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March 7th, 2025 | 1:00 PM CT | Class A Semifinals | @ Xcel Energy Center, St Paul MN

#1 Seed (7A) Hibbing/Chisholm Blue Jackets (20-9-0)
Hibbing/Chisholm got off to a strong start as they took care of Luverne in the Quarterfinal Round with ease. They were able to show off their skill and flash early and often in the 1st round game. Now however as they move into the State Semis for the first time since 2011 they will not have the same kind of time and space as they did on Wednesday in this one vs EGF and they will need to play gritty and tough to get the win.

Blue Jackets Leaders- Senior #3 Jace Kampsula (19-14-33 pts), Juniors #8 Tate Swanson (21-41-62 pts) & #5 Isaiah Hildenbrand (13-29-42 pts) and 9th grader #2 Cole Swanson (19-32-51 pts) lead an elite offensive attack for Hibbing. Junior #9 Ethan Sundvall (12-29-41 pts), Sophomore #28 Jackson Strukel (4-7-11 pts) & 9th grader #40 Whitaker Rewertz (9-9-18 pts) are gifted elite playmakers on blueline.

Blue Jackets Goalie- Senior #30 Rex Walli (14-5-0) 2.20 GAA .904 SV% has been this starter this year and he has been a key piece to their red hot finish this season as he has been at his best during their current impressive playoff run.

Blue Jackets Young Guns- The much hype young elite talent of Hibbing arrived down in St Paul under the big stage of the Tourney Spotlight with the #1 overall seed in style as they were able to score early and often in the State Quarterfinal win. Now they will need to buckle up for a different kind of game because EGF is going to want to slow things down and play what they call a “Man’s Game” and they will challenge the toughness of these Hibbing young guns but they have shown during this playoff run they can play this style of game as well and should be up for the test that this game will offer.

Blue Jackets Special Teams- The Power Play is at 31.6% and Penalty Kill is at 90.9 %

#4 Seed (8A) East Grand Forks Greenwave (14-13-2)
East Grand Forks won a physical Quarterfinal battle in their game vs Northern Lakes. Now they advance into the Semifinals for the first time since 2021 and they will get their shot at top seeded Hibbing. EGF will play a style that will look to slow down and rough up the young gun talent of the Blue Jackets. This is a team that has already beat the #1 Class A team in State so they will be ready and not intimidated here.

EGF Leaders- Seniors #7 Hunter Varnson (8-24-32 pts) & #9 Jace Van Eps (12-12-24 pts) and Juniors #6 Tucker Lovejoy (18-10-28 pts) & Sophomore #17 Jace Panzer (9-15-24 pts) lead the way up front. Seniors #2 Cole Bies (5-16-21 pts.), #11 Judd Pesch (2-9-11 pts) & #27 Nick Corbett (2-11-13 pts) anchor the blueline as they all have tons of varsity hockey experience under their belt.

EGF Goalie- Sophomore #1 Noah Schindele (13-10-2) 2.69 GAA .898 SV% won the job in net as the year went along but goaltending always seems to be the Achilles heel of EGF, but Schindele has been at his best in the playoffs.

EGF’s “Man’s Game” - Coach Tyler Palmiscno famously referred to EGF's style of play as a “Man's Game”. The Greenwave employ a rough and tough style as they will play a heavy game as they try to hit and check their opponents into submission using waves of depth that will not blow you away with skill and flash but they will make you earn every inch of ice. This is going to be a fun test to see how well they can slow down the speed and skill of Hibbing as they will look clog up the middle ice and not allow the Blue Jackets to run and gun and this will be a fun matchup of playing styles.

EGF Special Teams- The Power Play is at 22.3% and Penalty Kill is at 81.9 %

Nice passing play puts Hibbing up 1-0 @10:05.

EGF ties it up at 15:49.
Well,well, Hibbing scores 15:56. 2-1 'Jackets.
Jeez, 3-1 end of 1. Hibbing scores again with seconds left.
SOG 13-11 'Jackets.

Fun game. It feels more even than what the score indicates. Hibbing had the fluky goal that the EGF goalie couldn’t fully control the puck with his glove.

Hibbing scores on a rebound. 4-2.
5-2. This one is slipping away from EGF.

5-4
Might be over in Coleraine but Broncos don’t quit.

Wow. Suddenly it's a game. 5-4 Hibbing end of 2.

Crazy slugfest. Game still looks to be up for grabs. Just when you think Hibbing is in control, EGF says “No”.

5-5 11 sec. into 3rd period.
Now 6-5!
EGF is suddenly taking this game over.

Wow. This game turned to crap for Hibbing quickly

Lee

Hibbing seems to be getting the shaft. Somebody from EGF padded some pockets it appears.

4 goals in 2:45. Hibbing really needing the TV timeout.

The last time a team lost a Class A semifinal after having a three goal lead was St Cloud Cathedral in 2017, who had a 5-2 lead over Hermantown before the Hawks scored four straight to win 6-5 in ot

Lee

Total choke job by the Jackets…

Total choke job from those refs...wow they screwed the pooch!

Really wanted to see Hibbing lose to STA, I mean SCC tomorrow but now EGF will have that honor!

Congrats to EGF. Instead of folding after going down 5-2, they turned it on and took over.

Guess it was a green wave.

EGF brought the energy in the 3rd and Hibbing couldn’t match it. What a game though.

ryguyMN wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 3:54 pm EGF brought the energy in the 3rd and Hibbing couldn’t match it. What a game though.

As entertaining a game as we've had this tournament. Not the outcome I wanted but EGF deserved the win. Hopefully they can continue their run tomorrow afternoon.

Lee

I believe the Green Wave strength is depth.

They can wear you down by the third.

Hopefully they can bring it tomorrow.

I plan to be there.

If you're there, I'll try to find you Elliott.

southwestrink wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 3:44 pm Total choke job from those refs...wow they screwed the pooch!

Agree. That clown #6 from EGF should’ve been booted. Dirty as hell.

TTpuckster wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 4:32 pm I believe the Green Wave strength is depth.

They can wear you down by the third.

Hopefully they can bring it tomorrow.

I plan to be there.

If you're there, I'll try to find you Elliott.

I will be there - not sure where we will sit.
My grande likes club as his friends are usually up therrr.

I will post it on here

east hockey wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 3:27 pm The last time a team lost a Class A semifinal after having a three goal lead was St Cloud Cathedral in 2017, who had a 5-2 lead over Hermantown before the Hawks scored four straight to win 6-5 in ot

Lee

I was at that game.
After that collapse I consoled myself by going to Greenway's 50th anniversary of the '67 championship team celebration at Woodfire. Now THAT was fun!

Wow. Hopefully they can put this behind them and take 3rd place tomorrow. But Orono's recovery will be a lot easier than Hibbing's.
These situations always remind me of what Twins player Gary Gaetti said in '84 after the Twins blew a 7 game lead:
"It's hard to play with a hand around your throat" or something like that.
I didn't see the play you guys are talking about with the EGF guy.
Good luck to the 'Jackets tomorrow.