ST. PAUL — The stage is set for an exciting championship showdown today as the top-seeded teams in both classes of the Minnesota high school boys hockey tournament vie for state titles. At 19:00, Minnetonka, the No. 1 seed in Class AA, will face off against the defending state champion Moorhead. Earlier in the day, at noon, Hibbing/Chisholm enters the Class A championship game as the top seed, taking on the No. 3-seeded Warroad.
Class A Championship Preview
Hibbing/Chisholm aims to secure its first title as a co-op team, with the Hibbing Bluejackets previously winning championships in 1952 and 1973. On Friday, the co-op team showcased its resilience, overcoming an offensive barrage from Mahtomedi to clinch a 4-2 victory in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, the Warroad Warriors are making their 26th state appearance, hoping to capture their fifth championship since the tournament’s inception in 1945. Warroad last hoisted the trophy in 2005, winning a thrilling 4-3 double overtime match against Totino Grace. In their semifinal, Warroad erased a deficit with a three-goal flurry to secure a 6-3 victory over Delano.
This season, Hibbing/Chisholm has already defeated Warroad, winning 4-2 on January 24, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense rematch.
Class AA Championship Preview
In the Class AA bracket, Minnetonka is making its eighth tournament appearance, with aspirations for a third title. The Skippers previously won championships in 2018 and 2023. Their path to the finals was anything but easy, as they required overtime to edge out Rosemount 4-3 on Friday.
On the other side, Moorhead seeks to repeat as state champions and secure the school’s second-ever title, having finished as runners-up on eight occasions. This tournament marks the 22nd appearance for the Spuds, who clinched their place in the final by defeating Edina 3-1 after an impressive three-goal performance in the third period.
Earlier in the season, Minnetonka faced Moorhead, winning the matchup 4-2 on December 20, setting the tone for what could be an electrifying final.
Fans can catch the tournament livestream online, while a complete list of champions can be found on the official Minnesota State High School Hockey website. The excitement builds as teams prepare to battle for glory in the state hockey finals.
