The Warroad Warriors came up just short in their attempt to be the first girls hockey team with a four-peat.
They lost 3-4 in overtime to last years’ runner-up Dodge County in the Class A championship match Saturday, Feb. 22.
The Warriors beat Orono 2-1 after three overtimes in the semifinals.
One Northern Minnesota team did win a championship, even if not the Class A title. Proctor/Hermantown beat Marshall 2-1 in the consolation final.
Five Northland athletes were chosen for the all-tournament team: Defenseman Avery Milbridge, Proctor/Hermantown, and defenseman Katy Comstock, forwards Jaylie French and Taylor Reese and goalie Payton Rolli, all of Warroad.
Mirage senior forward Jane Eckstrom also won the Class A Herb Brooks Award. The award is given to the most qualified player in the tournament “who strongly represents the values, characteristics, and traits that defined Herb Brooks.”
A news release from the Minnesota State High School League said Eckstrom was chosen for her exceptional leadership and on-ice proficiency.
“The game of hockey is everything to Jane, this is what she lives for day in and day out,” said Proctor/Hermantown coach Emma Stauber in the release.
“She is one of the first on the ice and last to leave, soaking in all the time she can. She plays other sports, but hockey is her priority. She is the one looking to learn and develop more knowledge to be the best she can and help her teammates improve as well, she had to desire to truly understand the game.”
Eckstrom plans to play college hockey at Hamline University.
