It's Tournament Time in Minnesota

You are hearing me loud and clear. Forget whatever anyone might say about state high school basketball tournaments in any Midwestern state. I'm certain they are good, and I've been in Indiana to know that people there will defend their game.

But here in the Lounge, that argument will not clear your tab. My money, and a few free beverages, go to the person who comes in and spreads the word on the state high school hockey tournament in Minnesota.

The long march through winter is almost over, and it's time to settle things on the ice before the Twins play outside for the first time since they left Metropolitan Stadium for the Dome. (Good luck to that, Twins. Don't forget the bug spray.)



The Class A bracket is set, with play in that group beginning Wednesday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Here's the lineup for play tomorrow. All games, according to the Minnesota State High School League, will be streamed live on the Web for free by 45.GrandStadium.tv. Did I say free? Indeed.

Mahtomedi vs. Alexandria (noon Eastern)
Hermantown vs. Virginia (2 Eastern)
Breck vs. New Ulm (7 Eastern)
Warroad vs. Rochester Lourdes (9 Eastern)

Action in Class AA commences on Thursday:

Edina vs. Roseau (noon Eastern)
Blaine vs. Apple Valley (2 Eastern)
Minnetonka vs. Lakeville North (7 Eastern)
Hill-Murray vs. Duluth East (9 Eastern)

The Lounge relies on Minnesota Hockey Hub and MinnHock.com for the word on the street and in the stands at the rink during this glorious week.

What? Bloomington Jefferson is not in the final eight? A certain former colleague, who shall remain named as Cyndi, has some explaining to do!

I guess I'll have to watch the Jaguars' game with Edina in the Section 2AA finals on MyFoxHockey to see what went wrong.

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