The Star 
Maddy Kimbrel, Orono 

Two goals in the first period and one more in the second gave Kimbrel a hat trick in the Spartans' dominant quarterfinal victory over the Otters. Kimbrel scored her second goal from her knees and showed off the numerous tools that make her a critical piece of the University of Wisconsin's 2027 recruiting class. 

The Stalwart
Zoe Lopez, Orono 
All the Minnesota State commit does is produce. Two goals and three assists led the Spartans in scoring for the day, and Lopez's ability to drive into the offensive zone set up at least a dozen chances for teammates. After Wednesday's game, the YHH Player of the Year finalist is up to 34 goals and 54 points. 

The Savior 
Mia Olson, Fergus Falls 
The final stat line isn't glamorous, but Olson kept the Otters in the game during its initial stages with a pair of highlight-reel saves, including a spectacular toe stop in the first period. Without Olson and her 32 saves, the Spartans would have reached double-digits early. 

The Star 
Lily Stelter, Marshall 

Thanks to unfavorable geography and a (relative) lack of a statewide presence, Marshall's schedule can appear light compared to some of its Class A contemporaries. This slate of games can also give off the impression that the Tigers would be overwhelmed skating under the state's brightest hockey lights. 
Stelter's 30 saves proved that the game ain't played on paper, as the sophomore made clutch saves with every piece of her equipment against the defending three-time champion Warriors. 

The Stalwart 
Emmie Hardwick, Warroad 

Hardwick's nine goals this season won't win her the high school version of the Rocket Richard (or, in this case, is it Rockette?) Trophy. But boy, howdy, Hardwick has a knack for scoring in big games against prominent opponents. At last count, seven of her nine goals this season have come against a Class AA or Class A team that had been ranked in the top 10. 
That's C-L-U-T-C-H. 

The Savior
Jaylie French, Warroad 

As physically dominant a player as anyone in the tournament, French assisted on the all-important second goal for the Warriors, then launched a Death Star-level laser past Marshall's Lily Stelter for Warroad's fourth goal. French now has 25 goals and 33 assists this season. Both marks are tops among the Warrior lineup. 

The Star 
Nora Carstensen, Dodge County 

Carstensen scored both goals for the Wildcats in Wednesday's win, and were it not for Kaydence Roeske, an inch here or there, and a referee's review, the senior forward may have had four or five tallies. The Wildcats' leading scorer now has 19 goals and 53 points on the season. 

The Stalwart 
Kaydence Roeske, River Lakes 

They don't call her the Pride of Paynesville for nothing. 
Roeske stopped 33 of 35 shots during the Stars' loss, routinely turning away the talented Dodge County forwards on breakaways, two-on-ones, and second chances. Roeske is one of three Class A State Tournament goaltenders committed to a Division I program, heading to Minnesota State. Her counterpart, Dodge County's Ida Huber, is committed to Long Island University, and Holy Angels netminder Zoe Rimstad will attend Lindenwood next year. 

The Savior
Alexa Van Straaten, Dodge County 

With the graduation of standout senior Abby Simons after last season's run to the Class A state title game, Dodge County needed a power play "quarterback," according to Head Coach Jeremy Gunderson. 

Insert junior defender Alexa Van Straaten. 

In addition to providing size, speed, and puck-moving abilities on the Wildcats' blueline, Van Straaten assisted on both Dodge County goals. After totaling 18 points last year, Van Straaten has five goals and 29 assists this season for a total of 34 points. 

The Star 
Zoe Rimstad, Holy Angels

After some back-of-the-napkin math, it's been concluded that Rimstad has played in 16 games decided by two goals or fewer in her career. No wonder the Lindenwood commit is so comfortable in tight games. Rimstad stopped every shot on Wednesday, earning her fourth shutout of the season with 34 saves.

The Stalwart 
Neelah McLeod, Proctor/Hermantown

Were it not for a bounce and rare five-hole goal, McLeod would have had the Mirage playing into the early-morning hours. McLeod finished with 22 saves in Wednesday's loss.

The Savior 
Marissa Jung, Holy Angels

Dubbed the team's "Most Underrated Player" by senior Harper Poehling during YHH's pre-tournament interview blitz, Jung scored the only two goals in the game, sending the Stars to another Class A State Tournament semifinal in the process. Wednesday night's win was the first multi-goal game of the season for Jung, who now has 10 goals on the year.