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Breck girls even series with Blake, but it's not over

The Mustangs -- who fell to the Bears in November -- got an early lead and held on. The teams might meet in the section final.

By DEAN SPIROS, Star Tribune
Last update: February 1, 2009 - 12:50 AM

Any doubt about whether it was a big game was erased before the opening faceoff at Breck Arena, when one Breck student after another of the male persuasion made his way through the stands wearing an apron.
The Breck student body comes up with a theme whenever the Mustangs play a game that matters, and Saturday's girls' hockey showdown between Blake and Breck -- the top-ranked teams in Class 1A hockey -- fit the bill.

All week the Mustangs and their faithful talked of their desire to "Bake Blake." Thus the aprons.

In the end, Breck's effort would have made Betty Crocker proud.
The No. 2-ranked Mustangs raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and held on for a 4-3 victory. Breck (18-4) stretched its winning streak to nine games, while handing Blake (20-2) its first loss in 10 games.

"Big win," said Breck junior forward Emily Kleidon, whose second goal was the game-winner. "We know we are probably going to see them again in the state tournament, so beating them gives us a lot of confidence. Plus, they are our biggest rivals."

Kleidon offered kudos to the students for the latest theme. "I thought it was funny," she said.

As for Blake coach Brano Stankovsky, he was steamed after watching his team stumble its way through the first 17 minutes of play.

"We gave the first period away," Stankovsky said. "We kept trying to make 65-foot passes."

Stankovsky acknowledged that similar passes had worked throughout the month of January, as the Bears racked up one lopsided victory after another against inferior opponents.

"We haven't seen this high of caliber of team for a while," Stankovsky said. "We haven't seen this kind of team speed. We've had more time to make those passes than we had tonight."

Blake edged Breck 3-2 when the teams met Nov. 28. If they meet again it will be in the finals of the Section 5 playoffs.

Although his players were justifiably excited after the victory, Breck first-year coach Lenny Vannelli will do his best to try to keep it in perspective.
"Our focus from the beginning has been to win at the right time," Vannelli said. "When we played them earlier I don't think we were emotionally ready. We've been working with the girls, on the ice and off, trying to build for February and beyond."

Kleidon believes the work is paying off. The Mustangs played well in a victory over Grand Rapids on Friday and came back even stronger against the top-ranked Bears.

On the first day of February the Mustangs appear as capable as any team of winning the Class 1A state title.

"I think we can if we don't get too cocky," Kleidon said. "We can't let our heads get too big."

Dean Spiros • dspiros@startribune.com

http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps ... LanchO7DiU

Hill-Murray no longer just a boys hockey power
Hill-Murray girls benefit from coaching shift with boys team
By Tim Leighton
tleighton@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 02/02/2009 11:22:32 PM CST


Emerging from the shadows of one of Minnesota's dominant boys programs, Hill-Murray's girls hockey team is building a legacy with a new attitude that has impressed opponents and others.

"Wow,'' junior Mackenzie Saad said. "That's what people are saying to us. Jaws are dropping at what we are doing. It's a great feeling that we're showing that Hill-Murray isn't all about boys hockey. People have taken notice.''

The Pioneers are 19-3-1 and atop the Classic Suburban Conference with a 14-0-0 record. Hill-Murray, No. 2 in the Pioneer Press power rankings, has signature victories over sectional rival Stillwater, South St. Paul and Edina. Want a loaded section? Take a look at Section 4AA, with No. 1 Roseville, No. 2 Hill-Murray and No. 3 Stillwater.

The boys are the defending Class AA champions and have made the state tournament 22 times. The girls never have made it to the state tournament, but this season could be different.

The girls team already has tied its single-season victory mark, set last season when the Pioneers were 19-7-1 and lost to Stillwater in the sectional semifinals. The previous high had been 16 in the 2006-07 season. Hill-Murray has a two-game lead over South St. Paul in the conference and can clinch the title with a victory tonight against the visiting Packers. The Pioneers defeated South St. Paul 5-1 on Jan. 9.

"Hill-Murray is playing at a really high level right now, and people are opening their eyes to what they are doing and what they are accomplishing,'' South St. Paul coach Dave Palmquist said. "It's been impressive.''
When women's hockey legend Karyn Bye-Dietz gave the Pioneers an inspirational speech preaching team unity last week, it only reinforced what they already were emphasizing.

"That talk really hit home with a lot of us and made us smile,'' senior Jess Harren said. "I think we all go into our practices and games with the mind-set of not being selfish. While it is OK to have personal goals, what really matters is the team goal. It doesn't matter who scores the goals, it just has to be that you are happy with someone on the team scoring goals.''

The optimism appears to coincide with the hiring of Bill Schafhauser, a longtime assistant in Hill-Murray's boys hockey program. He is in his second season with the Pioneers' girls team.

"Our angle is that it is a new beginning for us,'' said Schafhauser, a 1980 Hill-Murray graduate who played professionally in the Philadelphia Flyers' minor league system and in Europe.

"That is not to be disrespectful at all to previous coaching staffs. We are just trying to develop a tradition of our own. We have a lot of good kids here, and our vision at the time was that they wanted to be pushed harder, to be more competitive. We did a lot of little things.''

Schafhauser implemented a strength and conditioning program, and introduced drills that allowed the Pioneers to become a balanced team of dynamic offense and stingy defense.

"The girls' program is definitely making a name for itself,'' said Bill Lechner, Hill-Murray's activities directors and boys hockey coach. "Bill is helping them to create an identity. As an ex-professional player, he is dedicated to trying to achieve success. He has a passion for the game and is really good with the kids.''

Harren agrees.

"There is a burning desire for success here," she said. "Bill is so confident in us. I think that has changed our mind-set. That has allowed us to push harder and challenge ourselves. We have more talent than ever before, and that is allowing us to break out of the shell that we have been under for years. I want team success more than individual success. Everyone here feels that way.''

Junior Maggie Pendleton will even give wake-up text messages to teammates on game days.

"What an awesome way to start the day,'' Harren said. "To see that, first thing in the morning, is just a great feeling — to know that, later on in the day, I am going to play hockey with my best friends.''

"I think we are giving people a show,'' Saad said. "I think we are showing others that Hill-Murray hockey is not just for boys anymore.''

Here are this week's athletes of the week:

By Jim Paulsen, Star Tribune staff writer
Last update: February 3, 2009 - 3:32 AM

JORDYN BURNS
Benilde-St. Margaret's, hockey

The sophomore defenseman took over the team scoring lead last week with back-to-back hat tricks in victories over St. Louis Park and Chisago Lakes, giving her 20 goals and 35 total points.


(slight correction - she's been playing center since very early in the season)

Star Tribune - 2/3/09

Exciting finish

The final week of the regular season in girls' hockey features a number of significant games. Roseville (21-1-1, 13-0-1 Suburban East) faces conference rival Stillwater (20-3, 13-1) on Saturday. Roseville is 19-0-1 since losing to Hopkins on Nov. 28. The Raiders beat Stillwater 3-2 in Stillwater when the teams met on Jan. 6.

Hopkins (19-3, 6-0 Classic Lake) finishes with conference showdowns against Edina (14-6-3, 4-1-1) and Minnetonka (14-6-2, 4-2-0).

Benilde-St. Margaret's (14-5-2, 12-0 North Suburban) meets Irondale (16-6-1, 11-1) with the conference title on the line. Benilde beat Irondale 2-0 on Jan. 16.

Centennial (16-3-3, 11-2-1 Northwest Suburban) closes out the regular season Saturday against Maple Grove (18-5, 11-3). The Cougars hold a half-game lead over the Crimson in the conference standings.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps ... LanchO7DiU

Ramsey making big impact for Minnetonka
By JIM PAULSEN, Star Tribune
Last update: February 3, 2009 - 7:02 PM

Sporting an impressive record and a Top 10 ranking in Class 2A, the Minnetonka girls' hockey team is enjoying the best season in team history.

A big reason has been the play of sophomore defenseman Rachel Ramsey.

The 6-0 Ramsey is one of the tallest players in the state. And after a recent move from forward to defense, she bears more than a slight resemblance to her father Mike, the former University of Minnesota, U.S. Olympic team and NHL star who is an assistant coach for the Wild.

"Moving her back to defense has really helped the team," Skippers coach Eric Johnson said. "Since then, we're a plus-18 as a team."

We caught up with Ramsey to talk about the team, the move and her father's influence on her.

Q Your team is 14-2-2 in games in which you score. Do you realize you're that important?

A Well, I definitely get a lot of help from my team. I didn't realize that was the case. It's nice to know, but it's not just me. It's the whole team.

Q Do you find teams adjusting their games when they play you?

A I get a lot of shadowing, especially on the power play. But my team has been great about finding what works.

Q You recently moved from forward back to defense. Talk about that move.

A It was a little different. At forward, you get to move around all the time, and you're always getting into the play. On defense, you're back on the blue line, but you get to see the play develop and it's easier to see what's going on.

Q Were you surprised by the move?

A Last year at the end of the season, my coach gave me a warning that we were going to be lacking a player back there and that it might happen. He told me the same thing at the start of this season, but I started at forward and things were going pretty well. So I had a little warning but it was still a surprise.

Q How has playing defense changed your game?

A I just try and wait for my opportunities. Back on defense, I know I'm not going to score as much, so I kind of wait for my moments and then I take my shots.

Q At six feet, you're taller than most players. How does that help you?

A I have a much longer reach than just about everybody else. And I have a really long stick that comes up to my nose. And I take up a lot of space, so when I have the puck, other player are not going to be able to reach it.

Q What kind of influence has your dad had on you?

A He's definitely helped me a lot. He tells me things all the time, like what my positioning should be and what opportunities to look for. He just knows all aspects of the game.

Q Is it hockey all day, every day in the Ramsey household?

A No. We usually just talk about things on car rides. My sister is a year younger than me, and she's a competition dancer, so we have other interests outside of hockey.

Q Do you ever want to just get away from hockey for awhile?

A Sometimes. I'm just like every other teenager. I have hockey every day after school, but I also like to just hang out with my friends.

South Q&A: Shakopee's 'diamond' shining bring at right time
Senior Nicole Anderson scored her 100th career goal earlier this season and has 31 goals this season.


http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps ... =KArksUUUU


South Q&A: Shakopee's 'diamond' shining bring at right time
RON HAGGSTROM, Star Tribune


Shakopee girls' hockey coach Dereck Grosskurth said he thinks Nicole Anderson "is a diamond in the rough."

The senior left wing scored her 100th career goal earlier this season, and is on the verge of leading the Sabers to at least a share of their first Missota Conference championship in more than a decade. Anderson has 31 goals this year and 119 in her career with two regular-season games remaining.

"It's been a great honor to coach her," Grosskurth said. "She's a special kid. I would love to have 20 of her on the team."

Anderson is one of only four Sabres seniors. They haven't lost since Dec. 13, putting together a 12-0-2 mark during that span.

Anderson talked to the Star Tribune's Ron Haggstrom about her final season and prep career.

Q You will finish in the top five all-time in school history in scoring. Sum up your career?

A I started playing varsity in eighth grade. As far as scoring, I couldn't tell you how many goals I have scored. I don't pay attention to that kind of stuff. It's not just about scoring. I am out there to have fun and make new friends.

Q Obviously, that has been the case this year with such a young team. How has this season been different than the teams you have played on with more experience?

A The younger girls are so much fun. They aren't as serious, and they bring so much life and energy to the team.

Q What would it mean for you to finish your prep career on top of the Missota Conference standings?

A That would mean everything to me -- to be the best team in the conference my senior year.

Q Shakopee never has reached the state tournament. Let's take it one step farther and a trip to the state tournament?

A That would be awesome. Our section is really tough, and it would take a lot of hard work to win it. [Shakopee is in Class 2A, Section 2 with No. 5-ranked Edina and No. 6 Minnetonka.]

Q Sports is all about dreams being fulfilled. You also never thought you would be a Division I hockey player, and now that recruitment process is heating up. Talk about that?

A I thought I would play like at a Division III school. It's kind of weird getting that kind of attention because I didn't think I would play Division I. It's exciting, and makes you feel pretty special.

Q You went and visited Providence this past weekend. It was your first venture out east. What was that like for you?

A First of all, that was the first time I've been on a plane. I had no idea they flew so fast. At first, I was nervous. Once I was up in the air I was fine.

Q And, the lay of the land?

A I really liked it. I liked the old architecture and history of the East Coast.

Q You also play soccer in the fall and run track in the spring. How difficult is it for you to be a three-sport athlete and keep up with your academics?

A It can be really difficult and challenging. But I like to be challenged. I wouldn't give up any of the sports I play.

http://www.vype.com/stpaul/general/6338

Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Hill-Murray hitting its PRIME
St. Paul, MN

By: Tom Carothers

“The boys program has had a long tradition of success — in these next years we want to build our own tradition,” said Schafhauser.

For the bulk of the last 14 years, high school girls hockey on the east side of the Mississippi River has been dominated by one of three teams: Roseville, South St. Paul and Stillwater.
However, in the last three seasons, a new force has risen in the eastern metro and now seeks to take its place among the heavyweights of the sport.
Hill-Murray, long known as a stronghold in boys hockey, is now flexing its collective muscle in the female ranks and threatens to overtake the traditional dominions.
“Our goals are pretty clear,” coach Bill Schafhauser said. “We want to develop into a strong and well-respected program.”
The Pioneers have already come a long way to that end, having won the last two Classic Suburban Conference championships. Schafhauser’s club was unbeaten in conference play last season — his first behind the girls bench after serving as the boys junior varsity coach previously — and the squad was solidly in first place heading into the final month of this season.
“We’ve certainly raised our level of play,” the coach said. “We hope to win the conference again this season, but ultimately we want to be a perennial state power.”
Despite a 35-16-3 record in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons, the Pioneers have yet to emerge on the state tournament stage — and, talented as they are, it won’t be an easy task to make it this year either.
Hill-Murray resides in Section 4AA, unquestionably the fiercest grouping in all of girls hockey. Of the top-5 teams in Class AA, three play in the section: Roseville, Stillwater and the Pioneers.
“There are so many great teams in this section,” Schafhauser said. “It’s just incredible.”
Yet, Hill-Murray needs to look no further than another east-side Catholic private school for inspiration — Cretin-Derham Hall.
Last season, the Raiders — just 11-11-3 in the regular season — rode a hot goaltender and spirited play to section victories over both Stillwater and Roseville en route to a third-place State finish.
Schafhauser acknowledges the Cretin marvel of 2008 as providing a strong example for his team this season, saying, “It shows that you just have to hit it at the right time.”
Hill-Murray’s pieces have fallen into place for a strong section surge as the Pioneers have put together a team that looks to challenge for section and State glories this season and beyond.
Starting goaltender Ali McKeever is stellar in her sophomore year on the team after playing with the Woodbury Bantam A boys team last year.
“That’s something that’s rarely done,” Schafhauser said of McKeever’s Bantam play. “We’re lucky to have her as a sophomore, she brings a different element to girls hockey.”
The team’s top scorer, Hannah Brandt, is just a freshman. Yet, while she has three more high school seasons after this, the dynamic forward already plays with the instincts of a top senior.
“Hannah is one of those players that don’t come along very often,” her coach said. “She has a lot of creativity and possesses a great instinct for the game — she’s got some great years ahead of her.”
The Pioneers junior class is solid, led by stalwart defender Maggie Pendleton and prolific forwards Melissa Doyle, Mackenzie Saad and Maggie McDowell.
“They are very strong,” Schafhauser said of his juniors. “We also have a great core group of seniors.”
The Pioneers senior quartet of defender Casey Knajdek, forwards Nicole Stumpf, Jessica Harren and reserve goaltender Lizz Wenzel have seen the program go from a sub-.500 unit in 2006 to a team standing at the precipice of its first State berth.
Now, it’s just a matter of getting over the rather large hump that represents its neighbors in Roseville and Stillwater.
“It’s every kids dream,” Schafhauser, who played on the Pioneers boys state tournament teams in 1979 and 1980, said. “It would be great for these girls to be able to experience it this season.”
To that effect, Hill-Murray launched a shot across Stillwater’s bow by defeating the Ponies 4-2 on Nov. 18. The coach said that victory was invaluable for the team’s confidence this season.
“It was a huge step,” he noted. “One of the things we had to overcome was knowing that we could compete with teams like Stillwater.”
Whether the Pioneers get another crack at the Ponies, the Raiders, or even a Cretin-esque Cinderella club with a trip to State hanging in the balance remains to be seen.
Yet, if it happens this season or not, Schafhauser is confident that the Pioneers are here to stay.
“We’re definitely headed in the right direction,” he said. “The boys program has had a long tradition of success — in these next years we want to build our own tradition.”

St. Paul Pioneer Press Athletes of the Week
Posted: 02/17/2009 12:01:00 AM CST

JENNY MITCHELL
School: Visitation
Sport: Hockey
Year: Senior

The forward scored two goals, including a short-handed winner, to lead Visitation/ St. Paul United to a 4-1 victory over Simley in the opening round of the Section 4A playoffs. Also assisted on a goal. "She's a speedy, determined player," United coach Ted Cheesebrough said. "She's a great competitor, and her nose for the net paid off for us last week. In the postseason, when every shift counts, she has definitely made the most of her chances."

South Q&A: Eagan goalie eager to face Eastview again

By AARON PAITICH, Star Tribune
Last update: February 17, 2009 - 4:51 PM

http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps ... anchO7DiUr

gztsport@acnpapers.com
(Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 1:06 PM CST)


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NIce article


Kristina King knocks a rebound past goaltender Ali McKeever for Stillwater's first goal during a 3-0 section semifinal victory over Hill-Murray on Tuesday at Aldrich Arena.



MAPLEWOOD - Hill-Murray is the only team to score more than three goals against the Stillwater girls' hockey team this season, but on Tuesday night the Pioneers became the seventh team shut out by goaltender Marah Sobczak and the Ponies.

Stillwater skated past the second-seeded Pioneers 3-0 in the Section 4AA semifinals at Aldrich Arena to earn a spot in Saturday's finals, where it will face top-seeded Roseville - providing a showdown between the top two ranked teams in the state.

The Raiders, who defeated Stillwater twice during the regular season and have won 16 consecutive games, advanced with a 2-1 victory over fourth-seeded White Bear Lake after scoring the game-winner with less than a minute remaining.

"We're really optimistic about our team," Ponies coach Tony Scheid said. "We have three days to practice and we're going to try and get better and try to come out and chase a dream."

Kristina King delivered two second-period goals and added an assist in the third to lift the Ponies (23-4) into the section finals for the fourth consecutive year. Stillwater was the defending state champion when it was upset by Cretin-Derham Hall in the section finals a year ago.

"It doesn't matter what seed you are, you have to win three big games to go to state and we're just looking forward to Saturday," Scheid said.

It didn't come easy for the Ponies against the fifth-ranked Pioneers (22-5), who defeated Stillwater 4-2 in the season opener on Nov. 18.

"I think both teams are a lot better than when we played the first game of the season," Scheid said. "That's one of the best teams we've seen all season, definitely one of the top teams we've seen. They played us as tough as anyone has played us all year. We have a lot of respect for their program and their team and we felt fortunate to get out of there with a win."

Sobczak did her part on Tuesday by turning away all 31 shots she faced.

"I'll credit their goaltender," Pioneers coach Bill Schafhauser said. "Sobczak played great and their whole team played great. I thought we played really well, too. If we could have got one by her at some time, especially in the second period when we had a few good chances, that really would have given us some energy. She's got a great glove and she controlled a lot of the rebounds and we just couldn't get one by her."

As it turned out, Sobczak deflated the Pioneers with one save after another, including several point-blank opportunities in the second and third periods.

"It was a total team effort," Scheid said. "Marah Sobczak was huge and our defensemen played an excellent game. They did a great job of shutting down their forwards and breaking the puck out and getting pucks deep. Then our forwards did a great job in D-zone, too. Cassandra Salmen I think blocked three or four big shots and when your forwards are going down and blocking shots in big games like that it's a good sign and the girls really wanted it. They did an excellent job."


King struck on the power play at 4:31 of the second period for what turned out to be the only goal the Ponies needed. The sequence began with Callie Dahl's shot from inside the blue line that was initially stopped by goaltender Ali McKeever, though she was unable to pounce on the rebound. Salmen and Amanda Cartony also slapped at the puck before it came back to King and she knocked it into the net.

"I got one whack at it and I hit it right into her pad and luckily I got a second chance and hit it in," said King, who now has 25 goals this season.

Stillwater was outshot 12-8 in the second period, but King extended the lead to 2-0 after converting on a picture-perfect pass from Dahl at 15:29.

Dahl beat two Pioneers to the puck and found King skating hard toward the net. Dahl slipped a centering pass from the left side that King got her stick on and flipped into the upper corner of the net.

"Dahl had a two-on-two and I called for it and she put it through the two girls and I just hit a backhand upper shelf," King said. "She's a great player and she knows how to get the puck to me no matter what and I just put it upstairs. I just kind of tapped it toward the net and it just went over the goalie's shoulder."

King and Dahl have each scored 25 goals and lead the Ponies with 53 and 46 points this season.

"It was huge," Scheid said of that second goal. "Callie Dahl and Kristi King just working hard together. They've got a great chemistry together and it was a huge goal for us. Callie did a lion's share of the work there and Kinger was right there with her, those guys working really well together."

Sobczak faced 14 shots in the third period, but never waivered.

The Ponies scored their second power play goal with just six seconds remaining in the game as Salmen scored on an assist by King for a three-goal cushion.

"It feels great," King said. "We knew what we had to do and we did it. I give Hill a lot of credit, they're a good team."

Stillwater also eliminated the Pioneers in the section semifinals a year ago - also by the score of 3-0. While Scheid was hoping the earlier loss to Hill-Murray was an aberration, Schafhauser used that game as inspiration.

"That was a big hurdle for us, just to show that we could beat them so we didn't have that in our mind where we had to worry about never having beaten Stillwater before," Schafhauser said. "I think a few bounces here or there we could have pulled it off again, but they played great, too, and they're a great team. Similar to last year, we just never experienced that buzz of scoring a goal in the playoffs against them and that might really have changed things."

Stillwater 0 2 1 - 3

Hill-Murray 0 0 0 - 0

First period - No scoring.

Second period - 1. St, Kristina King (Cassandra Salmen) pp, 4:31; 2. St, King (Callie Dahl) 15:29.

Third period - 3. St, Salmen (King) pp, 16:54.

Penalties - St, 3-6:00; H-M, 5-10:00.

Saves - St (Marah Sobczak) 5-12-14-31; H-M (Ali McKeever) 10-6-5-21.

Wildcats avenge loss to Lightning, earn trip to state

By DEAN SPIROS, Star Tribune
Last update: February 19, 2009 - 7:05 AM

http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps ... anchO7DiUr

State? It's still confusing for Zephyrs
By MICHAEL RAND, Star Tribune
Last update: February 25, 2009 - 1:26 AM

"The ol' one-game-at-a-time approach produced three sectional upsets for upstart Mahtomedi, whose players were slow to grasp the reality of the school's first state tournament berth."


http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps ... anchO7DiUr

beerguy2 wrote:http://www.mankato-freepress.com/sports ... ndarystory

Hopefully, New Ulm won't have happen to them that Hutchinson did. 10-0 just starting 3rd...ugly

From the Mesabi Daily news :

EVELETH …#8221; One day before the biggest game in the history of Eveleth-Gilbert Area girls hockey, the Golden Bears were treated to two pep rallies, a police escort …#8221; and a 7 a.m. practice.

“It’s going to be a long day,” Eveleth-Gilbert senior captain Megan Seppi said shortly before the Golden Bears departed around 11 a.m. Tuesday for the Class A Girls State Hockey Tournament in St. Paul. Eveleth-Gilbert (18-8-2), the No. 4 seed, will battle Mahtomedi (8-16-3) in the Class A quarterfinals tonight at 8 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center.

The game is scheduled to be broadcast live on KRBT 1340 AM. After a pep rally at Virginia High School early Tuesday morning, the Virginia Police Department provided an escort to the Parkview Learning Center in Virginia and on through Gilbert and Eveleth, where the team received another warm welcome from students, teachers, parents and fans at Eveleth-Gilbert High School.

After the players and coaches were introduced, Athletic Director Kyle Thoreson and Golden Bears head coach Ron Hendrickson each said a few words about Eveleth-Gilbert’s remarkable run to its first-ever state tournament.

Thoreson talked about opportunities and said that what we do with those opportunities can determine our character and the success we have in life. The players probably weren’t too enthused about going back onto the ice for a third overtime against Silver Bay in the Section 7A championship game last Friday, Thoreson said.

“But they chose to view it as a positive opportunity,” and went out and got the job done, he added.

Hendrickson praised his players, who make up a three-school cooperative of Eveleth-Gilbert, Virginia and Mesabi East, for putting their usual rivalries aside and coming together as a team.

“They worked hard,” he said. “They were able to put their school problems aside and just focus on being a great hockey team. Consolidation can work, and these girls are proof of that.”

Seppi said she’s excited to be a part of the program’s first state tournament team, while sophomore forward Amanda Arbogast is going to have fun with a new experience. She competed as both an individual and with the Virginia girls tennis team at the Class A state meet in October.

“It’ll be a different atmosphere,” she said.

Nice story on Northfield's Chelsea Trebelhorn:

The end of a hockey era - Northfield News Athlete Spotlight
By: Jeff Wald, Sports Editor
Posted: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 9:23 pm

http://www.northfieldnews.com/news.php?viewStory=47697