Edina, though, is his pick to win the Class 2A title.  He likes the Hornets’ overall talent and depth.  That would mean an end to Roseau’s storied undefeated season, 29-0 and counting after destroying Blaine 8-0 in a quarterfinals game.

Sonmor has been watching every state tournament since 1966.  He said it’s much more difficult now for one player to dominate the tournament like Boucha and other legendary old timers once did.  The reason is there are so many other skilled players that bring more competitiveness and balance to the tournament scene.   Today’s players, he believes, are the best ever.

What doesn’t change are rivalries including the regular season meetings of Roseau and Warroad, a community that long ago labeled itself as Hockey Town USA.  “When you think about all-time rivalries in sports, Roseau versus Warroad is as good as it gets,” Sonmor said.

During the 2007-08 regular season, the Rams defeated the Warriors twice, 5-2 and 8-0. The two communities are absorbed by hockey all year.  When one populace travels to the other’s home town on game day, there aren’t many folks left in the community whose team is on the road, Sonmor said.

It was better, of course, years ago when it was a one class tournament, not two.  Now it’s not possible for Warroad to mix it up with Edina and Roseau.  But the Warriors won their opening tournament game on Wednesday and are after a third Class 1A title in six years.  Warroad defeated Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato 4-0 to advance to the semifinals today at 11 a.m. against Duluth Marshall.

No wonder Sonmor describes this as a “most enjoyable” time of the year.

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There’s proposed legislation at the capitol in St. Paul to make hockey the official state sport.  With people so passionate about various sports it’s not good judgment to showcase one above all the others.

The Minnesota Wild has the second best fans in the NHL, according to a players’ poll in this week’s Sports Illustrated.  Montreal received 35 percent of the vote followed by the Wild at 13 percent, and Calgary, 11 percent.

It was two years ago yesterday that Kirby Puckett died.  The former Twins star would have celebrated his 48^th birthday on March 14.

Rick Sutcliffe, ESPN baseball analyst, said on Wednesday’s spring training telecast of the Yankees-Twins game that Minnesota has the “best bullpen” in the American League.

Former Gopher basketball coach Dan Monson is having a difficult first season at Long Beach State. His overall record is 6-23.

UMD guard Jordan Nuness set the school record for career (241) and single season (100) three point field goals on Wednesday night.  Nuness, who played in high school for Eden Prairie, started his career with the Gophers before transferring to UMD.

If you are among the minority who can access the Big Ten Network, you can watch the women basketball Gophers play an opening game in the conference tournament tonight (Friday) against Michigan State beginning at 8 p.m. in Indianapolis. The game can be heard on radio, KBEM FM, 88.5.  The Gophers, who finished with an 11-7 Big Ten record, are the No. 4 seed, while the Spartans, 10-8, are seeded fifth.  Minnesota is led by first team all-conference guard Emily Fox who finished fourth in Big Ten scoring at 17.2 points per game.

It was a memorable year for the basketball program at Minneapolis Community & Technical College.  Coach Jay Pivec won his 500^th career game and MCTC won the 600^th game in school history dating back to 1965.

Hamline hockey juniors Dustin Fulton and Joe Long were named MIAC Co-Players of the Year for the 2007-08 season. Fulton led the conference in point and goal scoring, finishing with 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points. Long led the MIAC in power play goals with eight and finished 10th in the league in points with 20. Hamline coach Scott Bell was chosen conference Coach of the Year. Hamline won the regular season title, its first in 50 years, with an 11-3-2 record.  Award winners are determined by a vote of conference coaches.

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While the Vikings receive applause for the free agent signings of wide receiver Bernard Berrian, safety Madieu Williams, fullback Thomas Tapeh and kickoff return specialist Maurice Hicks, there are still people from California to the Carolinas who believe the franchise hasn’t solved two vital needs, quarterback and defensive end.

The 2006 Chicago Bears proved it’s not impossible to make the Super Bowl without a quarterback, but NFL history makes a strong case.  A pass rushing defensive end who can harass a quarterback like a school yard bully chasing smaller classmates is among the most highly prized of NFL players (see Super Bowl champion New York Giants).

While the wait-and-see label is on Tarvaris Jackson as he prepares for his third season as a pro, Purple eyes could be gazing toward Cleveland where the Browns re-signed Derek Anderson, but there’s an assumption by some that Brady Quinn will eventually be the starting quarterback.  Anderson, 24, threw 29 touchdown passes last season while Jackson, also 24, had nine.

The Browns are without early round draft choices this year including the first round.  You wouldn’t need a referendum in Minnesota to send the Vikings’ first and second round picks to Cleveland for Anderson.

There’s certainly no doubt that the Vikings will enter training camp with at least one new quarterback after releasing journeyman Kelly Holcomb.  At minimum, an upgrade in  backup help to Jackson is needed.

For multiple seasons the Vikings have been looking for improved play at defensive end.  Better pass rushing has been a particular need.  Knee surgeries for Erasmus James, Kenechi Udeze’s leukemia, and the possible free agency departure of Darrion Scott has clouded the defensive end picture beyond what was expected a year ago.

The NFL’s free agent class of defensive ends this year was rated “A-” by Sporting News last week.  The Vikings pursued Justin Smith of Cincinnati without success.  If improvement isn’t made through free agency, the college draft might help.  Defensive end is a position where rookies can make an immediate impact.

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