Forwards
Bump showed why he's widely regarded as the Mr. Hockey favorite — and then some. The Vermont recruit collected a hat trick before some fans had taken their seats, tucked in two more for good measure and walked out of the X with one of the all-time greatest state tournament performances to his name.
Anchoring Maple Grove's top line, Giuliani had two goals and four points Thursday. His efforts were a big piece of the relentless offensive surge by the Crimson that chipped away and eventually cracked the ultra-tight Edina defense.
Thoreson took a beating Thursday night. The junior was knocked down numerous times and clearly felt some of the bone-crushing hits Moorhead was dishing out.
That'll happen, though, since Thoreson usually has the puck.
Andover's leading goal-scorer tucked his 27th of the season in double overtime, sending the Huskies to the Class 2A semifinals.
Prior Lake senior forward Alex Bump stole the show Thursday at Xcel Energy Center, scoring five times to help Prior Lake to the Class 2A semifinals
Defensemen
The super sophomore only had one assist to his credit Thursday, but he was a rock on the defensive side of the puck and flashed his skill countless times to help Maple Grove roll by Edina.
Gruba is the definition of a modern defensemen — he's called on to smother the other team's best players, but he is expected to push offensively, too. He did both Thursday. Gruba scored a goal, had five shots on net and collected a game-high six blocks to help methodical No. 1 Hill-Murray to the semifinals.
Hill-Murray's Leo Gruba displayed his two-way abilities throughout the Pioneers' 3-2 win over Lakeville South Thursday.
Goaltender
Erickson, who didn't take over as the Pioneers' starting goalie until mid-January, looked like a seasoned veteran Thursday, stopping 32-of-34 shots to carry Hill-Murray to the Class 2A semifinals. His glove save midway through the third period on a Lakeville South 3-on-1 might hold up as the save of the tournament.
