High Schools

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

For the Minnesota 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
Erick Comstock (20) hustled to join teammates after he won the game for Warroad with a goal in the second overtime period. (Anthony Souffle, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Three stars

  1. 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.
    1. 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.
      1. 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

        about the writers

        Heather Rule

        David La Vaque

        Star Tribune