DULUTH – Though a state tournament newcomer, the Andover boys' hockey team knows the drill.
Not long after routing Elk/River Zimmerman 8-1 in Thursday's Class 2A, Section 7 final at Amsoil Arena, Huskies' coach Mark Manney and his players made their case as the No. 1 seed in the Class 2A field.
"I think we've earned it," Manney said. "We haven't played a super-tough schedule the second half. But at the same time, this team accomplished a lot of great things. We led Class 2A in goals scored and fewest goals against – and power-play percentage.
"But we'll play whoever," Manney said. "The students want us to be the No. 2 seed so we get the 11 a.m. game, and they get out of school."
The bracket is selected Saturday morning. Andover has Elk River/Zimmerman coach Ben Gustafson's endorsement. A third-period goal from the No. 6 seed Elks (12-15) ended Andover's streak of 14 consecutive periods without giving up a goal.
"That's a special team," Gustafson said.
And a hungry team. No. 1 seed Andover (24-3-1) lost its past two section finals in overtime against Duluth East. But Thursday, the Huskies turned Amsoil Arena from a house of heartbreak to a historical site.
"Finally," senior defenseman Wyatt Kaiser said. "It means everything. We put in so much work for this and it's a dream come true."
