It’s a wee bit early to be talking about the state tournament, but this is the sort of matchup that would fit very comfortably as a Class 1A semifinal at the Xcel Energy Center.
No. 3-1A East Grand Forks stumbled out of the starting gate on Saturday, losing 4-2 at home to No. 8-1A Delano. One loss will do little to diminish the Green Wave, which outshot the Tigers 29-17, and figure to battle Warroad for Section 8A supremacy. Junior Jaksen Panzer and sophomore Grady Magner give East Grand Forks two dynamic scoring threats.
No. 4-1A Mahtomedi had one of the state’s most impressive opening weekends, beating traditionally strong Class 1A programs Monticello and Orono by scores of 6-0 and 6-1. Junior Charlie Drage scored five the Zephyrs’ 12 goals to put himself squarely among the state leaders.