Congratulations to Grand Rapids/Greenway Lightning!

[Mightydog]

Is this still an underdog team? How about that coaching staff, impressive to say the least! I can not think of too many MN Girls High School coaches that have lead two different teams to the big dance. Rendles coaching staff by far is by far the best support team out there. The Lightning will strike hard in the Twin Cities.....stay low & watch out.

[findme]

Mightydog-

Congrats on the win however if you followed Cloquet's schedule when they played in the Twin Cities they did not fair too well-which after that trip their ratings began to drop. Becareful of senseless threats-the Lightening will be playing with the BIG DOGS in the Twin Cities!

[Mightydog]

So... You are saying that Cloquet was not a worthy team? I guess I don't get it... everytime a Rapids team does something, people keep coming up with excuses. I guess that's what you do when you don't get invited to the dance. Sorry for bringing up some past memories!!

[keepitreal]

The Lightning did just fine vs. the metro on their southern trip with wins over Breck and Hopkins. They are a fine team, have who I consider one of the premier players in the state, and will provide a formidable challenge to the 6AA champion.

[Partagas]

Congrats to GRG. It was a great game with plenty of drama. Congrats to the coaches who took some heat early on in the year but kept sight of the ultimate goal. Kudos to the Lighting girls program as a whole. They had great support from the 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U teams last night and all year. This truly is a program that has compteted with the cities and will contuie to do so for many years.

Also congrats to Cloquet. Coach Bart and his staff are as professioanl as they get. His team plays the same way; hard clean hockey for 3 plus periods last night.

Most important, the girls. It takes a "team" to get to the big show and they did it. This is what high school sports is all about; pure passion emotion for the sport they love. It was a special night for this team that they will never forget.

Congrats and have fun this upcomeing week.

[GRhawky]

Congrats to all the girls. It was truly a spetacular hockey game to watch and the best girls game i've ever seen. Good luck at state and keep rollin!

[boblee]

Congrats to all the girls. They had a great fan base and played a great game. The "Local Crazies" were out in full force. Molly Arola with just a beautiful game winner. Amazing. Go Lightning!

[Mightydog]

I agree Bobbie, We need the Lightning fan base to come out in full force down south. The others need to keep their heads low when the "Lightning" Strikes, 'cause it may hit without warning.

[elliott70]

Congrats to the Lightening!

[boblee]

Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 0-0-1-0—1

Grand Rapids-Greenway 0-1-0-1—2

First period — No scoring.

Second period — 1. GRG, Emily Erickson (Marina Guyer, Heather Horgen), 3:54.

Third period — 2. CEC, Leanne Gittings (Jessica Baublitz), 7:18.

Overtime — 3. GRG, Molly Arola (Natalie Newton, Emily Erickson), :21 pp.

Saves — Paige Thunder, CEC, 23; Jessica Havel, GRG, 19.

[Strategic Aims]

Great thread, I'm glad it became so positive, I watched with admiration as the players on both teams showed so much class, the coaches were speaking to each other after the game, Cloquet and LIghtning parents were visiting after the game, its what sports are all about. I hope the other sections have as great a experience

[slapper]

Congratulations GRG! Good Luck at State! Nothing but quality representation from 7AA.

[lll]

wow very cool 2 teams from the north looking to bring home the hardware. hibbing did it 10 years ago and look to bring it back this year also congrats to rapids and coach rendle who brings up a great program no matter where he coaches. hibbing will be down at their games to give them support and hopefully grg will be at our games to do the same

[boblee]

wow very cool 2 teams from the north looking to bring home the hardware. hibbing did it 10 years ago and look to bring it back this year also congrats to rapids and coach rendle who brings up a great program no matter where he coaches. hibbing will be down at their games to give them support and hopefully grg will be at our games to do the same

I know the GRG girls wish Hibbing the best of luck.

[niper-hawkfan]

boblee.. were you at the game aginsed the st maries?? if you were how was the game.. who scored and how were the refs?

couldnt make it to the game

[boblee]

I was at both games this weekend. Lightning played well and most certainly competed. Couldn't score a whole lot tho. Bessie Havel was awesome in goal and I think Molly Arola was the stand out forward. Emily Erickson played well too. Great run by the Lightning!