The Star
Sophie Stramel, Rosemount 

Stramel has led the Irish in scoring the last three seasons, guiding the squad to three consecutive Class AA State Tournament appearances. On Thursday, the Minnesota State commit scored the game's first goal, assisted on the second, and blocked several shots in the game's final minutes. Stramel's special brand of competitiveness has defined the Irish on their way to the school's first semifinal appearance. 

The Stalwart 
Gianna Marchese, Rosemount 

This win wouldn't have happened without Marchese. The standout sophomore stopped 33 of 35 shots in the win, and stood tall in the final moments when the Cougars sent a flurry of shots toward the Irish net. The game was Marchese's seventh of the season with 30 or more saves. 

The Savior 
Grace Laager, Centennial/Spring Lake Park 

Just one piece of CSLP's loaded sophomore class, Laager scored the first goal of the game for the Cougars to make the score 2-1 in the third period. Minutes later, she scored again with 38 seconds left in regulation to pull the Cougars within one. With one more guaranteed game, Laager's current season totals are 22 goals and 58 points. 

The Star 
Emily Pohl, Hill-Murray

Pohl's hat trick was punctuated by a stunning empty-net goal, where she stole the puck from an Andover defender, scooted around two diving Huskies, and deposited the biscuit to cement the win for the Pioneers. Pohl now has 39 goals and 70 points for the Pioneers. 
And, yes, she is the daughter of former Mr. Hockey John Pohl and women's hockey legend Krissy Wendell-Pohl. 

The Stalwart 
Piper Tam, Hill-Murray

Tam just turned 14, but is described as having the personality of a "15-year vet" by Head Coach John Pohl. After rotating with junior Charlotte Oscarson during the regular season, Tam has emerged as the starter during the playoffs. She has rewarded her coach's - and teammates' - trust with a 29-save performance in the Section 4AA final against Woodbury and a 23-save outing in today's win over Andover. 

The Savior 
Maya Engler, Andover

Just when it felt like Hill-Murray had the game in the bag, there was No. 11 in black, crashing through the Pioneer zone, making mayhem and causing chaos. Engler concluded the game with a goal and an assist, and her effort in the game's final stages should be applauded. She will attend St. Thomas next season. 

The Star
Cate McCoy, Edina

McCoy scored Edina's first and last goals, putting the Hornets up 1-0 in the second and sealing the deal with a 200-foot empty-netter with 40 seconds left in regulation. She also assisted on the Hornets' second goal.

In addition to her scoring, McCoy made a big-brain play early in the game. During a Hornet penalty kill, McCoy gathered the puck at the top of the Farmington zone. While the Tigers backed away to defend, McCoy peeled back into the neutral zone and killed the rest of the penalty. 

The Stalwart
Addison Moudry, Farmington 

What more could you ask for from your goaltender? 
Moudry stopped 36 of 38 shots and gave the Tigers all she had in the process. During three postseason games, Moudry stopped 86 of 91 shots and currently has eight games with 25 or more saves. 

The Savior
Taylor Risch, Farmington 

How could a player from the losing team be considered the "savior" of the game? Because Risch's fabulous power-play goal in the third period put the Tigers on the board and injected some desperately needed life into the Xcel Energy Center. The State Tournament is about moments, and Risch provided a highlight-reel worth goal for the Tigers' mental scrapbook. 

The Star 
Josie Linn, Holy Family 

The New Hampshire commit is the total package - physical, fast, and flashy. Her goal at 13:25 of the second period gave the Fire an insurance tally, and made her the program's all-time leader in points. As of Thursday night, Linn has 22 goals and 50 points this season. Minnesota girls' high school hockey's best-kept secret is officially out. 

The Stalwart 
Taylor Kressin, Moorhead

Stopping pucks is what Kressin does best, and Thursday night provided plenty of chances to hone her craft. The Fire outshot the Spuds 9-0 in the first period and never looked back, pumping 35 shots on the Moorhead net. Thursday's game was, astonished, Kressin's 13th game of the season with 30 or more saves. 

The Savior
Kayla Swartout, Holy Family

Her 16 saves on Thursday night are far from a career-high or even a season-high. However, Swartout provides a steadying force to the Fire, offering comfort and confidence to defenders and forwards alike. The Wisconsin commit will be heavily relied upon in Friday's semifinal with top-seeded Edina.