ST. CLOUD - The Apollo Eagles Hockey team took off for the state tournament thorough a crowd of Apollo Hockey fans. Both the team and the fans had time to reflect on a great season, and look forward to the challenge ahead.

Tanner Breidenbach says it was one of the best seasons he had seen.

He  says, "It was a lot of fun, lot of tough games, a long journey, but it's here now."

Head Coach Pete Matanich says the whole team has been looking forward to leaving for state.

"It's exciting, for us this is a day we've been waiting for, for a long time," says Matanich, "It was a goal going into the season for our guys to get back down there. So for us the anxiety part of it is over, and we are just excited to get down there."

Breidenbach says they don't know a lot about their opponent, Breck, but they are still ready to play in the first round of the state tournament.

"We are just going to play our game defensively, do our best, and we will see what happens." says Breidenbach.

There was a big turnout for the sendoff. Coach Matanich was again thankful for all of the fan support

"Anytime you can get the community support like we have the last couple of years it's been great. Coming here, and having the support like we've had has been awesome," says Matanich.

St. Cloud Apollo will take on Breck tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. at the XCEL Energy Center.

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