Class A state tournament capsule: Hermantown vs. St. Cloud Apollo

HERMANTOWN (26-2-1) VS. ST. CLOUD APOLLO (23-4-2)

What: Minnesota Class A state tournament semifinal

When: Approximately 1:30 p.m.

Where: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul

Outlook: Hermantown got off to a flying start in Wednesday’s quarterfinals. Hat tricks from linemates Nate Pionk and Ryan Kero spurred an 8-0 victory over Spring Lake Park for the bracket’s No. 1 seed. The tandem ended the night with a combined 12 points. “They’re very special players,” Hawks coach Bruce Plante said afterward. Plante’s squad rang up a 50-10 advantage in shots on goal while coasting into today’s semifinals. And it wasn’t just the Hawks offense that clicked - the Panthers were equally impressed by Hermantown’s lockdown defense. First-liners Pionk (34 goals, 35 assists, 69 points), Kero (32-40-72) and Cole Koepke (20-23-43) are the primary offensive threats, but the Hawks have displayed a litany of weapons all season. They haven’t lost since Dec. 6 and are riding a 24-game unbeaten streak. Hermantown, in its 12th state tournament, is trying to reach its sixth consecutive title game. The Hawks have lost the past five. Plante has 490 career wins. … The entire state got to watch St. Cloud Apollo goalie Nick Althaus (1.41 goals-against average, .921 save percentage) in Wednesday’s last quarterfinal game, which went into overtime and didn’t finish until about 11 p.m. Althaus was brilliant with 25 saves to lift the Eagles to their 10th consecutive win - 1-0 over Breck. He is perhaps the biggest reason No. 5 Apollo is in its third state tournament. The Eagles won’t overwhelm anyone with their offense, but Althaus, who owns six shutouts, anchors a strong defense. Gino Lucia (19-20-39) is the leading scorer, while Jason Omann (18-15-33) and Brandon Bissett (18-9-27) also can bury the puck. Bissett scored the lone goal vs. Breck. Today’s winner will meet either Mahtomedi or defending champion East Grand Forks in Saturday’s noon championship game.

TV: WDIO Chs. 10&13

Radio: KQDS-AM 1490/WKLK-FM 96.5

Internet: Prep45.com ($4.97 per day)

Twitter: @Louiesg3

Tickets: Adults, $17; students, $11