For the first time in the program's 22-year history, the Brainerd Warriors enter the adapted floor hockey state tournament with an unblemished record.
The Northern Division's top-seeded and unbeaten Warriors (12-0) open in the state quarterfinals at 5 p.m. Friday against South No. 4 Mounds View/Irondale/Robbinsdale at Bloomington Jefferson High School. Brainerd beat MVIR 9-3 and 6-1 during the regular season.
The Warriors, who have outscored the opposition 87-28, appear capable of winning their first state championship since capturing titles in 1998 and 2000. In both of those seasons, Brainerd entered the state tournament with one defeat.
Brainerd coach Todd Person said a state championship is the goal, particularly for Warrior players who have been around a while.
"Two years ago we were 9-1 and went in as the No. 1 seed and lost in the semifinals to Anoka," Person said. "Jake Heikkenen and some of the other kids said 'We're not where we want to be when this thing ends' and they've been working hard toward that."
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Should Brainerd win Friday, it would get the Dakota United vs. Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka winner in the semifinals. Brainerd beat DU 7-2 at the Rochester tournament and defeated RHMW three times.
If the Warriors reach the final, their likely opponent might be either South No. 1 seed Rochester or North No. 2 Anoka-Hennepin. The Warriors beat Rochester 7-2 and defeated A-H three times.
"The only team that has really pushed us is Anoka," Person said. "In all three games that we beat Anoka, we were down to start those games by 1-2 goals. That would be a real concern if we get in the finals and get down and have to battle back. It can be a lot tougher in that situation with pressure, but our kids have responded well all season."
What concerns Person is playing two games within four hours Saturday regardless of how Brainerd does Friday.
"It's difficult especially when you get in those harder games and you've only got 7-8 kids that can get in and play," he said. "With the speed and difficulty of some of those games, the kids can get worn out in a hurry. So in practice the last two weeks-we will have been off 19 days (from games) coming into Friday-we've been doing as much conditioning as we can possibly do with physical impairments to get ready for that big push."
Heikkenen is the Warriors' top offensive threat with 25 goals and 43 points. Rounding out the Warriors' top three scorers are Matt Allord 16 goals, 24 points and Jacob Heinlen eight goals, 23 points.
Other Warrior offensive leaders include Blase Edinger 6 goals, 16 points, Zachary Denny 5-16, Tre'Von Otey 8-14 and Maddox Canon 3-10.
Cody Vleck, an all-tournament selection last year, has been a mainstay in the Brainerd net with a stellar .093 goals-against average and .907 save percentage.
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In Friday's other quarterfinals:
• Dakota United vs. Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka --- A matchup of traditional adapted athletics powers. Dakota United, the reigning state champion, has won seven of its past eight games. Senior center Kyra Patterson leads United with 20 goals. Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka has won six of the past eight PI Division championships. Senior forward Andy Hanson leads the Robins with 21 goals and 11 assists.
• Anoka-Hennepin vs. St. Paul Humboldt --- Anoka-Hennepin was runner-up in 2016. The Mustangs have outscored the opposition 70-23 this season. St. Paul Humboldt, a perennial state tournament entrant, is entering the event off an 8-4 victory over Minneapolis South.
• Rochester vs. Maple Grove --- Rochester won the consolation final in 2016. The Panthers enter the tournament on a 4-game winning streak. Maple Grove is 3-3 in its past six games, including a 14-2 victory over South Suburban entering the tournament.
PI Division
Friday, March 17
Quarterfinals
No. 1N Brainerd/Pillager (12-0) vs. No. 4S Mounds View/Irondale/Roseville (1-9), 5 p.m.
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No. 2S Dakota United (8-5-1) vs. No. 3N Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka (4-6-1), 5 p.m.
No. 2N Anoka-Hennepin (7-3) vs. No. 3S St. Paul Humboldt (4-6), 6:30 p.m.
No. 1S Rochester (11-2) vs. No. 4N Maple Grove (4-6), 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 18
Consolation semifinals 9 a.m.
Championship semifinals 10:30 a.m.
Consolation final 12:15 p.m.
Third place 2:15 p.m.
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Championship 2:30 p.m.
