HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 02-17 High school girls hockey: 20th state tournament begins Wednesday PIONEER PRESS4/4/2016
High schoolgirls hockey: 20th state tournament begins Wednesday—Twin Cities
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February 17, 2014 1 UPDATED: 2 years ago
Twenty years ago, in front of a standing -room -only crowd at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood, the girls state
hockey tournament was born. The Minnesota State High School League was the first organization in the
country to govern the sport, and hopes were high for a long and prosperous life.
"Taking those first steps as a sport were very memorable, days I will never forget," South St. Paul coach
Dave Palmquist said. "Who would have ever thought back then that someday we would be playing in a
beautiful arena where our NHL team plays?"
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4/4/2016 High schoolgirls hockey: 20th state tournament begins Wednesday—Twin Cities
Palmquist is the only girls hockey coach from that first season in 1994-95 who is still on the job.
Apple Valley defeated South St. Paul 2-0 in the first championship game in 1995. The Packers went on to win
four state championships, finish runner-up twice and third three times.
"We're still learning and growing," Palmquist said of girls hockey in Minnesota.
"There has been remarkable progress. While we've seen great individual players come and go, we are now
seeing that championships are won by team accomplishments. The next part of ourjourney is to continue
growing the sport."
Fifty-eight schools played in the Class A field this season, 65 in Class 2A.
Here is a snapshot of what to watch for in the 20th edition, which begins Wednesday at the Xcel Energy
Center for the ninth time.
Benilde-St. Margaret's earned the top seed, in part, by dethroning three -time defending state champ
Minnetonka in the Section 6 semifinals. The Red Knights know what it takes to win a state title, claiming
crowns in 2002 and '04. Gophers recruit Kelly Pannek has 34 goals and 54 assists, and teammate Caitlin
Reilly has 44 goals and 39 assists.
Hill -Murray, last year's big -school runner-up, is the No. 2 seed and might have what it takes to win it all this
time.
The Pioneers have scored 131 goals this season and allowed 36. Sarah Bobrowsky leads a balanced attack
with 19 goals and 21 assists.
Eden Prairie could be a sneaky No. 3 seed. Three of its seven losses are to Hill -Murray. Two came against
Benilde-St. Margaret's. If the Eagles learned their lessons, they could improve on their fourth -place finish
from last season.
But if the formula for winning a state championship means having a stellar goalie, then perhaps Lakeville
North is poised for a title run. Junior Abby Cooper had a standout season in her first year as starter,
compiling a .973 save percentage and a school -record 13 shutouts.
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4/4/2016 High schoolgirls hockey: 20th state tournament begins Wednesday—Twin Cities
The top seed in its first state appearance, East Grand Forks has a school -record 24 victories, and its two
losses to Thief River Falls were avenged with a double -overtime victory in the section final.
The Green Wave have allowed just 30 goals this season. Haley Mack has 39 goals and 35 assists, and Riley
Koberinski has 24 goals and 26 assists.
Blake, the No. 2 seed, is the defending small -school champion.
The Bears have won four state championships and are 4-0 against three other teams in the small -school
field. Sophomore Carly Bullock leads the Bears with 45 goals and 15 assists. Karlie Lund has 22 goals and 33
assists.
Red Wing, the No. 3 seed, has enough firepower to win it all. Senior Nicole Schammel, one of the leading
scorers in Minnesota girls hockey history, has 446 career points.
This season, the Minnesota State Mankato recruit has 58 goals and 42 assists. Teammate Reagan Haley has
21 goals and 55 assists.
St. Paul United, a co-op of St. Paul Academy and Visitation, was within hours of playing Achiever Academy
for the Section 4 championship when the private online school in Vadnais Heights withdrew from the
postseason because of ineligible players.
St. Paul United advanced to its first state tournament via a 1-0 forfeit.
A team with just three seniors and three juniors is led by senior Alev Baysoy, who has 22 goals and 17
assists, and freshman Joie Phelps, who has 15 goals and 14 assists.
• Pannek was the Class A Ms. Soccer Award winner last fall. She helped the Red Knights win the small -
school title.
• Baysoy has dual citizenship in the United States and Turkey.
• St. Paul United has no team nickname.
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• Proctor/Hermantown's nickname is "The Mirage."
• Lakeville North's Dani Sadek is the daughter of former Gophers quarterback Brett Sadek. Her cousin is
Brady Skjei, who plays for the University of Minnesota men's hockey team.
Follow Tim Leighton at twiitteir.com/Prelp.s._.Now.
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