Bemidji vs. Edina Boys’ State Hockey Preview

David vs. Goliath makes its way to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Thursday. Second-seeded Edina looks for its third consecutive Class AA state title. Unseeded Bemidji returns to state for the first time since 1986.

The big match-up faces the first ranked Bemidji defense, which surrenders 1.3 goals per game, against the fourth ranked Edina offense, which scores 5.7 goals per game. On the other end of the ice, Bemidji averages 4.3 goals, good enough for 12th in Class AA, while Edina allows only the fourth fewest goals per contest at 1.8. The Lumberjacks have mounted a record of 23-3-2, while the Hornets stand at 24-1-2. The puck drops at 11 a.m., Thursday in St. Paul.