Today's boys hockey playoff games
GRAND RAPIDS (18-8) VS. DULUTH EAST (19-6-1)
What: Section 7AA semifinal
Where: Amsoil Arena
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When: Noon
Outlook: These teams meet in the postseason for the third time in four years, with the Greyhounds winning the past two matchups in section title games. Nick Altmann (19 goals, 24 assists, 43 points), Phil Beaulieu (17-22-39) and Jack Kolar (18-6-24) provide the bulk of the offense for the section's No. 1 seed. Kolar had a hat trick in a align="right">6-0 quarterfinal blanking of St. Francis on Tuesday. Goalie Gunnar Howg (16-5-1, 1.92 goals-against average, .910 save percentage) has been an iron man between the pipes. The Greyhounds own a nine-game winning streak over the Thunderhawks, including a 5-0 waxing Jan. 9. ... The Thunderhawks were routed 5-1 by the Greyhounds in the 2006-07 regular season, only to bounce back with an
overtime victory in the section semifinals and eventually advance to the state tournament. Grand Rapids has not been back since. The fourth-seeded Thunderhawks survived a double-OT scare against Forest Lake in the quarterfinals. Mr. Hockey finalist Avery Peterson (36-30-66), whose consecutive-games point streak was stopped at 38 against East in January, is one of the state's most prolific scorers. Sophomores Jonah Bischoff (16-24-40) and Mitchell Mattson (11-27-38) are more than capable on offense, and another sophomore, Alex Adams, tallied the game-winner Tuesday against the Rangers. Hunter Shepard (18-8, 2.55, .920) is one of two finalists for the Frank Brimsek Award, which goes to the state's top senior goalie.
Radio: KQDS-AM 1490
LOUIE ST. GEORGE III, NEWS TRIBUNE
DULUTH MARSHALL (17-8-1) VS. VIRGINIA/MIB (18-7-1)
What: Section 7A semifinal
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Where: Hibbing Memorial Arena
When: 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: The second-seeded Hilltoppers scored five goals in the first period to defeat North Shore 6-1 in Friday's quarterfinals. Luke Pavelich (20-18-38), Luke Dow (12-20-32) and Jack Dodd (7-22-29) led Marshall in scoring during the regular season, while Alex Murray (2.18, .906) has started 23 of 26 games. Pavelich had three goals and Murray posted a 23-save shutout in Marshall's 5-0 win over the Blue Devils on Feb. 6. The Hilltoppers took fifth place at the Class A state tournament last season. ... Not including the prior loss to Marshall, the third-seeded Blue Devils have won 11 of their last 12 games. They handled Eveleth-Gilbert 5-2 in Friday's quarterfinals, continuing improvement in coach Reed Larson's third season.
Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl only won nine games a year ago. Travis Kemp (17-22-39) and Colton Anderson (16-23-39) tied for the team scoring lead, while another goaltending Murray, Lucas, posted a 2.34 GAA and .919 save percentage.
RICK WEEGMAN, NEWS TRIBUNE
HERMANTOWN (20-4-2) VS. DULUTH DENFELD (14-10-2)
What: Section 7A semifinal
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Where: IRA Civic Center, Grand Rapids
When: 7:30 p.m.
Outlook: The top-seeded Hawks rolled to a 9-0 win over International Falls behind Scott Wasbotten's three goals and two assists. Ryan Kero (18-24--42) and Nate Pionk (16-24--40) were the leading scorers during the regular season, while Wasbotten (16-17--33), Cole Koepke (17-11--28) and Kori Ochs (14-14--28) provided other scoring options. Jace Thomas (1.67,
.923) and Adam Smith (2.66, .895) have split time in goal for the four-time defending Class A runners-up, with Thomas needing to only stop 10 shots for his third shutout Friday. Kero has eight of the team's 29 power-play goals and added two short-handed goals. ... The fourth-seeded Hunters rallied to score three third-period goals to edge Hibbing-Chisholm 5-4 in another quarterfinal at Heritage Center. Tre Opack (17-15--32), Reid Lemker (15-22--37) and Wyatt Wutz tallied in the final-period comeback. Nick Thompson (12-16--28) and goalie Wes Cook (2.93, l895) also have been key to Denfeld's success, which includes a 4-4 tie with Hermantown. The Hawks also won 3-2 early in the season.
RICK WEEGMAN, NEWS TRIBUNE
