2000:
Best Team: Elk River. But after building an early 4-0 lead in the section semi's, Osseo scores 5 unanswered to stun the Elks.
State Champs: Blaine. After losing 8-1 to Elk River a week before sections, #3 seed (in their SECTION) strolls through the playoffs with really only one close game, 4-3 over Hastings in the state semi's.
2001:
Best Team: Probably Elk River, but you could argue Jefferson (who beat ER) or Holy Angels. But Eastview (#3 seed in 5AA) gets past both of them and on to State.
State Champs: Elk River, like Blaine the year before, rolls through the playoffs with just a 4-3 state semi final win over Hastings as their only real test. Plude and Stewart put on a clinic.
2002:
Best Team: Apple Valley. Undefeated until the last week of the regular season, playing a tough schedule.
State Champs: Holy Angels. #3 seed in their section, knock off AV to go to state, Kronick scores 4 to beat Roseville at state, and the private school era begins.....
2003:
Best Team: Roseville or AHA (Stars had Taylor, E. Johnson, Hagemo, Frazee, Hummel, Kilpatrick, Carman) but we found out that its all about turning it on and playing your best in March as Anoka handled both of them at state.
State Champs: Anoka. They deserved it, but did they even produce a single D1 player off this team?
2004:
Best Team: Centennial. 2008 Roseau fans point to this year as your comparison. They played a so-so schedule but were no doubt the best team.
State Champs: Centennial. The only time in the last decade that we've had the 2 teams everyone wanted to see in the championship game. Stutz sets a tourney record with 3 shutouts and the best team wins.
2005:
Best Team: Moorhead (Not including class A Warroad). They just showed they are destined to never win a title. Lee, Van de Velde, Fisher, Ammerman, Johnson, etc., and another runner up trophy.
State Champs: Holy Angels. Stars were very good this year, but no one was picking them. Weird how everyone hates AHA but both titles they have won, they were underdogs at one point.
2006:
Best Team: I'll say AHA, but AV knocks them off in the section semi's, only to lose to Eagan in the finals.
State Champs: Cretin. I dont think they were on anyone's radar coming into the playoffs. They came out of a "soft" section and put their opponents (and a lot of fans) to sleep with their great defense.
2007:
Best Team: Moorhead, AHA, Edina? Spuds beat Roseau twice Handily during the regular season before losing in sections, AHA goes undefeated before running into Burnsville in sections, and Edina's super soph's are everyoen's pick to win state, but they are taken down by the '06 cinderella in the first round at state...... A lot of good seeding did at the state tourney.
State Champs: Roseau. Very fun team to watch, but who would have thought the road to a state championship would have went through Woodbury, Century, and Grand Rapids?
There you have it, upsets WILL happen! Who will upset the big boys this year?
With that said, my prediction for the AA state champ......
Roseau, in OT over Edina in the finals
