Class 2A boys' hockey quarterfinal preview: Burnsville vs. Wayzata

Scouting the Blaze: Playoff performances befitting his team's nickname saw senior forward Cade Borchardt ignite the Blaze with hat tricks in all three section games. A year ago, Borchardt and Burnsville endured a 10-1 section final drubbing by Edina. Humiliation became motivation. "Our kids decided that won't happen again," Blaze coach Janne Kivihalme said. Inspired summer workouts fed winter success. Beyond the high-scoring top line of Borchardt, Roman Ahcan and Eric Otto, the second line of Colton Kirschbaum, Brenden Larsen and Gavin Wagner emerged to give the team depth. Successful rematches down the stretch against Eastview, Rosemount and Lakeville South showed the team's growth.

Scouting the Trojans: Wayzata's brand of disciplined hockey — not the most aesthetically pleasing style — is a thing of playoff beauty. Finding a way to close out close games is the Trojans' strength. "Every game, our coaches say, 'Win the third period. Try to be the best third-period team in the state,' " senior co-captain Billy Duma said. "We know we're deep, and if we have a chance to win it in the third period, we usually do." Wayzata outscored teams by a combined 36-22 in the final period this season. Coach Pat O'Leary believes his team's second St. Paul visit in four seasons will have a different look. "We're going there for a reason," O'Leary said. "We have a good enough team to beat anybody."

Worth knowing: Borchardt's older brother Cole, who survived a 2014 car crash but endured major brain damage, assists the varsity by keeping statistics and offering players advice.