Maple Grove boys hockey ready for state tourney

The Maple Grove boys hockey team is on its way to a third consecutive state tournament. The 3-seed Crimson open play Thursday at 1 p.m. vs. Edina.

Maple Grove enters the state tourney having won 12 of its last 13 games.

KSTP Sports stopped by the Crimson’s practice on Friday and spoke with coach Todd Bergland and players Josh Giuliani, Sawyer Skanson, and Toby Hopp. To say there’s excitement heading into Thursday’s quarterfinal matchup would be an understatement.

Maple Grove beat Rogers in the section finals to earn a trip to St. Paul.

***Click the video box above to watch our conversations with coach and players***

The preview of Thursday’s quarterfinal match-up, courtesy of the Minnesota State High School League:

Edina (20-8) vs. No. 3 Maple Grove (21-6-1), Thursday 1 p.m. — Edina, seemingly a perennial entrant in the state tournament, is making its 29th trip. The Hornets outscored three opponents in the Section 6AA playoffs by a combined 14-0. Senior left wing Trey Fechko leads a balanced Hornets’ attack with 20 goals and 20 assists. Junior right wing Jimmy Clark has 15 goals and 21 assists.

In the season-opener, Maple Grove lost to Edina 6-5 in overtime. The Crimson finished second in the Northwest Suburban Conference. Junior Landen Gunderson has 19 goals and 53 assists. Junior left wing Finn Brink has a team-best 26 goals.

Maple Grove lost in overtime in the semifinals last year to Eden Prairie.