UPDATE: Powerplay Goals Give RiverHawks First Trip to State

Powerplay goals from Dani Sibley and Haily Gudmonson and a well-placed slapshot from Emily Achterkirch propelled the North Wright County RiverHawks over the Roseau Rams.

The RiverHawks' 3-2 win solidified its place in the State AA Girls’ Hockey Tournament, winning the Section 8AA title on neutral ice in Detroit Lakes Friday night.

Down 1-0 after the first period, RiverHawks head coach Tim Hansen used the intermission to remind his team of its ultimate goal.

"Roseau has a lot of playoff experience. You could tell by the way they controlled our zone," Hansen said in a prepared post-game statement. "Thank goodness for the outstanding play of [goaltender] Amanda Koep we weathered the storm.  I was pleased being down by just one after the first 17 minutes because I felt we would come out stronger later in the game." 

The squad, which was upended last season in the same tournament by the same team, did indeed come out fighting in the third period after a second inspirational speech between periods.

"I told the girls that this is it!  [I told them] From when you started skating, the miles and hours you have put on the ice and the hard work and effort you have given over the years boils down to these next 17 minutes," Hanson said. "The girls played their hearts out and earned a berth to the State Tournament.  Our depth and strong roster all contributed and paid off for us in the end." 

The Hawks will be underdogs when they skate into the Xcel Energy Center later this week at the Class AA tourney. They are the no. 5 seed playing against Section 5AA champions Coon Rapids on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m.