Northern Hockey

Could it be an all-northern final in both classes?

Class "A" boasts Hermantown vs. Duluth Marshall, and St. Paul is a long way to travel to play a neighbor, don't you think?

In class "AA," Roseau has earned its umteenth trip to the final, and as of now, Grand Rapids leads Burnsville 1-0 after the 1st period. Call it the "Politically Correct Playoff" as it features two teams that changed names to appease a special interest group. The Burnsville "Blaze" used to be the "Braves," and the Grand Rapids "Thunderhawks" used to be the "Indians."

I'm pulling for Grand Rapids and not just because their star player, Patrick White (pictured), is headed for the Gophers next year. Grand Rapids was beaten in the final last year by Cretin-Durham Hall, but not before they beat Roseau in the quarter-final. An all-north "AA" final would suit me just fine.

And, oh ya, Gophers beat Anchorage tonight too.

God I love this shite.

UPDATE: Make that 2-0 Grand Rapids, halfway through the 2nd.

UPDATE II: What a finish! 3-0 until just under 3 minutes left. Then, Burnsville scored three goals in just over 2 minutes to send it to the extra session. 1:09 into overtime, Pat White carries it into the corner, sends a centering pass to Sam Rendle, and he buries one in the upper right corner. Hat's off to the Braves, they really turned it up late, and took advantage of a sleepy Grand Rapids squad.

Grand Rapids vs. Roseau. Lots of history between those two teams, but the last time they met in the championship was 1990.

Of the four finalists, not one is from south of Duluth. Fabulous.

(Photo: Star Trib)