MSHSL Receiving Criticism Over Decision Regarding Girls State Hockey Tournament

(KDLM) – Ahead of the potentially record-setting snowfall heading toward the Twin Cities this week, the MSHSL has said that they have no plans on delaying or postponing the Girls State Hockey Tournament, which is scheduled to begin at the Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday.

The Twin Cities is expected to receive more than two feet of snow in the blizzard. Governor Tim Walz has activated the National Guard to assist stranded motorists in a peacetime emergency declaration.

The big issue for the MSHSL is facility availability, making rescheduling the four-day tournament nearly impossible.

“As we consider all of the factors that go into this from the workers that are onsite, the availability of the facility, to where we are in the season, the students and what else they have going on it makes it very, very difficult for us to move off of our scheduled time period.”

The Girls State Hockey Tournament continues a very busy stretch of MSHSL state tournaments. Following last weekend’s State Dance competition, the girls hockey tournament is followed by State gymnastics (February 24-25 at the neighboring Roy Wilkins Auditorium), state wrestling (March 2-4 also at the Xcel Energy Center), the boys state hockey tournament (March 8-11), girls state basketball (March 15-18) and boys state basketball (March 21-25).

Not to mention the X will host Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on Sunday, March 5th following State wrestling, and the NCHC Frozen Faceoff on March 16-18.

“There aren’t a lot of great other options, obviously. It’s not just one contest between two teams, which we could move a number of different places because of our centralized plan for our state tournament,” Martens said. “It does become difficult to make changes. Our host cities, and host venues, do a great job for us. And they too believe the best plan is to continue forward with the schedule that’s put in place.”

Residents of the Twin Cities and much of southern Minnesota have been advised to stay home over the next few days, with blizzard conditions expected in central and west-central Minnesota.

MSHSL Girls State Hockey Tournament Schedule:

Class A – Wednesday quarterfinals

• #2 Proctor/Hermantown vs. Mankato East – 11 a.m.
• #3 Orono vs. Luverne – 1 p.m.
• #1 Warroard vs. Albert Lea – 6 p.m.
• #4 South St. Paul vs. #5 Fergus Falls – 8 p.m.

Class AA – Thursday quarterfinals

• #2 Andover vs. Rosemount – 11 a.m.
• #3 Edina vs. Lakeville North – 1 p.m.
• #1 Minnetonka vs. Centennial/Spring Lake Park – 6 p.m.
• #4 Gentry Academy vs. #5 Moorhead – 8 p.m.