Championship: Section 8A/AA – 3, Section 7A/AA – 1

Section 8A/AA continued its dominant run Sunday. After winning its first two games 10-1 and 4-2, Section 8 completed the weekend with a 3-0 win over Section 7A/AA to win the Girls HP 16 title.

The scoring got going early for Section 8. They peppered Section 7 early with shots. Brianna Krejci (Moorhead) was the first one to break through as she knocked in a loose puck to score her first goal of the tournament. That goal was the lone score of the first half.

In the second half, Section 8 got itself some breathing room. Kayla Santl (Roseau) scored her third goal of the tournament nearly halfway through the second half when she converted on a breakaway opportunity.

A little more than two minutes later, Section 8 was on the board again Genevieve Hendrickson (Warroad) made it 3-0.

Section 7’s tournament ended with a second-place finish after picking up a pair 2-1 wins earlier in the tournament. While Section 7 couldn’t scratch the scoreboard Sunday, its goaltenders — Josephine Bothun (Forest Lake) and Amanda Pelkey (Andover) — combined for 26 saves in the championship game.

On the other side, Section 8 clamped down defensively and thwarted any offensive threats from Section 7. Section 8 was led by netminders Nettie Kimble (Bemidji) and Gabriella Steele (Thief River Falls). They combined for 21 saves in the win.

“We did a good job of keeping them to the outside,” Steele said after the win. “From there, we got pucks to the net.”

Both of these teams, which feature players from the northern portion of the state, will head home following their strong performances this weekend.
“It’s been great meeting these new girls,” Steele said. “This will definitely make me better during my next season with my high school team.”

Section 7 was led by general manager Nate Reinccius and coaches Dale Sager and Brad Hyduke. Section 8’s coaches were Emilly Sell and Rob Aitken. The team’s general manager was Kelly Morris.

3rd place game: Section 6A/AA – 2, Section 5A/AA 1 (OT)

For the second time this weekend, Section 6A/AA played a game that went to an extra session. Once again, Section 6A/AA left with a win. Section 5A/AA jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first half thanks to a goal late in the opening frame from Lauren Stenslie (Maple Grove). Section 6 got the equalizer in the second half thanks to Kelly Collins (Edina). In the extra session, another Edina Hornet would score for Section 6. That would be Hannah Chorske (Edina), who got the winner about halfway through the five-minute overtime period. Section 6 picked up its second win of the tournament thanks to goaltenders Ava Christie (Blake) and Carly Greene (Benilde-St. Margaret’s). They combined to stop 15 shots. For Section 5, Anna Gilgosch (Centennial) and Eliya Johnson (Coon Rapids) stopped 29 shots.

5th place game: Section 2A/AA – 5, Section 1A/AA – 2

After jumping out to a 4-0 led in the first half, Section 2A/AA rolled as it took home fifth place with a 5-2 win against Section 1A/AA. The trio of Sydney Langseth (Eden Prairie), Lauren Spear (Chaska/Chanhassen) and Lacey Martin (Minnetonka) were the catalysts of the Section 2 offensive attack. They each scored a goal in the first half. Martin also tallied two assists in the opening 24 minutes and Langseth added an assist on Section 2’s fourth goal of the half. That was scored by Paige Pavlish (Prior Lake). In the second half, Section 1 cut the lead in half thanks to goals from Sydney Antonakis (Lakeville North) and Brooke Power (Lakeville North). Section 2 would hold its lead, however, while Martin added her second goal of the game. In goal, Aidan Edge (Minnetonka) and Olivia Rinzel (Chaska/Chanhassen) combined for their second win of the tournament while making 13 saves. Corrin Hanson (Rochester Lourdes) and Anna Julius (Woodbury) stopped 40 shots.

7th place game: Section 4A/AA – 5, Section 3A/AA 3

The final game of the day proved to have the most offense as Section 4A/AA got its first win of the weekend with a 5-3 defeat of Section 3A/AA. Section 4 jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Ava Stinnett (Hill-Murray), Emme Nelson (Mahtomedi) and Anna Vlaisavljevich (Hill-Murray). Stinnett would add her second of the game later in the half. Section 3 would get back into the game in the opening frame thanks to goals from Sydney Johnson (Apple Valley) and Ashley Tuttle (Rosemount). In the second half, the teams traded goals as Sarah Luger (Hill-Murray) scored on a long shot for Section 4 and Tuttle tallied her second goal of the game. Goaltenders Sophie Cronk (Stillwater) and Rachel Kennedy (Hill-Murray) would combine for 16 saves in the win. Mckenzie Allen (Apple Valley) and Amelia Julian (Eastview) made 29 saves for Section 3.