The top-seeded and defending champion Brainerd/Little Falls Warriors (22-4-1 overall) and North Wright County River Hawks (22-5) hockey teams have similar records heading into the Section 8-2A championship game 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at Runestone Arena in Alexandria.
But there's little similarity in the records that the two teams have compiled in recent seasons. The Warriors have a 70-14-1 record over the past three seasons and will be playing in their third-straight section final. Meanwhile, NWC (St. Michael-Albertville/Monticello/Annandale) is making its first title game appearance since the 2012-13 season when the River Hawks, coached by Brainerd High School graduate Jason Johnson, defeated Moorhead for the section crown.
"Being in three-straight section finals is pretty rare," said B/LF coach Jim Ernster. "You're fortunate to experience that opportunity, but the only thing that matters is your next game."
Ernster is also downplaying his team's two victories this season over the River Hawks-the Warriors won 4-2 at home Dec. 18 and triumphed 3-2 at the Walser Invitational in Edina Dec. 26.
"We had a positive history against (NWC) this season, but now we're both 2-0 in the playoffs," Ernster said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ernster also knows that the River Hawks have won 12 of 13 games, including defeating Roseau 2-1 in the semifinals, since losing twice to B/LF in December.
"They have a skilled goaltender (Anna LaRose) and talented scorers," he said of NWC, which has outscored its last five opponents 18-2. "Defensively, they're good with their sticks and do a good job of cutting you off when you enter the (offensive) zone."
The River Hawks are primarily led by three players-juniors MacKenzie Bourgerie and Sydney Lemke and freshman Chloe Finnerty. Bourgerie had 28 goals and 67 points during the regular season while Lemke had 34 goals and 58 points and Finnerty 13 goals and 51 points. In two playoff games, Bourgerie had three goals and four points on nine shots, while Lemke had one goal and four points on six shots.
"The key for us will be to neutralize their first line," Ernster said. "Those three are really skilled. If you give them any open ice, they will take advantage of it. We need to do a good job of getting to the loose pucks."
The goaltending matchup will also be a key to Friday's game as both projected starters, junior Anna LaRose for NWC and senior Olivia King, have each won 21 games this season. LaRose has compiled a 1.62 goals-against average and a 92.8 save percentage with seven shutouts while King had a 1.57 GAA, 91.5 save percentage and four shutouts.
King has played especially well in the second half of the season to help the Warriors win 16 of 18 games, including four straight games by a 19-4 scoring margin.
"Our last two games have been good, and the third period of our last game was really good," Ernster said. "They say you often start your next game the way you finished your last game. So we feel good about the direction we're moving."
The Warriors' top regular-season scorer, Lindsey Booth, is out for the season with an injury. B/LF's other top scorers include Abby Pohlkamp, 25 goals and 39 points; Cheyenne Abear, 18 goals and 34 points; Gabbie Smith, 19 goals and 32 points and Sophie Robinson, five goals and 24 points. Pohlkamp has five points, Smith and Robinson four points and Shaylee Stroot three assists in two playoff games.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We are playing well, but we can't rest (on our past success)," said Abear, whose team defeated Roseau 2-1 in last year's section final to earn its first trip to the Class 2A state tournament. "We have to go out on the ice and prove ourselves all of the time."
The Warriors are champions of the Central Lakes Conference while the River Hawks are Mississippi 8 Conference champions.
