six-game skid against some great competition in December, and now it’s on a seven-game winning streak. The stat that jumps out is 35 — power-play goals for the Thunderhawks this season.

— Joe Christensen

Final: Minnetonka 5, Gentry Academy 0

There would be no upset this time.

After winning Class 2A, Section 4 with unexpected victories in the semifinals and final, Gentry Academy was brought back to earth by top-seed Minnetonka in the Class 2A quarterfinals.

The Skippers, relying on their customary stifling defense, cruised into Friday’s Class 2A semifinals with a comfortable victory.

Cash Hardie and Liam Schultz scored two goals each for Minnetonka and Cooper Rannow chipped in another. Hardie added two assists to post a four-point game. Goalie Chase Jerdee earned the shutout but wasn’t tested often, facing just 12 shots on goal.

Minnetonka improved to 25-2-2. Gentry Academy fell to 17-10-2.

— Jim Paulsen

Third period: Minnetonka 5, Gentry Academy 0

Liam Schultz scored his second goal of the game when he knocked in a pass from behind the Gentry Academy net. It precipitated a change in goalies for Gentry. Starter Gavin Grose might have been hurt on the goal and came out of the game, replaced by junior Raef Roeller. Cash Hardie had an assist, giving him four points in the game.

— Jim Paulsen

Start of third period: Minnetonka 4, Gentry Academy 0

Minnetonka showed complete ownership in the second period. As good as the Skippers were in the first period, they were even better in the second. Minnetonka had a 16-2 advantage in shots on goal in the period, giving it a 31-5 edge for the game. That speed of Gentry Academy that I mentioned earlier? Fans at Grand Casino Arena didn’t get the chance to see it because the Stars rarely had possession of the puck.

— Jim Paulsen

Minnetonka coach’s journey

If you haven’t already, read columnist Pat Reusse’s column on Minnetonka coach Sean Goldsworthy’s coaching journey.

Goldsworthy has been the coach at his high school alma mater since the fall of 2017, after being the coach at his college alma mater, St. Olaf, for 19 seasons, the 2015-16 season being his last. He played one season of minor league hockey and, then, at age 23, he was hired by the Oles as their head coach.

Goldsworthy was also a strong contributor to the Minnetonka team that made the school’s second appearance in a state hockey tournament in 1990.

Second period: Minnetonka 4, Gentry Academy 0

Another Skippers goal. Cooper Rannow smacked home a long rebound in front of the net for his 10th goal of the season.

Watching Minnetonka is a master class on defensive hockey. The Skippers are always in the right position, they cut off passing lanes, make contact with the body when necessary and are disruptive with their sticks. And if a mistake is made, a teammate is there to cover.

— Jim Paulsen

Second period: Minnetonka 3, Gentry Academy 0

Cash Hardie scored his second goal of the game when he walked in out of the corner and in front of the net to bump the Minnetonka lead to 3-0. The Skippers are in complete control of this one right now.

— Jim Paulsen

Second period: Minnetonka 2, Gentry Academy 0

Liam Schultz sniped a laser of a wrister from the left circle that beat Gentry Academy goalie Gavin Grose to the short side, giving Minnetonka a 2-0 lead. The assists went to Cash Hardie, who scored their first goal, and Max Aronson.

— Jim Paulsen

End of first period: Minnetonka 1, Gentry Academy 0

The Skippers had the better performance of the first period, outshooting Gentry 15-3. Cash Hardie’s goal seemed like only a matter of time. The Skippers defense just doesn’t give much room in front of the net. Gentry Academy has flashed some serious speed, but it’s been sporadic.

— Jim Paulsen

First period: Minnetonka 1, Gentry Academy 0

The Skippers’ offensive pressure finally paid off when sophomore Cash Hardie banged home a pass in front from Max Aronson at 10:03. It was Hardie’s 18th goal of the season.

— Jim Paulsen

First period: Minnetonka 0, Gentry Academy 0

The ice is starting to tilt in Minnetonka’s favor. The Skippers are putting on offensive pressure and have had a few point-blank shots stopped by Gentry Academy goalie Gavin Grose.

— Jim Paulsen

MN hockey a pipeline for the next generation of Olympians

Seven of Team USA’s 2026 gold medalists, four women and three men, played in the Minnesota state high school hockey tournaments before taking their talents to the world’s largest stage.

Here’s how they fared back in the day.

Pregame: Gentry Academy vs. Minnetonka

With Minnetonka, everything starts with defense. The Skippers are deep on the blue line, led by two Reed Larson Award finalists, senior Danny Browning, a fundamentally sound 200-foot player who cleans up the backend and excels at moving the puck out of his zone, and hard-hitting 6-foot-4 senior Tate Hardacre. The Skippers defense is backstopped by goalie Chase Jerdee, a 6-5 Frank Brimsek Award finalist.

The defense gets the pub, but Minnetonka has plenty of offense. Five players have 28 or more points, led by junior forward Max Aronson and sophomore forward Cash Hardie, who are tied for a team-leading 31 points. Senior forward Ethan Sturgis sets the tone. He’s skilled and willing to play the body.

Some people didn’t expect Gentry Academy to get this far this season with such a young team, but they’ve jelled faster than expected. The players showed off their talents in the Class 2A, Section 4 tournament, dominating Hill-Murray 4-2 in the semifinals and White Bear Lake 3-0 in the final. Watch out for talented sophomore forward Jaxon Cook and his team-leading 33 goals.

We’re already getting fans filling in the upper level of Grand Casino Arena. There were none up there on Day 1. I expect a much larger crowd for the first day of the Class 2A tournament.

— Jim Paulsen

Honorary captain

David La Vaque, the face of Star Tribune’s high school hockey coverage for more than a decade, has been the honorary captain of the Northern Lakes boys hockey team this season.

On Wednesday, he visited the team before its Class 1A quarterfinal game against Warroad.

A high school sports reporter for the Star Tribune since 2010, La Vaque also is the co-author of “Tourney Time,” a book about the history of Minnesota’s boys hockey state tournament.

“I didn’t know Dave was gonna come down. And at the same time, it was really great to see him come down,” Northern Lakes coach Thomas Klein said Wednesday. “And then come into the locker room. The guys gave him a round of applause. They’ve known all season that he was our honorary captain.”

Sadly, a progressive illness has kept La Vaque from sportswriting; his last coverage moment was last year’s boys state tourney.

“Not that we’re looking for perspective here, but the truth of the matter is, the challenges he’s going through makes all of this pale in comparison,” Klein said. “But it was really great to see him here. You could tell in his eyes. I’ve seen him enough since last March that I know he really enjoyed this. That was really great. The guys were glad to see him. It was a real special moment for sure.”

Upgrades possible for Grand Casino Arena?

The St. Paul arena used for Minnesota’s high school hockey state tournaments could look different in years to come if funding is approved for upgrades.

The city of St. Paul and the Minnesota Wild are gearing up for another shot at state funding for a proposed $600 million remodel of Grand Casino Arena and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

The city and team are seeking $125 million from the state to renovate the NHL arena and $75 million for the 94-year-old auditorium.