Class AA State Tournament seedings and pairings

The top four seedings were determined as the following for Class AA:

1. Minnetonka
2. Edina
3. Blaine
4. Hill-Murray

I would have put Hill-Murray at #2, Edina #3. Hill-Murray and Edina did not play head-to-head this season. Hill-Murray had a better record. Everything apparently went through how Blaine did. Blaine defeated Hill-Murray in the Schwan Cup over the Christmas break. Blaine lost twice to Edina.

I do think Edina played a tougher schedule but you do still have to win. In my opinion, Edina's loss to Cretin-Derham Hall was a 'bad loss' to an unranked team. Hill's losses were to two top 10-ranked teams, albeit St. Thomas Academy is in Class A.

In that Blaine vs. Hill-Murray game in the Schwan Cup, Blaine won 6-4. It was the most goals that Tim Shaughnessy and Hill-Murray gave up in one game all season. Hill-Murray outshot Blaine 32-21.

I know that the coaches and the MSHSL had a tough decision to make but I believe Hill-Murray would have made a better #2-seed.

Pairings for the Class A State Tournament Quarterfinals on Thursday:

Top bracket:
Edina (20-6-2) vs. Roseau (22-5-1), 11AM
Blaine (21-4-3) vs. Apple Valley (17-11-0), 1PM

Lower bracket:
Minnetonka (25-1-2) vs. Lakeville North (11-15-2), 6PM
Hill-Murray (25-2-1) vs. Duluth East (19-5-4), 8PM

I will have the bracket up on the site sometime today.