QUOTE ME, HOWIE: Hermantown boys hockey coach Patrick Andrews on his team capturing the Lake Superior Conference championship with a convincing 4-1 victory at Grand Rapids in the final game of the regular season: “Winning the LSC title at Rapids was a phenomenal way to finish the regular season. We all like to win, especially when it’s for the conference title. But more importantly, I was so impressed with how the boys played in a very difficult environment. We fell behind early, but we rallied behind a great performance in the net from Dane Callaway, who held the boys in it until we got our feet under us. We took the game over in the second period, sparked by a great effort from AJ Francisco who drove deep into the zone and then found Henry Peterson in the high slot, who sniped it. Andrew Johnson got the game-winning goal a few minutes later on a great hard play by all five guys on the ice, getting the puck from low to high and then attacking the net. We extended the lead in the third period on the power-play when Josh Kauppinen found Charlie Marchand from below the goal line. Ford Skytta got us the insurance goal off another great hard work forecheck play by all five guys on the ice. I thought the Grand Rapids game to end the season was one of our most complete efforts of the season. We got great goaltending as always and the boys responded well to some adversity, after giving up the first goal and having 3,000 people screaming and yelling at us. The boys leaned into each other, kept their game simple, and blocked out the ‘noise’. We played great hockey as a team the last two periods. Grand Rapids is as good as it gets for a high school hockey atmosphere (they sell season tickets!). It is such a tough place to win and to finish the regular season each year with that game is such a good way to prepare us for the feel of playoff hockey.”
Section 7A Boys Hockey Quarterfinals
Hermantown 14, International Falls 0. Game Notes: Junior forward River Freeman scored two goals and added four assists for the top-seeded Hawks. Senior goaltender Dane Callaway had nine saves for Hermantown (16-8-2), which will face heavy underdog Proctor in the semifinal matchup Saturday night at Amsoil Arena.
Proctor 5, North Shore 1. Game Notes: Wyatt Mineheine scored three goals for the Rails (19-7-0), who face an immensely more challenging opponent in Hermantown in a Saturday semifinal. The Hawks won their only meeting in the regular season, 2-1 on Jan. 7 in Proctor.
Hibbing-Chisholm 4, Greenway 1. Game Notes: Isaiah Hildenbrand scored twice and Tate Swanson contributed three assists as the Bluejackets out-shot the Raiders 49-7 at Hibbing Memorial Arena. Hibbing-Chisholm (18-8-0) meets Cloquet-Esko-Carlton in a 7A semifinal nightcap Saturday at Amsoil Arena.
Cloquet-Esko-Carlton 12, Ely 0. Game Notes: Junior forward Bobby Thornton had three goals and a pair of assists for the host Lumberjacks. C-E-C (13-13-0) edged Hibbing-Chisholm 4-3 on Nov. 28 in the season opener for both teams in Cloquet.
Section 7AA Boys Hockey Quarterfinals
Duluth East 5, Duluth Denfeld 1. Game Notes: Senior forward Thomas Gunderson had a hat trick and five points for the Greyhounds (10-15-1), who earned a rematch against Andover in a 7AA semifinal Saturday afternoon at Amsoil Arena. Duluth East fell to the host Huskies 4-2 on Dec. 19.
Andover 6, Duluth Marshall 1. Game Notes: K.J. Sauer had a pair of goals and an assist for the defending 7AA champion Huskies at home. Andover (17-8-1) has won three of its last four.
Grand Rapids 9, Cambridge-Isanti 0. Game Notes: Seth Carlson had a two-goal, two-assist game for the host Thunderhawks (15-11-0), who advance to face Rock Ridge in a 7AA semifinal Saturday afternoon at Amsoil Arena.
Rock Ridge 4, Forest Lake 3 4OTs. Game Notes: Grady Dimberio scored the game-winner for the host Wolverines (20-5-1), who will face Grand Rapids for the first time this season Saturday in a 7AA semifinal at Amsoil.
Boys Basketball
Esko 82, Crosby-Ironton 70. Games Notes: Burly center Braedyn Male had 21 points, and teammates Dalton Spindler, Koi Perich and Sam Haugen combined for 51 points as Class 2A, No. 9-ranked Esko (17-6) raced past the visiting 2A, No. 6 Rangers (19-3).
Cloquet 73, Duluth East 61. Game Notes: Junior phenom Jack Battaglia scored 21 points as the Jacks coasted to an easy victory at Cloquet Middle School Gym, thanks to double-digit scoring efforts from four starters. Ty Nyberg had a game-high 25 points for the Greyhounds.
Cherry 110, Northland 50
Proctor 102, Aitkin 90
Hinckley-Finlayson at Barnum
Carlton-Wrenshall 85, Ogilvie 76
Rock Ridge 86, Hibbing 69
Grand Rapids 74, Duluth Marshall 62
Girls Basketball
Esko 67, Grand Rapids 53
Duluth East 61, Hermantown 46
Ely 87, Cherry 44
On Campus
The College of St. Scholastica will host its annual Give to CSS Day on Thursday, Feb. 29. This event is the college’s single largest giving day of the year and allows supporters to donate to funds that directly impact current and future St. Scholastica students.
“Give to CSS Day showcases the incredible generosity of the entire Saints community,” said Rebecca Noble, St. Scholastica's annual giving and communications manager. “Every gift, no matter the size, makes a real difference and helps ensure that CSS students have access to the best possible education.”
Donors will have the chance to support specific funds that align with their passions and interests, including academic programs, athletics and student services. Those who make a gift of $100 or more will receive a pair of St. Scholastica ankle socks, with a second pair given to an incoming student in the fall of 2024.
Additionally, generous leadership donors have stepped up with a challenge for early Give to CSS Day gifts. "We are getting close to achieving our early giving challenge," said Noble. As of Feb. 20, the College has received 63 early online gifts. When 100 donors make an early contribution in honor of Give to CSS Day, $30,000 in early challenge gifts will be unlocked. "We have over 26 matches and challenge gifts thanks to the commitment of many generous leadership donors."
“We are grateful for our donors and the difference they make in the experience of St. Scholastica students,” said Noble. “Their support helps us provide an exceptional education and prepare our graduates to be leaders in their communities.”
