Thief River Falls VFW Post 2793 and Thief River Falls Amateur Hockey Association are hosting the 64th Annual Minnesota VFW Bantam A-AA Hockey Tournament March 22-24 at the Ralph Engelstad Arena and Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center.
 
First round action begins Friday, March 22, with the Bantam A quarterfinals at the HOMCC and Bantam AA quarterfinals at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. 

Following Friday’s first round action, the official tournament banquet will be held in the Ralph Engelstad Arena’s Imperial Room from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost of the meal is free for players and coaches, parents, friends and family are asked to make a donation at the door. The dinner includes pulled pork sandwiches, various pasta and potato salads, and dessert bars and cookies. 

The on-ice action continues Saturday, with the tournament’s switching venues. The Bantam A championship and consolation semifinals will be held at the Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Bantam AA championship and consolation semifinals will be held at the HOMCC.
 
Also on Saturday, the Thief River Falls VFW Post 2793 will be serving hamburger, cheeseburger and chicken baskets from noon until 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. Child and adult beverages are available. Parents and adult fans are invited to take part in gaming activities, including Bingo, which begins at 5 p.m. Hockey fans with a gate pass are eligible for a onetime buy one, get one free beverage purchase. 

Sunday’s action begins with the Bantam A consolation championship in the HOMCC at 10 a.m. and the Bantam AA consolation championship at the REA, also at 10 a.m. The Bantam A third place game will be held at noon at the HOMCC, followed at 2 p.m. by the Bantam AA third place game. 

Both championship games will be held at the Ralph Engelstad Arena, with the Bantam A game set for noon and the AA game set for 2 p.m. 

Tickets to the event may be purchased at the door. Ticket options include: Individual Adult Weekend Pass - $25; Individual Adult 2-Day Pass - $20; Individual Adult Single Day pass - $10; Student Tournament Pass - $10; Student Single Game - $5; Children Age 10 and Under - Free. 

This is Thief River Falls fourth time hosting the VFW State Tournament after previously hosting in 1963, 1969 and 2010.


Bantam A State
Hockey Tournament
• Opening round (HOMCC) Friday, March 22 – Alexandria vs. Hibbing 10 a.m.; Thief River Falls vs. Rogers noon; Warroad vs. St. Peter 2 p.m.; Dodge County vs. Detroit Lakes 4 p.m.
• Consolation semifinals (REA) Saturday, March 23 – loser of game 1 vs. loser of game 3, noon; loser of game 2 vs. loser of game 4, 4 p.m.
• Championship semifinals (REA) Saturday, March 23 – winner of game 1 vs. winner of game 3, 2 p.m.; winner of game 2 vs. winner of game 4, 6 p.m.
• Consolation championship, Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m. at HOMCC.
• Third place game, Sunday, March 24, noon, at HOMCC.
• Championship game, Sunday, March 24, noon, at REA.

Bantam AA State
Hockey Tournament
• Opening round (REA) Friday, March 22 – Moorhead vs. Grand Rapids 10 a.m.; White Bear Lake vs. Champlin Park noon; Centennial vs. Bemidji 2 p.m.; Roseau vs. Andover 4 p.m.
• Consolation semifinals (HOMCC), Saturday, March 23, loser of game 1 vs. loser of game 3, noon; loser of game 2 vs. loser of game 4, 4 p.m.
• Championship semifinals (HOMCC) Saturday, March 23 – winner of game 1 vs. winner of game 3, 2 p.m.; winner of game 2 vs. winner of game 4, 6 p.m.
• Consolation championship, Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m. at REA.
• Third place game, Sunday, March 24, 2 p.m., at HOMCC.
• Championship game, Sunday, March 24, 2 p.m., at REA.