The girls hockey tournament kicks off a span of five straight winter weekends featuring Minnesota high school state tournament action.

Sixteen of the best hockey teams in the state descend on St. Paul, where the action starts Wednesday with the Class A quarterfinals and continues all the way through Saturday evening’s Class 2A title bout.

Here’s a look at what to watch for this week at Xcel Energy Center.

HISTORY AT STAKE

Warroad is attempting to complete the first-ever four-peat, though the road to do so is far from easy.

Despite being the No. 1-ranked team in Class A for much of the season, Warroad received the No. 3 seed in the tournament, a likely byproduct of its early season home loss to Orono. Now, to claim a fourth-straight crown, Warroad must first beat Marshall, then likely score vengeance against Orono in the semis before toppling Dodge County in a rematch of last year’s title game.

Dodge County is the top seed via its 2-1 win over Orono in December, but the Spartans are likely the favorites in the eyes of many.

OPEN CALL

The Class 2A state title favorite, Minnetonka, was bounced in a section final by Holy Family. That about sums up this year’s big-school tournament.

Edina is the top seed and the deserved favorite to repeat. But you can make an argument that any of the top-seeded schools have the ability to lift the trophy at week’s end.

All of have big-time wins scattered throughout their regular-season schedules that demonstrate a championship-level ceiling.

TALENT ABOUNDS

Sixty percent of both the Ms. Hockey and Jori Jones Award (top senior goalie) finalists will be on the ice at the X this week.

Ms. Hockey finalists include Rosemount’s Sophie Stramel, Centennial/Spring Lake Park’s Teagan Kulenkamp and Andover’s Mackenzie Jones. In the goalie category, Dodge County’s Ida Huber, Moorhead’s Taylor Kressin and Holy Angels’ Zoe Rimstad will all be in action.

CLASS AA BRACKET

Thursday’s quarterfinals (NSPN.TV): No. 2 Centennial/Spring Lake Park vs. No. 7 Rosemount, 11 a.m.; No. 3 Hill-Murray vs. No. 6 Andover, 1 p.m.; No. 1 Edina vs. No. 8 Farmington, 6 p.m.; No. 4 Moorhead vs. No. 5 Holy Family, 8 p.m.

Friday’s semifinals (TV45): Thursday afternoon quarterfinal winners, 6 p.m.; Thursday evening quarterfinal winners, 8 p.m.

Saturday’s final (TV45): Semifinal winners, 7 p.m.

CLASS A BRACKET

Wednesday’s quarterfinals (NSPN.TV): No. 2 Orono vs. No. 7 Fergus Falls, 11 a.m.; No. 3 Warroad vs. No. 6 Marshall, 1 p.m.; No. 1 Dodge County vs. No. 8 River Lakes, 6 p.m.; No. 4 Holy Angels vs. No. 5 Proctor/Hermantown, 8 p.m.

Friday’s semifinals (TV45): Wednesday afternoon quarterfinal winners, 11 a.m.; Wednesday evening quarterfinal winners, 1 p.m.

Saturday’s final (TV45): Semifinal winners, 4 p.m.

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