Boys hockey semifinals recap: Three stars, numbers to know and the attendance
Check out what we saw as the tournaments played down to four teams and two title games.
By Heather Rule,
,
David La Vaque and
Star Tribune
March 11, 2023 at 5:49AM
![Warroad defenseman Erick Comstock (2) celebrates after scoring the game winning goal past Orono goaltender Brock Peyton (1) in the second period of overtime of a MSHSL Class 1A state semifinal hockey game between Warroad and Orono Friday, March 10, 2023 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. ] ANTHONY SOUFFLE • anthony.souffle@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/AIKHI2VTOZEVGYJ26ZQWOEDZW4.jpg?&w=712)
- Charlie Drage, Mahtomedi senior forward: The Zephyrs' leading scorer got the winner in the final minute of their semifinal. He has nine goals during a five-game goal streak.
- Robbie Clarkowski, Edina senior goalie: One day after giving up six goals to Moorhead, Clarkowski regrouped and found the form that made him one of three Frank Brimsek Award finalists. He stopped all but one of Cretin-Derham Hall's 24 shots in a 4-1 victory.
- Erick Comstock, Warroad senior defenseman: Scored the double-overtime winner to send Warroad to the state title game. It was his eighth goal of the season, first since Feb. 3 against Thief River Falls.
By the numbers
12,494
Attendance Friday afternoon, a record for the Class 1A semifinals. The previous high was 11,744 in 2020.
1
Overturned goal for Mahtomedi, when the puck skittered the length of the goal line but not across in the first period. Hermantown took a 1-0 lead 20 seconds later.
32
Goals this season for Mahtomedi senior Charlie Drage, two seasons removed from a zero-goal, eight-assist sophomore campaign despite "tons of chances" that season, his coach Jeff Poeschl said.
2
Mahtomedi victories over Hermantown in 11 meetings since the start of the 2015-16 season, with both wins coming in the state tournament.
5
Minutes in the box for Gaabi Boucha after a major penalty for boarding in the third period. Orono made it 3-2 on the power play.
4
Times this season Warroad has allowed three or more goals, including to Orono on Friday.
3
Orono losses to Class 1A opponents this season, two against Warroad.
2
One-goal losses for Orono this season, 2-1 Feb. 1 against Hermantown and 4-3 in overtime to Warroad on Friday.
16
Seconds into double overtime for Warroad to end it, with a goal from Erick Comstock.
2
Years in a row Warroad advanced to the Class 1A championship game with an overtime victory in the semifinals.
Attendance
Class 1A
Wednesday early: 4,539
Wednesday night: 5,380
Friday: 12,494
Class 2A
Thursday early: 18,989
Thursday night: 19,241
Friday: 20,982
about the writers
Heather Rule
David La Vaque
Star Tribune
Six players plus head coach Garrett Raboin and assistant coach Ben Gordon are from Minnesota. The tournament’s games will be televised starting Monday.
