Duluth East Pulls off Biggest Upset in Quarterfinals of State Boys Hockey Tourney

This year's Cinderella is a dog at the state boys hockey tournament. The Greyhounds of Duluth East upset St. Thomas Academy to become the only unseeded team to advance to the semifinals.

The Class AA teams took to the ice at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday at the 71st annual boys state high school hockey tournament. Duluth East spoiled St. Thomas Academy's debut with the big schools with a 6-5 come-from-behind overtime win. The Cadets opted up to AA after dominating the Class A field in recent years. The 'hounds rallied from an early 3-0 deficit.

The Greyhounds advance to play defending state champ Edina in the semifinals. The Hornets built a quick 3-0 lead on Bemidji, but the Lumberjacks closed to within one goal late in the game. Edina added an empty net goal for a 6-4 win.

Unbeaten and top-ranked Lakeville North pulled away from Hill-Murray 4-1. The Panthers get a rematch with Eden Prairie in the semifinals late Friday. Lakeville North prevailed in overtime last year.

Eden Prairie outscored Blaine 5-3 in the final quarterfinal Thursday. Both No. 5 seeds upset the No. 4 seeds. In addition to Eden Prairie's victory, St. Cloud Apollo beat the Breck School in the Class A quarterfinals.

Semifinals in both classes will be Friday in downtown St. Paul. All three private schools at state (St. Thomas Academy, Hill Murray and Breck) lost in the quarterfinals. Private schools have won at least one of the state titles in 13 of the past 16 years.

Friday's semifinal schedule
Class A, Mahtomedi vs. East Grand Forks, 11 a.m.
Class A, Hermantown vs. St. Cloud Apollo, 1 p.m.
Class AA, Edina vs. Duluth East, 6 p.m.
Class AA, Lakeville North vs. Eden Prairie, 8 p.m.

Wednesday's class A quarterfinals featured a goal that made the No. 1 spot on ESPN's Sports Center countdown.

Thursday's AA quarterfinals had a highlight reel save by the Bemidji goalie.