Michael Rand: Faces change, but tourney's excellence doesn't

The best things in life are those that are familiar without growing predictable -- those we never take for granted but can always count upon to deliver.

Is there a better compliment -- or a greater truth -- to utter about the boys' state hockey tournament than to describe it in exactly such a manner?

Another four days of hockey bliss came and went, just as it has for more than 60 years. Sure, there have been subtle changes over time. Those just give veteran tournament-goers more things to argue about.

Another year to witness the passion bursting in the not-so-subtly jammed corridors of Xcel Energy Center and in the back-and-forth volleys in the stands. Another year of teens clustered in groups of four to six, eyeing other teens in other groups because this is an event.

Another year of nuances, history and superstitions about snowstorms. Another year of "Hi mom," of boys playing bigger than their years.

Another year of little things like Hill-Murray players screaming their lungs out while The Outfield's "Your Love" -- a somewhat obscure song that came out in 1985, well before any of the players were born -- blares in the locker room.

Another year of the smell of hockey equipment. It hits you several steps before you reach the actual locker rooms at Xcel and doesn't let go.

Another year of the same people, the hockey people. Another year of conjuring up the names Spehar, Mayasich, Boucha, and on and on and on.

Another year of the same arguments, picked up right where they left off.

Another year of picking sides based on the same things: public schools vs. private schools, upper class vs. working class, metro vs. all points beyond.

But when the puck drops, all anyone really wants are four days, 51 minutes at a time (if they're lucky, a few more in overtime) of beautifully played hockey. As it always does, this year's state tournament -- capped by Saturday's Class 2A title game -- delivered the goods.

There were epic battles between historical forces: Hill-Murray and Edina have combined for 46 state tournament appearances; Roseau, which Hill-Murray defeated Friday, has been to state 32 times.

There were indelible images of Cadets saluting; there was a Friday evening session that somehow lived up to its billing and gave us the game of the tournament (Edina 5, Benilde-St. Margaret's 4, OT, as if it needed an explanation). There was the stunning moment in Saturday's Class 2A final when Ryan Furne's seemingly innocent shot from beyond the blue line sneaked under Edina goalie Derrick Caschetta's right arm and into the net, with 0.1 seconds showing on the first-period clock.

There were players who, as they always do, rose to the occasion. Joe Phillippi, Ryan Furne, Dan Sova, Joe Gleason: I'm looking at you, but not just at you.

Some of the teams will change next year, as will the names on the backs of jerseys. But the feeling from the past four days? Mark it down for 2009.

Never take it for granted, but know the boys' state hockey tournament will always deliver.

Michael Rand• mrand@startribune.com