The beautifully remodeled Centennial Sports Arena was packed for Centennial’s much-anticipated matchup last Saturday against Andover. Packed as in the individual seats in the bleachers were full, spots on the concourse rail were all taken and faces were plastered to most every available spot on the glass.
The hometown fans didn’t get the result they were so anxious to see — Andover won 7-4 on the strength of a big third period. But from the venue to the on-ice talent Centennial checked all the boxes of an elite program.
Not surprising, given that No. 12-2A Centennial (11-3-1) has been an upper-echelon team for years. Same goes for Blaine, the Cougars’ longtime rival from the other side of I-35W. The Sports Arena should be bustling-to-the-max again for Thursday’s meeting between the teams that long toiled together out of Section 5AA but no longer face the prospect of meeting a third time in the playoffs. No. 20-2A Blaine (10-4-3) has been moved to Section 7AA starting this season.
From goaltender Jack Fuller to defenseman Matt Everson to a platoon of skilled forwards led by the nitro fueled A.J. Carls (22 points) and rugged Owen Van Tassel (36 points), the Cougars pass the eye test of a state tournament team.
Blaine has all the tourney-required components, too, starting with star goaltender Ryan Wallin and high-scoring defenseman Finn Loftus (28 points) and including the junior forward duo of Luke and Landon Steffen (combined 39 points).