Round 1:
MontiQuois vs. Proctor
Proctor has improved tremendously over the course of the season. Big Luke Hannan has been a force at attack for the Rails this Spring. However, MontiQuois has the experience, they're deeper and they'll win this one. MontiQuois by 7 over Proctor.
Waconia vs. St. Louis Park
St. Louis Park is too strong for Waconia. St. Louis Park by 10 over Waconia.
Northfield vs. St. Paul
This should be a good game. Northfield has a good team with strong midfielders. St. Paul however is by far the best 3 seed in the MBSLA. St. Paul is a good team and will ride their attack to a win over a good Northfield team. I think it will be close. St. Paul by 2 over Northfield.
Providence Academy vs. Duluth
Duluth should be too strong for Providence. Playing in Duluth and experiencing the LOOOONNNGGG drive North that northern teams do on a regular basis down to the Cities should be the nail in the coffin for Providence. They'll sleepwalk through a quarter and by that time it will be too late to beat a good Duluth team, though Providence isn't a bad team. Duluth by 7 over Providence.
St. Cloud North vs. Fargo
This should be a good game and is a tough one to pick. I think Carter Schulke at attack for the Warriors will be the difference in this game and Fargo will provide a minor upset with a win over St. Cloud North - though it will be close. Fargo by 1 over St. Cloud North
Mankato vs. Hudson
We already know Hudson won this one 19-2. So, Hudson by 17 over Mankato
Shakopee vs. Henry Sibley
Same with this game, a 15-8 win for Shakopee. Shakopee by 7 over Sibley.
Becker vs. Grand Rapids
This game may be closer than expected. Becker isn't a bad team and we never know which Grand Rapids team we'll see - the team that thumped Shakopee and St. Louis Park or the one that lost to Proctor and almost lost to Waconia. I think we'll see the latter in this game (Mr Hyde). It will be a close one but... Grand Rapids by 3 over Becker
QUARTERFINALS:
Now it starts getting tough. Here goes...
MontiQuois vs. St. Louis Park
This should be a pretty good game. MontiQuois is still a good team and if Oliver Winsor can get on a roll scoring at attack, MontiQuois could challenge in this one. However, I think Siguenza dominates at the "X" and gets the ball to big Matt Harkema enough for the Orioles to move on. Plus, I see MontiQuois spending too much time in the penalty box which will be the dagger. Because of the penalty minutes, I think St. Louis Park wins this one fairly comfortably. St. Louis Park by 6 over MontiQuois.
Duluth vs. St. Paul
Ughhh. This is a tough one. This is a really good St. Paul team. They played Hudson tougher than anyone all season, coming close in both losses. This is a really good Duluth team too. I think Duluth squeaks by in this one because I think the Chargers have a little better defense. Duluth by 1 over St. Paul.
Fargo vs. Hudson
Fargo is an up and coming team with a few good players, but they don't have the depth. Hudson is a very good team. This one probably won't be close. Hudson by 10 over Fargo.
Shakopee vs. Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids seems to play to their competition. They beat a good Shakopee team handily earlier in the season and I see them doing it again in this game. We get the "Dr. Jekyll" Grand Rapids team this time. Grand Rapids will roll. Grand Rapids by 5 over Shakopee
SEMIFINALS:
Here we go! This is where heroes are made (in the prediction world anyway...):
St. Louis Park vs. Duluth
Oh no. This really IS a TOUGH one! This game could really go either way...it really could. Both of these teams are very good. I hate to do it (Northern Lights Lacrosse, eh!), but I'm going to pick St. Louis Park in this one. The difference: Duluth will have to travel 2+ hours to a neutral site for this one. They'll sleepwalk through the first quarter and the Orioles are WAY to good to allow Duluth to overcome an early deficit. Duluth will fight back, but in the end, St. Louis Park wins. How can you pick against them anyway? They've been in the MBSLA Championship game something like 5 of the last 6 years. They always rise to the occasion at the end of the season. St. Louis Park by 2 over Duluth.
Hudson vs. Grand Rapids
Two northern teams in the Final Four. How cool is that? Hudson is too strong however and their beast at "X" McKay Potter, will dominate again and Grand Rapids will not be able to get the possessions they'll need to pull off the upset. Hudson by 4 over Grand Rapids.
MBSLA Championship Game:
St. Louis Park vs. Hudson
This one is simple. Hudson dominated the regular season match ups and they'll do it again. We'll have a new state champion in the MBSLA in 2013. Hudson by 3 over St. Louis Park
STATE CHAMPION: HUDSON
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