Minnetonka vs Moorehead

Minnetonka and Moorhead Set for Heavyweight Clash in Class AA State Championship

It all comes down to this.

The No. 1 Minnetonka Skippers (26-2-2) and the No. 2 Moorhead Spuds (26-3-1) meet Saturday night for the MSHSL Class AA state championship at Grand Casino Arena, with puck drop set for 7 p.m.

Two of the best teams in Minnesota all season.
One final game.
One trophy.

Moorhead enters as the defending Class AA champion, still riding the momentum from last year when the Spuds captured the first state title in program history. Now they’re back on the biggest stage again with a chance to repeat.

A big reason why is senior forward Tyden Bergeson, a Mr. Hockey finalist who has been one of the most dangerous players in the state all year. Bergeson leads the Spuds with 80 points this season (29 goals, 51 assists) and has been the engine behind Moorhead’s offense.

The Spuds punched their ticket to the title game Friday night with a 3-1 semifinal win over Edina, locking things down defensively before pulling away in the third period.

Minnetonka had to take the longer road to get there.

The Skippers survived a wild semifinal against Rosemount, winning 4-3 in overtime in one of the tournament’s most intense games. That win sends Minnetonka back to the championship game as they look to add another banner to the program’s history.

Minnetonka already owns two state titles, winning it all in 2020 and 2023.

Offensively, the Skippers are led by sophomore forward Cash Hardie, who tops the team with 36 points (19 goals, 17 assists) this season.

Between the pipes, Minnetonka leans on goaltender Chase Jerdee, a Frank Brimsek Award nominee, given annually to the top senior goalie in Minnesota high school hockey.

Two top seeds.
Two programs with championship expectations.
And one more night under the lights at the state tournament.

Saturday night will decide who leaves St. Paul with the Class AA crown.

Ways to watch:

https://kstp.com/45tv/prep45/mshsl-tournaments/