Playoff hockey fever is running wild around the Northland. The Minnesota Wilderness dropping the puck in round one of the NAHL playoffs tomorrow night.It's been a long, successful year for the Wilderness who earned home ice in the opening round of the playoffs and are quite confident going in to tomorrow night."It's been a long season for these guys, 60 games so I think everybody's excited for the 2nd season of playoffs to be coming. There's been some energy in the locker room, on the ice and hopefully it carries over to tomorrow night," said Wilderness coach Corey Millen."Our confidence is high. We know we have the skill to make it all the way. We feel pretty good. We've beat them 7 times, lost to them once, but we had a pretty good weekend against them last, 2 weekends ago so I think we're pretty strong in that regard," said Darian Romanko 

Esko didn't have a player recognized in the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association All-State teams, though the eskomos likely don't mind. After all, they're back in the State Tournament for the second straight year.

Minnesota's Class A State Basketball Tournament starts Thursday, without Lakeview christian Academy.The Lions were eliminated by 7A champion Fond du Lac Ojibwe in the section semis.However, there's good news for Lakeview star senior Bjorn Broman, who's one of five finalists for the Minnesota's Mr. Basketball award.

The Madness is coming, but before March ushers in Minnesota's State Hockey Tournaments, the end of February is section final week.The first Section 7 title will be handed out Wednesday as Hermantown meets the Marshall at AMSOIL Arena.

South Shore's Megan Gustafson went in to the Cardinals' game against Chequamegon Monday needing just 10 points to tie Joelene Anderson's school record of 2,881 career points.By the way, Anderson's mark was also the Wisconsin state girls' scoring record.Gustafson finished with 46 points as she blew past Anderson in to the state record book.The new record stands at 2,917 and counting.Gustafson watched Anderson as a kid and looked up to her.The new record holder says it was an honor to pass someone she respects so much."She's a great player, I knew her really well," Gustafson said of Anderson."I'm just really thankful for my teammates, they've looked out for me," Gustafson continued. "They always help me to do my best, and I try to help them as well."And what about South Shore producing the top two scorers in Wisconsin history?"It's such a small school," Gustafson said. "(There are) only 50 kids in the entire school, 9th through 12th. I'm really excited to be a part of this, but I'm sad it's coming to an end, but I'm really excited for the future."The Cardinals visit Solon Springs Thursday and Mellen on February 24th.

South Shore's Megan Gustafson leads Wisconsin in scoring this season as she did in each of the last two seasons as well. Now, she leads the all-time scoring list as well.Gustafson assed South Shore alumnae Jolene Anderson Monday with her 2,882nd point in the 1st half against Chequamegon.Gustafson finished with 46 points in an 81–45 Cardinals win, giving her 2,917 in her career with two regular season games plus playoffs left this season.Gustafson, who also leads Wisconsin in rebounds, pulled down 18 boards and dished out six assists.Gustafson is South Shore's first Division I recruit since Anderson, having recently signed with the University of Iowa.