Grand Rapids Hockey Ready to Battle Defending Section Champions Andover in 7AA Title Game

Puck drop for the section 7AA championship game between Grand Rapids and Andover is set for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the IRA Civic Center. 

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Since winning the state championship in 2017, the Grand Rapids boys hockey team has worked to get back. Now later this week, they’re one step closer, as they’re once again back in the section 7AA championship game.

“Our first goal was to get the first seed, and then our second goal is to win the section,” head coach Wade Chiodo said.

This is the first section title game appearance for the Thunderhawks since that 2017 season.

“It’s a huge step for this group. We got a game further then we did last year,” senior defenseman Jack Peart said.

This year due to COVID-19 protocols, the game will be played at the IRA Civic Center, as the Thunderhawks claimed the top seed in the section.

“This barn is awesome, we haven’t lost this year in here yet so this atmosphere is just so nice,” junior defenseman Easton Young said.

“There’s a lot of tradition in this rink and we’re lucky enough we get to play here,” Peart added.

They’ll hope to use that home ice advantage as the Thunderhawks will welcome in No. 2 seed and defending section 7AA champions Andover.

“They get up ice quick, they’re a well coached team, they try to get you on rushes and they do things the right way,” Chiodo said.

“We’re going to have to play great defense, they have some good forwards that can really move out there,” Young added.

Grand Rapids enters the game with just one loss on the season and feels confident that this team can bring the program back to where they want.

“When I took the job over, I just continued to build on the foundation that’s already here, the tradition, the pride. In my 11 years of being a head coach, this is probably the best group of kids I’ve ever coached. They work their tails off and they deserve an opportunity,” Chiodo said.

“Just as a kid, your dream is to make the state tournament and put on the Grand Rapids high school jersey. Definitely would help out our younger program and hopefully we can do it,” Peart added.

Puck drop for the section 7AA championship game between Grand Rapids and Andover is set for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the IRA Civic Center.