RECAP: Spuds Boy’s Hockey Punches Ticket to State; Receives No. 1 Seed

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. (KVRR) –A year after not making the Section 8AA Minnesota boys hockey Championship, Moorhead returned in 2025 as a top team in the State.

After a dominant regular season, the Spuds rolled their through the section tournament to punch their ticket to State.

Following Wednesday night’s final horn, helmets, gloves, sticks…you name it…it all flew into the air as the Spuds captured their 21st section tournament championship.

In the final vs. Bemidji, Moorhead scored three goals in the first 10 minutes and rolled to the finish with a dominant 8-1 win.

After a regular season that saw Moorhead ranked number 1 most of the year, ending with a 22-2-1 record, the Spuds are heading back to the X to compete for a State Title.

“It’s awesome,” said senior captain Brooks Cullen. “But, you know, in the end, job’s not finished. We’ve still got three more games left, and that’s kind of what’s on our mind.” [We will celebrate this Section Title for] probably, you know, just the bus ride home and then focus on next week.”

Senior forward Mason Kraft shared his excitement.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Kraft. “This is what we worked for all year, and we earned it. So, it’s a great feeling. [We will] let it sink in for like 24 hours or so and then get right back to work. We’ve got business to handle next week.”

Thursday is the day the Class AA tournament will begin in St. Paul. For Moorhead, they will be looking to change the narrative.

In their storied history, they have EIGHT runner-up trophies. The most second place finishes without a Title in MN boys hockey tournament history.

The feeling all year long has been this year’s group could change that.

“Every team has a different story, right?” said head coach Jon Ammerman. “Collectively, Moorhead hasn’t won in the end, but this is a different group and a different opportunity. A bunch of kids that are very skilled, had a ton of success growing up, put in a ton of work and we’ll roll the dice. We like where we’re at, but obviously it’ll be a challenge whoever we have.”

The players share that same mindset.

“I think if we just keep playing how we’re playing, you know, stick to our game, do the little things right like we always do, and I think that’s gonna be our key to success,” said Cullen.

Mason Kraft added, “I think we’re going to keep doing what we’re doing. It’s worked for us all year, and I think we have a really good chance.”

Moorhead received the No. 1 seed for the tournament on Saturday morning. They will battle 8th-seed Lakeville South. The game is set for 6 P.M. on Thursday, March 6.

A reminder that KVRR’s sister station Antenna TV will be broadcasting the Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Championship games.

KVRR will also have LIVE coverage from the tournament.

CLASS AA BRACKET: https://www.mnhockeyhub.com/class-2a