2022 Section 2A Playoffs

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Who wins Section 2A?

Minneapolis
4
40%
Delano
5
50%
Orono
0
No votes
Providence Academy
0
No votes
Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato
0
No votes
Seeds #6-#11
1
10%
 
Total votes: 10

ClassAGuy
Posts: 2564
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2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by ClassAGuy » Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:01 am

Section 2A Official Seeding (11 Teams)
Team- (Overall Record)
1- Minneapolis- (18-6-1)
2- Delano- (18-7-0)
3- Orono- (11-13-1)
4- Providence Academy- (18-6-1)
5- Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato- (16-8-1)
6- Southwest Christian- (10-13-2)
7- Mound Westonka- (11-13-1)
8- Breck- (9-16-0)
9- Hutchinson- (10-14-1)
10- Waconia- (5-19-1)
11- Bloomington Kennedy- (6-18-1)

Section 2A Playoff Bracket
Play-In Round (2/22/22) @ High Seed
#9 Hutchinson 6 #8 Breck 3
#6 Southwest Christian 6 #11 Bloomington Kennedy 3
#7 Mound Westonka 3 #10 Waconia 2

Quarterfinals (2/24/22) @ High Seed
#1 Minneapolis 5 #9 Hutchinson 1
#4 Providence Academy 7 #5 Litchfield Dassel Cokato 3
#3 Orono 2 #6 Southwest Christian 1
#2 Delano 6 #7 Mound Westonka 2

Semifinals (2/26/22) @ St Louis Park Rec Center
#1 Minneapolis 5 #4 Providence Academy 1
#2 Delano 2 #3 Orono 1 2 OT

Section Final (3/2/2022) @ St. Louis Park Rec Center
#1 Minneapolis 3 #2 Delano 1

Section 2A Champions: Minneapolis (21-6-1)

2022 Section 2A Playoffs Preview

The Section 2A playoffs will be like a mini-state tournament, with the semifinals and championship sure to draw big crowds for games with off-the-charts intensity and drama at the St Louis Park Rec Center. This year the entertainment promises to be high quality yet again, only this time it’s starting in the quarterfinals, where newcomer Top 20 Class A ranked and 2021 State Participant Litchfield Dassel Cokato, the number 5 seed, squares off against Top 20 Ranked Class A number 4 seed Providence Academy. Or how about the fact that section #8 seed Breck, who has wins over MPLS-Providence Academy-LDC & SCC, would be maybe the favorite in their rematch with the #1 seed Minneapolis. The Section 2A Quarterfinal matchups could be the Section Final matchups in some Class A sections. This Sectional will be the most fun to watch throughout as there are plenty of capable teams looking to knock off 3 time defending 2A Champion #3 State Ranked Delano.

One of the teams is number 1 seed Minneapolis (18-6-1) who has had a magical season and definitely earned the #1 seed by knocking off Delano, Orono and Providence Academy to earn this section top seed. Their trio of Senior Forwards Jack Hanson, Zander Zoia & Evan Grimm all have scored double digit goals this winter. Add in the Junior blueline trio of Drew Pitts, Joel Hanson & Hank Davis along with the solid goaltending of Senior goaltender Alex Lamont and this team is well equipped to make a serious run in Section 2A and become the first team to reach State from the big city since 1994.

Number 2 seed Delano (18-7-0) has represented Section 2A 4 of the last 5 years and this version of the Tigers looks primed to carry on that tradition of being the Section best. The Trio of Seniors Gunnar Paulson & Jesse Peterson along with Junior Will Brown has provided just enough scoring for the deceive minded and structurally sound Tigers. Seniors Colin Lommel & Craig Halonen head up a very solid group of blueliners and the emergence of Junior Drew Dorsey in net who wrestled the starting job away from last year’s mainstay makes this Delano team look playoff ready. They are very well coached and know how to win the tight playoff games that are necessary to make it to the X through the State’s toughest section.

Number 3 seed Orono (11-13-1) comes into the playoffs with less than a fabulous record but they have played a very tough schedule this year. The Spartans showed with their low scoring win over Delano and tight OT loss to Minnepaolis they can compete with the Sections best. The Spartans are led by their Junior trio of leading scorers Bradley Walker & Avery Anderson up front and Goaltender Brock Peyton who can hold the Spartans in every game. For them to make a serious run though they will need to find secondary scoring outside of the duo mentioned earlier which has been a serious challenge for the Spartans all winter.

Number 4 seed Providence Academy (18-6-1) started the year off with a mediocre (2-2-0) start after that they went on a tear going (15-2-1) in their next 18 games to garner a Top 10 ranking before crashing hard right before playoff time. We know the Lions can score; they have four forwards in Juniors Johnny Hendrickson & Andrew Owen along with sophomore forwards Louie Wehmann & Sammy Lewis all who have double digit goals. Add in senior blueliner John Reller who has 10 goals himself from the back end and the Lions offense is ultra potent. Finding their mainstay netminder though has been hard as they have rotated between Junior Nate Miest and Sophomore Evan Villagomez. If Providence Academy wants to make program history and reach the X for the 1st time ever they will need to be better in tight low scoring games then they have shown in the regular season.

Number 5 seed Litchfield Dassel Cokato (16-8-1) had high hopes entering the offseason last spring as they were coming off a State Tournament bid and they would bring back almost every member of their team to make a very good senior core and would be the undoubted Section 3A Favorite. Then section realignment took them to 2A and Dassel Cokato made an extended football run to State Title and the Dragons got off to a slow (2-4-0) start. However, this senior heavy team found their footing in mid-year and went (14-4-1) in their last 19 games. Senior Zachary Zwilling and Jack Hillman led them up front and Senior Gavyn Lund and Grant Grochow lead the blueline for the veteran group that could be the darkhouse to make a surprise playoff run through 2A and return to state after all.

Number 6 seed Southwest Christian (10-13-2) has had a disappointing year coming in having high expectations with a good core returning from the year before. However, the Stars have really struggled scoring Forwards Junior Caleb Bendell and Senior Andrew Erhart have done their part to lead the team in scoring and Senior defenseman Brody Hardacre has been as good as advertised on the blue line something is just missing with this group and they lack depth it seems. They have played a ton of tight games and will be no easy out in the playoffs but again a team that I don’t know if they have enough to string together three wins in this very tough and deep section.

Number 7 seed Mound Westonka (11-13-1) has had an up and down year; they have shown moments of looking like a contender but overall they haven't been able to sustain consistently good play. Their top three players returning have done their part as forwards Senior Michael Doshan & Junior Max Krebsbach have a agin put up eye popping numbers and Senior defender Cooper Kantola has had a really nice senior season they haven't got much help from anyone else and the goaltending has been a huge problem as well.

Number 8 seed Breck (9-16-0) has had a rough year after their resurgence last winter. The Mustangs have shown though even in their disappointing year they should not be totally overlooked. They have wins over 3 of the top 5 seeds in 2A, Minneapolis, Providence & LDC, on their resume and they are led by stud Senior defenseman Carter Theissen and Senior netminder Jack Thomson who can stop 50 shots on any given night. Breck will be a tough first round opponent why they may not have enough to make a Section Title run; they could produce an upset or two along the way.

Number 9 seed Hutchinson (10-14-1) went from perennial 3A contender to Section 2A cellar dweller this winter. The Tigers have two outstanding seniors in Brady Knorr and Karson Starett who carry the offensive load and they also have a pair of freshmen in forward Emmett Reiter & defenseman Toren Miller who both look to have promising high school careers. However, the goaltending has been a nightmare and they have tried using Five different players and have failed to find that starter that is needed to make any kind of a push in this tough section.

Number 10 seed Waconia (5-19-1) is another team having a tough year. The Wildcats have gotten good years from leading scorers Junior Brett Siddons and Senior Tyson Wiese but they have not been able to again string together any kind of constituent play to be considered a real threat in section as deep and tough as 2A.

Number 11 seed Bloomington Kennedy (6-18-1) has had rough go of it they do feature a pair of Dosan Boys, Logan and Luke, who are very good Senior defenders and Senior Tyler Jost and Junior Clayton Deutsch have provided some good offensive punch up front but again a team that doesn’t have the depth or goaltending to make a run in Class A’s toughest Sectional.
Last edited by ClassAGuy on Thu Mar 03, 2022 7:47 am, edited 5 times in total.

ClassAGuy
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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by ClassAGuy » Sun Feb 20, 2022 3:18 pm

Section 2A Playoffs Play-In Games (2/22/2022)

#9 seed Hutchinson (10-14-1) vs #8 seed Breck (9-16-0) @ Breck Anderson Ice Arena, Golden Valley, MN
When Hutchinson and Breck back in late January they played one of the more entertaining games of the year. Breck jumped out to 4-1 lead in the first but Hutchinson countered with a 2 goal second period and then Breck hung on to win a wild high scoring game in the third by a score of 6-5. Break normally likes to play lower scoring games and they will need a better night from Senior goaltender Jack Thomson this time around. Meanwhile, Hutchinson will look to out-score the Mustangs behind their outstanding seniors duo of Brady Knorr and Karson Starett. This one should be another very entertaining game.

#11 seed Bloomington Kennedy (6-18-1) vs #6 seed Southwest Christian (10-13-2) @ Richfield Ice Arena, Richfield, MN
This game looks to have the makings of upset written all over it. When these two teams met earlier this year at Richfield Arena Bloomington Kennedy carried the play and Southwest Christian was lucky to get out of the game with a 2-2 tie. Add in that lately the Stars have really struggled of late and their Achilles heel all year is that they can't score to put teams away. Bloomington Kennedy plays a AA heavy conference schedule and will be able to stick around and this one could be a big #11 seed upset win if the Stars are not careful.

#10 seed Waconia (5-19-1) vs #7 seed Mound Westonka (11-13-1) @ Thaler Hockey Arena, Mound, MN
These two teams did not meet during the regular season and seem to be heading in different directions. While Mound Westonka enters the playoffs on a recent hot streak winning their last 4 games Waconia has really struggled down the stretch going (1-11-1) in their last 13 games. Mound Westonka will rely on forwards Senior Michael Doshan & Junior Max Krebsbach to keep up their high scoring pace while Waconia will need a big night from Junior goaltender Matthew Johnson to keep them in the game.

ClassAGuy
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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by ClassAGuy » Thu Feb 24, 2022 12:05 pm

Section 2A Playoffs Play-In Games (2/23/2022) Recaps

Hutchinson 6 Breck 3
Hutchinson provided one of the bigger surprises of the early playoff rounds when they upset Breck. The Mustangs appeared to be taking over the game when they scored two goals in the 2nd period to take the 2-1 lead. However, it would be all Hutchinson after that as they were led by senior duo of Brady Knorr and Karson Starett who had a combined 8 points on the night to help the Tigers pull the upset and move on to the Section 2A Quarterfinals.

Southwest Christian 6 Bloomington Kennedy
In a very competitive and back and forth game Southwest Christian was eventually able to pull away in the third period to pick up the tough win over Bloomington Kennedy. The Stars used the 2 goal nights of Andrew Erhart and Caleb Bendell to eventually pull away and display some uncharacteristic offensive punch. Now they will head to #3 seed Orono for what should be a very entertaining 2A Quarterfinal Round Game.

Mound Westonka 3 Waconia 2
The White Hawks pulled out a very tough win over upset minded Waconia. Mound Westonka was able to score a goal in all three periods and Junior Max Krebsbach scored what would go on to be the game winning goal in the third period to put his White Hawks up 3-1. Waconia would not give in though as they scored to make it 3-2 but were unable to get it tied up. Mound Westonka now turns their attention to their long time WCC rival as they head to Delano for the 2A Quarterfinals.

ClassAGuy
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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by ClassAGuy » Thu Feb 24, 2022 1:45 pm

Section 2A Playoffs Quarterfinal Games (2/24/2022)

#9 seed Hutchinson (11-14-1) vs #1 seed Minneapolis (18-6-1) @ Parade Ice Garden, Minneapolis, MN
These two teams played at Ridder Arena in late January and Minneapolis coasted to a very easy 6-0 win. Hutchinson will be looking to prove that they did not play their best game on that night. They will come feeling confident after they upset Breck the night before. Minneapolis will be playing with the top seed for the first time and see how they handle that kind of pressure as this will not be your normal 1 vs 8 game that you see in most Class A sections with the winner advancing to the 2A Semifinals.

#5 seed Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato (16-8-1) vs #4 seed Providence Academy (18-6-1) @ Plymouth Arena, Plymouth, MN
These two teams did not meet during the year and they pose a very interesting match up of two top 20 ranked teams. LDC comes in playing its best hockey now after a slow start to the year and have tons of playoff experience with many on this group having played in the State Tournament last year. Providence Academy on the other hand started off hot but really struggled down the stretch and doesn't have much playoff success in their history. This will be a good battle, maybe the top quarterfinal in all of Class A this playoff year. Should be a fun one to see who wins and moves on to the Semis.

#6 seed Southwest Christian (11-13-2) vs #3 seed Orono (11-13-1) @ Orono Ice Arena, Orono, MN
These two teams did not meet during the season however they play a very similar low scoring style. Last year in the playoffs Orono upset SWC as the 6 seed so the Stars will be looking for some revenge there. Orono will let you stay in the game as outside of Bradley Walker the Spartans offense doesn't provide much of a punch. Neither does the Stars offense though and this will be a low scoring game that could go either way as these two teams battle to get to the 2A Semifinals.

#7 seed Mound Westonka (12-13-1) vs #2 seed Delano (18-7-0) @ Delano Area Ice Arena, Delano, MN
These two played twice during the year with Delano sweeping the season series but these teams normally play very tight low scoring structured games. The Tigers did blow out the White Hawks the last time they played but I would expect to see more of the 2-1 win Delano got the first time around. Delano has been playing really good hockey and is looking to win its fourth straight Section 2A Crown while Mound Westonka is just looking to spoil their season.

ClassAGuy
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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by ClassAGuy » Thu Feb 24, 2022 10:40 pm

Section 2A Playoffs Quarterfinal Games (2/24/2022) Recaps

Minneapolis 5 Hutchinson
Minneapolis jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first period over the Tigers. Hutchinson did battle back to cut the lead to 3-1 but Minneapolis was able to put the game away in the third period. Jack Hanson had a big 4 point night to lead Minneapolis to the win and they will now had to the Section 2A Semifinals on Saturday.

Providence Academy 7 Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato 3
Providence Academy and LDC traded blows back and forth and the Lions led 4-3 after 2 really good periods of play. Then it was Providence Academy who put the game away with 3 unanswered goals in the third period. Sophomore Louie Wehmann had the big night offensively for the Lions as he had 4 points and now they move on the the Section 4A Semifinals.

Orono 2 Southwest Christian 1
A predicted Orono and SWC squared off in a very low scoring and physical hockey game. With the game tied at 1-1 after two periods, it was the Spartans Sophomore John Engebrettson who scored his second goal of the game that would be the Game winning goal and Brock Peytong shut the door from there as he has done all season. The Spartans will now head to the Section 2A Semifinals to take on their long time rivals Delano.

Delano 6 Mound Westonka 2
The Tigers built up a solid 5-0 lead and for a team as structured and well coached as Delano that was all they would need. Mound Westonka did put in two goals late but that would not be nearly enough. Delano cruised to the win and now will get a shot at a rematch with Orono who handed the Tigers one of their most disappointing losses of the year. No better way to settle the score then beat them in the 2A Playoffs when it matters most.

ClassAGuy
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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by ClassAGuy » Fri Feb 25, 2022 10:49 am

Section 2A Playoffs Semifinal Games (2/26/2022)

#4 seed Providence Academy (19-6-1) vs #1 seed Minneapolis (19-6-1) @ St. Louis Park Rec Center, St. Louis Park, MN
These two teams met way back on Dec 7th and the game was tied 2-2 after 1 period of play. Minneapolis would go on to score 6 unanswered goals in the 2nd and 3rd period to rout Providence Academy in a game that really spring boarded them to their outstanding year. Now they meet again and the Lions bring in a very potent offensive Junior duo Johnny Hendrickson (who missed the 1st game vs MPLS) & Andrew Owen along with Sophomore duo Louie Wehmann & Sammy Lewis all have produced nearly 40 point seasons. Minneapolis is led by their trio of Senior forwards Jack Hanson, Zander Zoia & Evan Grimm along with a good back end that has a trio of Juniors Drew Pitts, Joel Hanson & Hank Davis. I don’t see this one being a blowout in the rematch. Providence did struggle late in the year and against better teams that why Minneapolis looks like the favorite but this one should be a very good game to lead off the night for the Section 2A Semifinals

#3 seed Orono (12-13-1) vs #2 seed Delano (19-7-0) @ St. Louis Park Rec Center, St. Louis Park, MN
These two rivals have met in some big games over the past 6 years when it comes to Section 2A supremacy the road runs through Delano & Orono since the decline of the Breck program. When these two met back before Christmas time Delano played right into the hands of Orono’s muck it up physical low scoring style. There is always so much emotion in this game and I really think we are looking at a barn burner here on Saturday night. Orono will stay in the game due to their Junior duo Bradley Walker who scores the big goals and Brock Peyton who is rock solid in net. Delano has the talent and depth edge here and they will need their trio of Seniors Gunnar Paulson & Jesse Peterson along with Junior Will Brown up front to solve Peyton and they should have the edge in the rematch here. Again though when these two met throughout who looks better on paper as it is always a heated game and this one should be a great Section 2A Semifinal.

ClassAGuy
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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by ClassAGuy » Sun Feb 27, 2022 11:46 am

Section 2A Playoffs Semifinal Games (2/26/2022) Recaps

Minneapolis 5 Providence Academy 1
Minneapolis brough quite the crowd to the SLP Rec Center on Saturday night and they gave their large fanbase quite the treat as they advanced to the Section Final for the first time in its co-opt history. They were able to jump out 1-0 on a Jack Hanson goal but Providence would respond and tie the game 1-1 late in the 2nd period on a Powerplay goal. With the score tied at 1-1 in the 3rd Senior Evan Grimm & Junior Andrew Lybeck stole the show as they each had a goal and an assist to lead Minneapolis to the big 5-1 win as they scored four unanswered goals. They and their large and loud fan base will now head to the Section Finals looking and hoping to get the big city back in the State tournament for the first time since 1994.

Delano 2 Orono 1 2 OT
The story of this game was the outstanding play of Junior Orono goaltender rBrock Peyton who stopped 65 of 67 shots and nearly helped Orono pull an improbable upset in a game they were dominated in from start to finish. It looked like for a long time Orono’s 1-0 lead might stand however, a small breakdown in the last 30 seconds of 2nd period allowed Delnao to tie the game or they very well may have never scored because it was not until Gunnar Paulson scored early in double overtime on a rebound goal off of a WIll Brown shot that would give the Tigers a very hard fought win. The victory sends Delano into the section final for the seventh time in the last nine seasons and Delano has won four of the previous five section titles.

ClassAGuy
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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by ClassAGuy » Sun Feb 27, 2022 11:46 am

Section 2A Playoffs Championship Game (3/2/2022)

#2 seed Delano (20-7-0) vs #1 seed Minneapolis (20-6-1) @ St. Louis Park Rec Center, St. Louis Park, MN
This one appears to be the top Class A Section final matchup of all eight which we expected from this very deep section when these two Top 5 Ranked teams do battle on Wednesday night. They met early this year and Minneapolis used a quick start to race out to a 2-0 lead and they would hold on to it for a 2-1 win. However, Delano has much more experience in the big game as this is their 7th Section Final appearance in the last 9 year and they have won the last 3 in a row. Minneapolis has never been in this game and that could play a factor and what is always an emotional rollercoaster game. Both teams are well built MPLS with their trio of Senior Forwards Jack Hanson, Zander Zoia & Evan Grimm all have scored double digit goals and their solid trio of Junior blueliners of Drew Pitts, Joel Hanson & Hank Davis who all move the puck and defend well. Delano counters their own trio of forwards in Seniors Gunnar Paulson & Jesse Peterson along with Junior Will Brown their deceive minded and structurally sound team is led on the backend by Seniors Colin Lommel & Craig Halonen. This matchup appears to be classic in the making MPLS brought a HUGE crowd to the Semis and Delano is alway well followed this will be the hottest Class A Sectional Final ticket to get in what should be an absolute classic game.

ClassAGuy
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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by ClassAGuy » Thu Mar 03, 2022 7:47 am

Section 2A Playoffs Championship Game (3/2/2022) Recap

Minneapolis 3 Delano 1
Minneapolis grabbed the lead after 2 periods of play with two goals from sophomore forward John Bebler which ignited the Minneapolis crowd. Jesse Peterson cut defending section champion Delano’s deficit to 2-1 at 8:34 of the third period and gave the Tigers a jolt. However, Zander Zoia grabbed the game’s energy right back for Minneapolis with a goal just 73 seconds later and Senior goalie Alex Lamont made 30 saves and sent Minneapolis into the state tournament for the first time since Edison qualified in 1994.

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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by BlueLineSpecial » Thu Mar 03, 2022 7:52 am

Does anyone know why Minneapolis doesn't have a team nickname? Weren't they the Novas for many years? Do they plan to stick with the no nickname thing or is there a re-branding that is taking place and they just haven't come up with a good name?
The City of Hill Murray is beautiful this time of year

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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by jdh » Thu Mar 03, 2022 5:16 pm

What caused the ruckus at the end of the game?

ClassAGuy
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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by ClassAGuy » Thu Mar 03, 2022 5:33 pm

jdh wrote:
Thu Mar 03, 2022 5:16 pm
What caused the ruckus at the end of the game?
Delano player got very close to the goaltender in the crease and the MPLS goalie took a nice chop at his legs as time expired weird scene 3/4 of MPLS team celebrating the greatest win in the co-opt history and then there was a little brawl between a few MPLS and Delano kids. Refs threw the Delano kids off and didnt appear to want to give the MPLS kids a fighting major which it easily could of been and then MPLS celebrated the win the full team.

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Re: 2022 Section 2A Playoffs

Post by skiumah » Thu Mar 03, 2022 7:05 pm

ClassAGuy wrote:
Thu Mar 03, 2022 5:33 pm
jdh wrote:
Thu Mar 03, 2022 5:16 pm
What caused the ruckus at the end of the game?
Delano player got very close to the goaltender in the crease and the MPLS goalie took a nice chop at his legs as time expired weird scene 3/4 of MPLS team celebrating the greatest win in the co-opt history and then there was a little brawl between a few MPLS and Delano kids. Refs threw the Delano kids off and didnt appear to want to give the MPLS kids a fighting major which it easily could of been and then MPLS celebrated the win the full team.

From what I saw...the Mpls defenseman is skating backwards towards his net with about :03 seconds left. The Delano forward is moving towards the Mpls player, who is unaware, and takes an unprovoked shot by cross checking him. This pushes the Mpls D back into the his goalie. And then a skirmish takes place. Refs did the right thing.

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