Moorhead, Warroad win boys hockey state championships in overtime thrillers
Championship Saturday delivered overtime thrillers, with both Moorhead and Warroad claiming the 2A and 1A titles in come-from-behind victories.

By Joe Christensen, Olivia Hicks, Jim Paulsen and Grace Praxmarer
The Minnesota Star Tribune
Evan Wanner snapped a wrist shot in the second overtime off an assist from Max Cullen to give Moorhead the 5-4 victory over Minnetonka and the 2026 Class 2A boys hockey state championship Saturday, March 7, at Grand Casino Arena.
Minnetonka set the tone early, scoring a power-play goal less than three minutes the game, commanding three goal lead into the first intermission.
Moorhead came out the gate aggressive, looking to put pressure on Minnetonka, but sophomore defenseman Drew Kortan was whistled for cross-checking at 1:15 of the first period.
Minnetonka wasted little time taking advantage of the miscue, taking a 1-0 lead when Jordan Johnson one-timed a cross-ice pass from Danny Browning past Moorhead coach Will Arnold at 2:45.
Minnetonka expanded the lead to 2-0 when senior Ethan Sturgis, a Dartmouth commit, drove the net and swept in a shot past Arnold. The Skippers made it 3-0 barely four minutes later when Cash Hardie whistled a wrist shot past Arnold.
Both teams scored in the second period and a three-goal margin carried into the third period.
Moorhead sophomore Joey Cullen knocked in a puck while standing near the crease, making the score 4-2.
Spuds senior Zac Zimmerman added to his cache of big goals, scoring twice in the third period — including the tying goal with 35 seconds left and the Moorhead net empty — to tie the score and force overtime.
Neither team mounted much of a threat in the first OT, leading to the dramatic conclusion in the second extra session, although the Minnetonka faithful roared when the Skippers had a puck knocked into the net, but it occurred after the whistle had blown.
In the Class 1A title game, after Warroad’s Gavin Andersen scored the tying goal with 46 seconds remaining in regulation, Mooney Shaugabay knocked in the game winner one minute into overtime, giving the Warriors a 5-4 victory over Hibbing/Chisholm.
Read more, and view photos from the Class 1A final, here.
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Moorhead players honor former teammate
In the jubilant aftermath of Moorhead’s double-overtime victory, the players collectively were carrying the jersey of former youth hockey teammate and Moorhead team manager Ethan Monshaugen. Monshaugen died at the age of 16 two years ago of a bleeding disorder known as Von Willebrand’s disease.
“We played with him growing up,” said Spuds senior left wing Tyden Bergeson. “We’ve had his jersey in a seat on the bench since that happened.”
— Jim Paulsen
Greater Minnesota vs. Twin Cities in big-school classification championship games
Here’s the rundown of Outstate vs. Metro in Class 2A title games since 1992.
There have been 16 meetings (outstate has won four times, Moorhead has been in it eight times with a record of 2-6 after Saturday’s win).
2026: Moorhead 5, Minnetonka 4 (2OT)
2025: Moorhead 7, Stillwater 6
2018: Minnetonka 5, Duluth East 2
2015: Lakeville North 4, Duluth East 1
2011: Eden Prairie 3, Duluth East 2 (3OT)
2009: Eden Prairie 3, Moorhead 0
2006: Cretin-Derham Hall 7, Grand Rapids 0
2005: Holy Angels 6, Moorhead 4
2004: Centennial 1, Moorhead 0
2001: Elk River 8, Moorhead 1
2000: Blaine 6, Duluth East 0
1999: Roseau 4, Hastings 0
1998: Duluth East 3, Anoka 1
1997: Edina 1, Duluth East 0
1994: Bloomington Jefferson 3, Moorhead 1
1992: Bloomington Jefferson 6, Moorhead 3
Interesting fact …
Moorhead was making its 18th tourney appearance and Minnetonka its seventh. The two teams have only appeared in the same tournament once, in 1994, and they did not play each other. Moorhead reached title game, losing to Bloomington Jefferson, which won its third straight title. Minnetonka went 0-2 ... losing in quarters to Duluth East and Osseo in consolation semifinals.
— Joel Rippel
Final: Moorhead 5, Minnetonka 4, 2OT
Evan Wanner scored the game winner, assisted by Max Cullen, to deliver Moorhead its second straight Class 2A state championship.
— Olivia Hicks
Who will score the game winner?
Max Cullen, Tyden Bergeson and Zac Zimmerman are possible scorers for Moorhead; Cash Hardie, Ethan Sturgis and Liam Schultz are possibilities for Minnetonka.
— Jim Paulsen
Longest game every played in the state tournament?
Longest game (elapsed time): 93 minutes, 12 seconds in Class 2A semifinals (March 8, 1996) ... Apple Valley 5, Duluth East 4, in 5 OTs.
Most OTs for a state tournament game: In the 1955 quarterfinals (Feb. 24, 1955: Minneapolis South 3, Thief River Falls 2, in 87:50 over 11 overtimes (periods were 12 minutes, OTs 5 minutes).
— Joel Rippel
Overtime recap: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 4
As the state final game ends one round of overtime and enters into another, both teams found a rhythm with shots on goal with the Skippers outshooting the Spuds 27-22.
Junior forward Brayden Haffer brought two chances for Minnetonka while senior forward Tyden Bergeson and junior forward Zac Zimmerman both had good looks for Moorhead. None were able to find the back of the net, though.
— Olivia Hicks
When was the last time we saw 2OT in the state title?
We’re glad you asked:
- Class 1A championship in 2023: Mahtomedi 6, Warroad 5
- Class 2A championship in 2022: Andover 6, Maple Grove 5
Other championship games of at least two overtimes:
- The 2A title game in 2011: Eden Prairie 3, Duluth East 2, in 3 OT
- The 1A title game in 2005: Warroad 4, Totino-Grace 3, in 2OT
- The Tier II title game in 1993: Eveleth-Gilbert 3, Lake of the Woods 2, 2 OT
- Single class tourney of 1978: Eden East 5, Roseau 4, 2OT
— Joel Rippel
Attendance announced
Attendance for the Class 2A championship game: 19,648.
All fans appear to be standing.
— Jim Paulsen
Overtime: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 4
Is it really a state title final game unless there is a tied scoreboard with 36 seconds to go in the third period?
Zac Zimmerman did it again and didn’t waste a second with a slap into Minnetonka’s goal. With the Skippers’ outshooting Moorhead 24-18, the Spuds will try their luck at an overtime comeback.
The Skippers, however, don’t tire easily. Minnetonka is primed to stop Moorhead from a repeat title.
— Olivia Hicks
Overtime: Moorhead 4, Minnetonka 4
You just had a feeling this was going to happen. It appeared Minnetonka spend much of the third period playing not to lose.
— Jim Paulsen
Third period: Moorhead 4, Minnetonka 4
And there it is! The Spuds came all the way back, tied the score at 4-4 when Minnetonka failed to clear the zone.
Zac Zimmerman, who has a reputation for scoring clutch goals, got the goal.
— Jim Paulsen
Third period: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 3
Moorhead took a time out after Max Cullen crashed into the goal. Just over two minutes was left on the clock.
Moorhead was on the power play after Minnetonka’s Cameron Merrick was called for hooking. Big chance for Moorhead to equalize things.
— Jim Paulsen
Third period: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 3
Zac Zimmerman almost didn’t return to Moorhead for his junior hockey season. Days before the start of the regular season, Zimmerman decided to give a state title another shot and stayed home from the Fargo Force. And the Spuds’ are likely glad he did.
The junior forward’s 26th goal of the season brought Moorhead up to just a one-point deficit against Minnetonka.
— Olivia Hicks
Third period: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 3
The Spuds made it a one-goal game when Zac Zimmerman tipped a shot from the boards past Chase Jerdee. Still six minutes left in the game and Moorhead is in full come-back mode.
— Jim Paulsen
Third period: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 2
Breaking down that goal from sophomore forward phenom Joey Cullen: After Zac Zimmerman lofted a pass toward the right side of the net, Cullen was there to dump it in with a left-handed flick right past Minnetonka goaltender Chase Jerdee’s helmet and into the netting.
“We love Joey! We love Joey!” the Moorhead student section shouted as the sophomore took his victory lap.
— Olivia Hicks
Third period: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 2
Moorhead went on the power play after a roughing call on Minnetonka’s Liam Schultz. The Spuds converted when Joey Cullen scored to cut the margin to two goals with less than 10 minutes remaining.
— Jim Paulsen
Third period: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 1
Minnetonka just sticks to its style, playing passing lanes, deflecting passes and minimizing Moorhead’s chances.
— Jim Paulsen
Third period: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 1
The Skippers currently have a four-way tie for the most assists in this game with Eliott Schultz, Cooper Rannow, Liam Schultz and Danny Browning all having one apiece. Moorhead junior forward Max Cullen and senior forward Tyden Bergeson each have one for the Spuds.
Moorhead goaltender Will Arnold’s game save percentage currently sits at .789 while senior Chase Jerdee’s is .929.
— Olivia Hicks
Second-period recap: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 1
Sophomore goaltender Will Arnold boasted a .947 save percentage in the semifinal game against Edina but has let four of Minnetonka’s 19 shots get into the net so far this game.
Senior Minnetonka goaltender Chase Jerdee had a .870 save percentage in the Skippers’ semifinal game against Rosemount and a .922 season save percentage. Only one of the Spuds’ 13 shots have found the back of his net in this championship game.
— Olivia Hicks
End of second period: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 1
Moorhead put on more pressure in the offensive zone in the period, but did it cost them a little on the defensive end? Max Aronson’s goal with less the two minutes left in the period was a huge momentum killer for Moorhead.
Minnetonka leads in shots on goal 19-13.
— Jim Paulsen
Second period: Minnetonka 4, Moorhead 1
Max Aronson bumped the Minnetonka lead back to three by picking up a free puck in front and beating Moorhead goalie Will Arnold.
— Jim Paulsen
Second period: Minnetonka 3, Moorhead 1
Moorhead is clearly the more dynamic offensive team. Minnetonka counters well, playing good positional defense and picking their spots.
— Jim Paulsen
Second period: Minnetonka 3, Moorhead 1
Tyden Bergeson racked his 52nd assist of the season on the Moorhead goal. His 52 assists lead the state. He also got his 81st point on that Moorhead goal. Max Cullen, who scored two goals against Lakeville South in the quarterfinal game, secured his 34th assist of the season.
— Olivia Hicks
Second period: Minnetonka 3, Moorhead 1
The Spuds got on the board when Michael Herman tapped in a puck that had eluded Minnetonka goalie Chase Jerdee.
Tyden Bergeson and Max Cullen were on the assist.
— Jim Paulsen
Second period: Minnetonka 3, Moorhead 0
Moorhead is putting on pressure, but Minnetonka’s defense is giving goalie Chase Jerdee good sightlines, keeping the area in front of the net clear.
Minnetonka owns the edge in shots on net, 14-9.
— Jim Paulsen
First-period recap: Minnetonka 3, Moorhead 0
That wasn’t what Moorhead had in mind. Minnetonka got the offense going with a strong power play, when Jordan Johnson converted a cross-ice pass from Danny Browning at 2:45. Minnetonka’s team speed resulted in two more goals and suddenly, the Skippers have a 3-0 lead.
Moorhead responded by attacking to the offensive zone, but Minnetonka’s vaunted defense and goalie Chase Jerdee kept the Spuds off the scoreboard. Moorhead is likely to come out racing after the first intermission.
— Jim Paulsen
What’s at stake?
Minnetonka, ranked the state’s No. 1 team regardless of class by Strib Varsity, is playing for its third state title, while Moorhead, the defending state champion and No. 2-ranked team, is playing for its second title.
First period: Minnetonka 3, Moorhead 0
Two of Minnetonka’s first period goal scorers offered a glimpse into what sets the team up for success in high-stakes games like this Class 2A final in Friday’s post-semifinal debrief.
“We all got in the locker room, our kind of mindset was ‘Refuse to lose and just give it your all,’” said senior forward Ethan Sturgis about the semifinal game.
“We have high stress and high emotion during practice, so it kind of just builds us for these moments,” added senior forward Jordan Johnson. “If [head coach Sean Goldsworthy] didn’t coach hard, we wouldn’t be ready for these big opportunities, like tonight’s game. So I just think it’s really helpful to have that discipline to bring out when you really need it.
”The two, along with the third goal scorer Cash Hardie, clearly brought that energy to this state title matchup against defending champs Moorhead. Johnson opened the state final game with a goal at 2:45. Sturgis scored the Skippers’ second goal seven minutes into the first period.
— Olivia Hicks
First period: Minnetonka 3, Moorhead 0
Moorhead goaltender Will Arnold his having a tough night. He allowed another stoppable shot to get past him when Minnetonka sophomore Cash Hardie scored his fourth goal of the tournament. He took the puck off the boards at center ice, raced into the Moorhead zone and beat Arnold with a wrist shot as he was crossing in front of the goal.
— Jim Paulsen
First period: Minnetonka 2, Moorhead 0
Skippers right wing Ethan Sturgis carried the puck into the offensive zone and swept the puck past Moorhead goalie Will Arnold as he drove the net. A bit of a soft goal. The goal put Moorhead in a tough position with 9:28 still remaining in the first period … lots of time left.
— Jim Paulsen
First period: Minnetonka 1, Moorhead 0
Skippers drew first blood when senior center Jordan Johnson scored a power-play goal when he one-timed a cross-ice pass from Danny Browing, making the Spuds pay for an unfortunate cross-check a minute earlier.
— Jim Paulsen
Thousands fill Grand Casino Arena
Under five minutes until Minnetonka and Moorhead return to the ice for the Class 2A championship game. I say return because both teams are already warmed up. They returned to the locker rooms to all the ice to be resurfaced.
The arena is filling up fast, with the most remaining seats located at each end of rink. The dedicated fan rooting sections.
— Jim Paulsen
Meet the Blake student doubling as Spuddy
Bennett Wieland has no obvious connection to Moorhead.
He won’t graduate from Moorhead High in May. He wasn’t raised as one of the 45,000 residents who call the city home, and he has no known family ties to the town, school or hockey team.
But when he slips on the potato costume ahead of Moorhead’s Class 2A state title game against Minnetonka at 7 p.m., the senior at the Blake School will transform into a Spud — both literally and in spirit.
“There’s no Moorhead connection,” Wieland said in between periods during Moorhead’s state semifinal game against Edina on Friday, March 6. “It’s just, wow, he called to me on a spiritual level.”
He’s been a Moorhead fan ever since he laid eyes on Spuddy.
“The vibe of the Spud just embodies something about the tourney that I just love,” Wieland said.
Wieland, who grew up playing hockey but is now a swimmer and the leader of the student pilot club, has visited the state tournament as a fan for 18 years: “I was born in January 2008 and then, in March 2008, my parents had me in seats,” he recalled. But of all the state tourneys, last year stood out to him.
“Last year at the semifinal game, my mom, brother and I were like, ‘They don’t have the Spud here. Wouldn’t it be really funny if somebody were to just go into their student section with a potato costume?’” Wieland said.
The idea stuck. The next morning Wieland went to SR Harris Fabric, ate potato soup and suited up. When Moorhead lifted the 2A trophy overhead later that night, Wieland was there in the student section dressed like a potato.
It may have started as a joke, but Wieland’s brief double life as Moorhead’s mascot struck something deeper. In October, he wrote his senior speech, a graduation requirement at Blake, about what Spuddy taught him and will take those lessons onto George Washington University next fall.
“I got up on stage in front of about 500 people in the Spud suit and I talked about how you can’t be half a Spud,” he said. “It’s not Schrodinger, like you just have to be not a Spud or Spud. I put my whole heart into everything, I can’t be half a Spud.”
When Moorhead won the Section 8, 2A championship against Elk River/Zimmerman in February, Wieland had more than a few hours to prepare. He emailed the Moorhead orchestra teacher Brian Cole with a simple request.
“In order to do great things, one must fully commit to the bit,” Wieland wrote. “I want to offer up my services. I understand this may seem like a prank, but I’m being so incredibly serious. If you need a Spud in the stands, I’m your Spud.”
The Blake senior stood in front of the orange-clad student section on March 6, leading chants as the honorary Spud. But even as he pressed his potato costume against the glass as the clock ticked down and Moorhead secured its ticket to the finals, he insisted he’s both a Moorhead Spud and a Blake Bear at heart.
“My love for the Spuds does not diminish my love for the Bears,” Wieland reassured. “It’s not mutually exclusive.”
— Olivia Hicks
Pregame: Minnetonka vs. Moorhead
One hundred and forty-one boys high school hockey teams kicked off their season in November. We’re down to just two that are still playing.
Minnetonka and Moorhead meet with the Class 2A championship on the line at 7 p.m. at Grand Casino Arena.
The teams have spent much of the season at the top of the state polls. Minnetonka won the lone meeting between the two, winning 4-2 in Moorhead on Dec. 20.
The game has been portrayed as a battle of defense vs. offense. Minnetonka is considered the state’s top defense, allowing just 1.3 goals per game. Moorhead is full of talented players that can put the puck in the net, but Edina coach Curt Giles noted in the postgame press conference Friday that Moorhead is more than just a group of talented offensive players.
“They have the reputation for great offense, but they’re a great defensive team, too,” Giles said. “They can shut you down and they have defensemen who move the puck well.”
— Jim Paulsen
Attendance record broken for 1A session
Today’s Class 1A championship drew an announced attendance of 10,518, surpassing last year’s then-record crowd of 10,053 for the 1A title game.
Total Class 1A attendance this year was 37,485, up from last year’s record of 34,899.
— Joe Christensen
Warroad is back on top
It took the Warriors 21 years — and one thriller of a championship game Saturday, March 7, at Grand Casino Arena, but Warroad is back atop Minnesota’s Class 1A boys hockey landscape.
Warroad’s Gavin Andersen scored the tying goal, sending the game in overtime and setting the state for Mooney Shaugabay’s game winner.
Read more, and view photos from the game, here.
Final: Warroad 5, Hibbing/Chisholm 4 (OT)
After Warroad’s Gavin Andersen scored the tying goal with 46 seconds remaining in regulation, Mooney Shaugabay knocked in the game winner one minute into overtime, giving the Warriors a 5-4 victory over Hibbing/Chisholm.
Check back for much more on this game.
— Joe Christensen
End of regulation: Hibbing/Chisholm 4, Warroad 4
With just 46 seconds remaining in regulation, Warroad scored the tying goal. Gavin Andersen, who has been on fire all tournament, deflected a shot from the point by Broden Hontvet, redirecting it into the net.
This championship game will be settled in overtime.
— Joe Christensen
Warroad family relishes trip to state tournament
For many fans, the state tournament is quite “remarkable.”
“You can go anywhere and tell people about this tournament, and some people don’t believe it until you actually open up the paper, show them the photos or the kids talk about it,” Kelly Biondi said.
Friday, the Class 1A semifinals saw a record 14,422 fans crowd into Grand Casino Arena. Biondi and Tracy Atkinson were among those in attendance, and they joined nearly 25 other family members to watch the championship matchup on Saturday. Atkinson drove over six hours to watch her nephew play with Warroad.
For their nephew, they said, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“There’s so few kids in the state of Minnesota that actually get this moment,” Biondi said. “So for him to experience that, we’re just all very grateful that he has a chance to say he was here and he played, and just to be able to look back on that moment in years to come will be really quite incredible.”
The commute was nothing compared to the journey the Warroad’s boys hockey team took to get to St. Paul.
“These kids, this is their life,” Biondi said. “They eat, sleep and breathe hockey. Their rinks are open all day, sometimes all night.”
— Grace Praxmarer
Third period: Hibbing/Chisholm 4, Warroad 3
Hibbing’s Whitaker Rewertz strikes again. The supremely talented sophomore tied this game with 4:36 remaining in regulation. Wrist shot. Glove side. His second goal of the game and fourth of the tournament.
And then Hibbing took the lead. Benny Galli knocks in a rebound goal with 3:45 remaining.
— Joe Christensen
Third period: Warroad 3, Hibbing/Chisholm 2
The Bluejackets climbed closer with 14:12 remaining in the third period. Isaiah Hildenbrand did some relentless digging net-front and poked the puck in. Warroad goalie Patrick Kennedy has been terrific and made several saves before Hibbing got that second one.
— Joe Christensen
Two Hibbing/Chisholm fans poke fun at officials
The traditional black-and-white striped shirts worn by referees aren’t limited to the ice at the state tournament. Two flash from the front row of Hibbing/Chisholm’s student section.
“The refs haven’t been the best to us — Hibbing — lately, and I figured we’d come out and have to take control of the ice,” Reece Ringhofer, senior at Hibbing High School, said.
Ringhofer’s comment likely refers to Hibbing’s leading scorer, Cole Swanson, sitting out of the quarterfinal round Wednesday due to a suspension. The team also served three minor penalties in that game and another three during Friday’s semifinal against Mahtomedi.
Ringhoefer and Nick Stalboerger traded the student section’s traditional white attire for official stripes. Being sure to stand out, both seniors also bleached their hair blonde to match the Hibbing players’ style.
Standing in the front row, they have one of the best views of the ice, and their favorite part is just that: “The players jumping into the boards right in front of us.”
While the seniors said they were most looking forward to celebrating Hibbing’s win today, that excitement dimmed by the end of the second period. Hibbing is trailing 3-1 to Warroad, leaving the student section’s hopes in question.
— Grace Praxmarer
End of second period: Warroad 3, Hibbing/Chisholm 1
You knew Warroad’s Mooney Shaugabay would have a big moment in this game, and it came with 1:08 remaining in the period. He shook a defender in the corner and whistled a pass to Gavin Andersen, who buried his fourth goal of the tournament.
Hibbing had a great scoring chance after that, but Warroad goalie Patrick Kennedy made a superb toe save and stopped another shot with his other leg.
— Joe Christensen
Second period: Warroad 2, Hibbing/Chisholm 1
I predicted this game would be a track meet, and it sure wasn’t looking that way — until recently.
Hibbing sophomore Whitaker Rewertz electrified this place with a tying goal, stickhandling around several players and beating the goalie glove side.
Less than a minute later, Warroad regained the lead on a shot from the top of the circle from Ayven Hontvet. This could turn into a track meet just yet.
— Joe Christensen
Hibbing/Chisholm moms turning heads with hairstyles
It wasn’t just the hockey turning heads here at Grand Casino; it was a sea of blonde perms and Hibbing pride.
A dedicated group of over half a dozen Hibbing/Chisholm moms traded their normal hairdos for towering, bleached blonde curly perms, emulating a prominent style from the 80s. They wore custom jerseys with their last names stitched across the back to honor their sons, who are seniors competing with Hibbing/Chisholm in the championship game.
Among the flashy group of moms: Katie Hildenbrand, Kristen Sundvall and Nicole Lamphere.
“If the boys are going to bleach and hit the hockey hair, then we have to do it too,” one said.
Another added, “The boys have gotten all of the attention since they were 4-years-old. It’s our turn.”
It’s been 32 years since Hibbing has been in the state championship game. The moms’ sons — Ethan Sundvall, Isaiah Hildenbrand and Gavin Lamphere — have been playing together since they were 4-years-old, and they have dreamed of making the state championship ever since.
“It’s surreal, it’s what they have been working for for years. It’s everything they could have ever wanted, and I think we’re more nervous than they are,” Kristen Sundvall said, with several of the moms growing emotional.
They’ve been here since Tuesday, trekking 3½ hours to support the team, and spending each of the five days crying.
“It’s been their dream and their goal since they were little,” Kristen Sundvall said. “It’s like to watch it finally come to fruition their senior year is like everything we could ever dream of. It’s amazing.”
The school has seen significant amounts of support, evident in the number of fans walking the concourse decked out in Hibbing attire. The team even received a video shoutout from UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.
— Grace Praxmarer
End of first period: Warroad 1, Hibbing/Chisholm 0
Hibbing/Chisholm has 12 shots on goal, compared to seven for Warroad. Hibbing’s Mr. Hockey finalist Tate Swanson had a quiet period — no shots on goal. His younger brother and linemate Cole Swanson loomed dangerously throughout that period, and you have to imagine those two will be making an impact on this one soon.
— Joe Christensen
First period: Warroad 1, Hibbing 0
Warroad sophomore Conner Lund opened the scoring 1:14 into the first period with a wrist shot from the top of the circle that went off the post and in. Now Hibbing is on the chase.
— Joe Christensen
Preview
Championship Saturday is hitting full stride, with Hibbing and Warroad getting ready to play for the Class 1A title.
The noon faceoff will be delayed a bit, as Mahtomedi and Delano played into overtime in the third place game, with Mahtomedi winning 4-3.
I saw several Hibbing fans on my walk into Grand Casino Arena. It’s a three-hour drive here, so some of them were able to make spur of the moment decisions to come to this one. Not as easy as for those coming six hours from Warroad.
Check back here for updates on this historic matchup.
— Joe Christensen
About the Authors
Joe Christensen
Strib Varsity Enterprise Reporter
Joe Christensen is our Strib Varsity Enterprise Reporter and moved into this position after several years as an editor. Joe graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2005.
See MoreOlivia Hicks
Strib Varsity Reporter
Olivia Hicks is a reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.
See MoreJim Paulsen
Reporter
Jim Paulsen is a high school sports reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.
See MoreGrace Praxmarer




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