Warroad heads back to title game, setting up a coaches' battle with Orono

ST. PAUL — Defending state champion Warroad is headed back to the Class A state championship game after earning a 4-1 victory over South St. Paul on Friday in the Minnesota Class A girls semifinals at the Xcel Energy Center.

Warroad's Kate Johnson, who is bound for Bemidji State, scored two goals in the third period as the Warriors pulled away and will face Orono for the championship on Saturday.

It will pit two good friends against each other. Orono's head coach Larry Olimb actually grew up in Warroad so there will be plenty of good storylines to come this weekend.

"We grew up a block apart, pretty good buddies. He's got his team playing well, I'm happy for them," said Warroad coach David Marvin on what it'll be like to coach against Olimb in the championship game.

South St. Paul made things interesting as they scored early in the third period on a power-play goal from standout defender Lily Pachl to cut the Warroad lead to 2-1.

"You can't let that seep into your game," Marvin said. "It was a close game, they defended really well ... I wouldn't say we were at our best."

1/14: Warroad forward Kate Johnson (16) scores on South St. Paul goaltender Delaney Norman (37) in the third period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

2/14: Warroad forward Kaiya Sandy (9) tries to steal the puck from South St. Paul defender Lily Pachl (7) in the third period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

3/14: Warroad players gather on the ice to celebrate their win against South St. Paul Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

4/14: Warroad forward Rylee Bartz (6) takes a shot that is stopped by South St. Paul goaltender Delaney Norman (37) in the third period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

5/14: Warroad forward Kate Johnson (16) is shut down on her scoring attempt by South St. Paul goaltender Delaney Norman (37) and defenders in the third period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

6/14: South St. Paul forward Eva Beck (13) tries to ward off a steal attempt by Warroad forward Talya Hendrickson (13) in the third period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

7/14: oWarroad forward Kate Johnson (16) skates with the puck against South St. Paul in the third period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

8/14: Warroad defender Lexi Kirkeby (3) skates the puck around the goal for another shot against South St. Paul in the third period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

9/14: South St. Paul goaltender Delaney Norman (37) pushes a shot by Warroad forward Kate Johnson (16) wide in the first period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

10/14: Warroad defender Abby Chamernick (23) tries to work the puck past South St. Paul defender Lily Pachl (7) toward the goal in the first period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

11/14: Warroad defender Katierie Sandy (7) has her shot stopped by South St. Paul goaltender Delaney Norman (37) in the first period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

12/14: Warroad forward Emily Lorenson (8) passes in front of South St. Paul forward Sarah Wincentsen (19) in the first period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

13/14: Warroad defender Lexi Kirkeby (3) makes a pass against South St. Paul in the first period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

14/14: Warroad forward Kaiya Sandy (9) tries to keep the puck from South St. Paul defender Kylie Evazich (25) and South St. Paul forward Eva Beck (13) in the first period Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Talya Hendrickson (Bemidji State) got the scoring started early in the first period as she sniped a puck past Packer netminder Delaney Norman to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.

Senior Lexi Kirkeby (Assumption) doubled the lead on the power play in the second period as she picked up a rebound in front of the net and shot to score.

"They're an outstanding team, the whole state of Minnesota knows, A or AA, they're one of the best teams and they showed it today, they were a really good quality team," said South St. Paul head coach Dave Palmquist.

"It's all you could ask for, the girls always play hard and this girl right here [Lily Pachl], you can just see the heart that she has and she just wants to win so bad, just tremendous effort and just great Packer hockey. Just so proud of her and the team," he said.

The Warriors face Orono for the championship at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

South St. Paul will play for third-place in Class A against Proctor/Hermantown on Saturday morning.

The Tourney 2023

Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament coverage including game recaps, photos, brackets, schedules and more from The Rink Live

February 12, 2023 08:55 PM

First period scoring — 1. WAR, Talya Hendrickson (Kate Johnson, Rylee Bartz) 2:38
Penalties — SSP, Eva Beck (tripping) 14:05

Second period scoring — 2. WAR, Lexi Kirkeby (Hendrickson, Abby Chamernick) 9:52 (pp)
Penalties — SSP, Sarah Wincentsen (hooking) 8:01

Third period scoring — 1. SSP, Lily Pachl (Bailey Vesper) 2:30 (pp); 3. WAR, Johnson (Rylee Bartz, Hendrickson) 8:34; 4. WAR, Johnson (Hendrickson, Chamernick) 12:58
Penalties — WAR, Madilyn Skogman (roughing) 2:09; SSP, Alida Ahern (hooking) 13:15

Goalie saves — SSP, Delaney Norman 7-11-12—30 (4GA); WAR, Kate Stephens 5-3-2—10 (1GA)

SOG — WAR, 8-12-14—34; SSP, 5-3-3—11

Penalties-minutes — WAR, 1-2; SSP, 3-6
Power-play goals-opportunities — WAR, 1-3; SSP, 1-1

Jason Wachter / The Rink Live