The Star 
Daimon Gardner, Warroad 

A day after Prior Lake’s Alex Bump set the world on fire with five goals in the Lakers’ win over Cretin-Derham Hall, Warroad’s Gardner made his own case for Mr. Hockey consideration. 
Gardner scored twice in the first period and then once more in the second for the hat trick, bringing his state tournament totals to six goals and seven points. 

The Stalwart
Brent Gulenchyn, Mahtomedi

Gulenchyn scored two goals for the Zephyrs on Friday, and although neither included a toe-drag or a popped water bottle, they enabled Mahtomedi to keep pace with goal-happy Warroad. Gulenchyn’s energy was applauded by Zephyr Head Coach Jeff Poeschl, as was his leadership and commitment to the program. Gulenchyn is a senior captain.

The Savior
Matt Hard, Warroad 

When the world’s eyes turned to stars Daimon Gardner and Jayson Shaugabay as Friday’s game entered overtime, the line’s center emerged as the hero. Hard’s goal on a power play in overtime won’t win any “prettiest goal” contests, but it didn’t have to. Hard’s effort below the dots and his golden goal send the Warriors to the Class A State Tournament championship for the first time since 2009.  

The Quote 

“It doesn’t always show up on the scoresheet, and you don’t always get a lot of notoriety for winning battles in the corner, but when it comes to winning hockey games, it’s a huge part. He does those things so well.”

- Warroad Head Coach Jay Hardwick on senior forward Matt Hard

The Star
Hermantown’s depth 

Much ado has been made (and will continue to be made, given they all return next season) about Hermantown’s top forward line of Zam Plante, Max Plante, and Kade Kohanski. The trio has combined for 181 points this season. However, on Friday, the depth of the Hawks’ forward group took over, with goals coming from Gavin Blomdahl, Josh Kauppinen, Dom Thomas, and Dallas Vieau. That extra scoring punch will come in handy on Saturday as Warroad and Hermantown’s top units butt heads for at least three periods. 

The Stalwart
Ty Hanson, Hermantown 

Hanson earned the team’s famed pink bicycle helmet as Player of the Game on Friday, scoring a goal and adding three assists. The Minnesota Duluth commit has shown well in St. Paul, reaffirming the comment Head Coach Pat Andrews made that the defense is the backbone of the Hawk machine.  

The Savior
Tyler Kludt, Alexandria 

Kludt scored just over two minutes into the game to spot Alexandria a 1-0 lead, launching a bomb off a face-off in the Hermantown zone. Kludt’s goal “saved” the Cardinals from being shut out during the game, and his goal offered the Cardinal faithful seven minutes of hope before the dam broke.  

The Quote 

“We’ve been dreaming about this since we were little Ice-Mites, skating on rinks back in Hermantown, so we’ve been itching, waiting to get out on the ice to show what we can do. We’ve got the whole town behind us, and we’ll be ready for (the game) tomorrow.”

- Hermantown’s Gavin Blomdahl on the journey from Hermantown youth hockey to the state finals