Today's boys hockey playoff game
LUVERNE (27-0-1) VS. HERMANTOWN (22-4-2)
What: Class A state tournament quarterfinal
When: 11 a.m.
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Where: Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul
Outlook: After four consecutive title-game losses to private-school adversaries St. Thomas Academy and Breck, Hermantown has to feel awfully good about its chances this time around. First things first, though, the second-seeded Hawks have to hand Luverne its first defeat of the season. Bruce Plante's team rolls into St. Paul playing some of its best hockey. Hermantown overwhelmed its three Section 7A playoff opponents by a combined 21-3, including a 6-2 victory over Duluth Marshall in the title tilt. In that game, Nate Pionk (20 goals, 28 assists, 48 points) had three of the top line's six goals. Ryan Kero (21-27-48) and Scott Wasbotten (21-21-42) had the others on a night that hammered home just how potent that trio can be. It's reminiscent of last year's Hermantown team, which relied heavily on its first line of Travis Koepke, Chris Benson and Bo Gronseth. Kori Ochs (15-16-31) and Cole Koepke (17-13-30) also are proven scorers for this year's Hawks. Goalies Adam Smith and Jace Thomas have split time between the pipes this season, with Smith, who dazzled in the 2013 postseason, getting the nod in the section final. Hermantown is making its fifth consecutive state tournament appearance, and 11th overall. ... Luverne doesn't hail from the state's toughest section (3A), but it's hard to overlook the Cardinals' season-long dominance. They lead Class A in goals per game (7.4), goals allowed per game (1.1) and average margin of victory (6.2). Chaz Smedsrud (38-49-87) is one of the state's most prolific offensive players, while Logan Norman (22-48-70), Jaxon Nelson (30-40-70) and Gunnar Olson 38-28-66) are no slouches. Smedsrud is a sophomore, while Nelson hasn't even entered high school -- he's in eighth grade. No. 1 goalie Kendall Meyer is 21-0-1 with a 1.16 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage. He's posted six shutouts. The only game Luverne didn't win this season was a tie against Class AA St. Michael-Albertville.
TV: WDIO Chs. 10&13
Radio: WKLK-FM 96.5, KQDS-AM 1490
Internet: Prep45.com
Tickets: Adults, $17; students, $11
LOUIE ST. GEORGE III, NEWS TRIBUNE
