Mahtomedi secured a 2-1 victory over St. Cloud Cathedral in the Class A quarterfinals of the Minnesota State High School League Boys Hockey State Tournament on March 4, 2026. The win marks the second time in three weeks that Mahtomedi has defeated the team by one goal. Senior forward Brayden Fuerst scored the decisive goal late in regulation to advance the Zephyrs to the semifinals.
The matchup between Mahtomedi and St. Cloud Cathedral took place at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, echoing their regular-season finale on February 13, where Mahtomedi won 4-3. Both teams, perennial state tournament participants, delivered a game characterized by offensive creativity and strong defense, culminating in a tight contest decided in the final minutes.
St. Cloud Cathedral struck first with just over nine minutes gone in the first period. Sophomore forward Bo Schmidt scored on a power play, firing a one-timer past Mahtomedi goalie Jackson Chesek, who ended with 35 saves.
Mahtomedi responded in the second period to tie the score at 1-1. Junior Will Seevers converted a pass from sophomore forward Vinny Redpath, who was positioned behind the St. Cloud Cathedral net. Seevers kicked the puck onto his stick and shot it past goalie Hunter Moreland, who made 27 saves in the loss.
The game remained tied until late in the third period. With 2:59 remaining, Brayden Fuerst raced down the left boards, entered the circle, and fired a backhand shot that deflected off Moreland's pad and crossed the goal line. "I saw the defense and I thought, just take it to the net," Fuerst said. When asked if he was surprised it went in, he replied, "Yeah. I don't score on many of those shots but I'm glad it went in."
The victory improves Mahtomedi's record to 18-9-2 and sends them to the semifinals against top-seeded Hibbing/Chisholm/VCA, whom they lost to 7-4 on December 20. St. Cloud Cathedral finishes the season at 17-12-0.
In the other quarterfinal, Hibbing/Chisholm/VCA defeated Dodge County 4-1, setting up the semifinal rematch. Senior Tate Swanson contributed a goal and an assist for the Bluejackets, who hold a 25-2-2 record.
