Top-ranked Duluth East earns No. 1 seed in Section 7AA boys hockey playoffs

High school state hockey tournaments could be a Twin Ports affair if seedings hold through the upcoming section playoffs.

Top-ranked Duluth East, as expected, was handed the No. 1 seed in Section 7AA on Wednesday and will open with a quarterfinal matchup Tuesday at Heritage Center against the winner of a play-in game between Cambridge-Isanti and St. Francis.

Fifth-ranked Duluth Marshall was named Section 7A’s top seed and awaits a quarterfinal meeting against either Silver Bay or Ely next Thursday at Mars Lakeview Arena.

Undefeated Hermantown, the No. 1 team in Class A, will be named the top seed in Section 5A when pairings are released later this week.

Superior, ranked second in Wisconsin, opens the Sectional 1 playoffs as the favorite with a quarterfinal vs. River Falls tonight at Wessman Arena.

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