Section 8A Bracketology

By: Timothy Oshie
Publisher

As it now stands, it is going to be a horse race down the stretch in Section 8A.

The front runners, Warroad and Park Rapids, have unblemished Section 8A records at 7-0-0 and 6-0-0, respectively. Only problem is the two programs do not face each other during the regular season. With the emergence of the Park Rapids Panthers hockey program the past few years, it will be safe to say this match-up could potentially become an annual home and away series.

Knocking on the door is the East Grand Forks Green Wave at 4-3-0, and the surprising Kittson-Central Wolfpack also at 4-3-0. EGF suffered a tough loss last night to its arch rivals, the Thief River Falls Prowlers at the Little Ralph, 4-2.

Kittson-Central has positioned itself as a Top 6 contender as well.

Bemidji, TRF and Red Lake Falls each have (6) points. The Prowlers have without a doubt played the tougher schedule to date amongst the three teams. With victories over Moorhead and EGF last night, Tim Berglund's squad will heat up and look forward to hosting the Section 8A Tournament in their barn this February.

Crookston took the league leading, Warroad Warriors, right down to the final moments last night in Crookston, with some spectacular goaltending by Matt Grove who steered aside 44 of 46 Warroad attempts. Lake of the Woods is always tough in the Section 8A Tourney and never say never when the Bears hit the ice.

Bagley and Walker-H-A have yet to notch a Section 8A win on the season.

Late January and early February usually brings sub-zero temperatures but the ice always seems to heat up.

Make sure the student bodies of each team come out and support the greatest Section in Class A, the northern boys of Minnesota and Section 8A.