Rosemount’s girls hockey team beats Apple Valley 6-1 to secure spot at state

Last season’s motto for the Rosemount girls hockey team was so killer, so memorable, neither Kyle Finn nor co-head coach Jennifer Williams could recall it after Wednesday night’s Class 2A, Section 3 final.

Assistant coach Christopher Hvinden was no help. Rosemount staff summoned the Irish players, but the buzz of a 6-1 victory against Apple Valley, and a resulting state tournament appearance, stunted players’ recall.

This year’s motto, “Whatever it takes,” replaced the forgotten slogan, but the result was the same: Rosemount is back in St. Paul next week.

No. 4 seed Rosemount (14-9-5) defended its section championship against No. 3 Apple Valley (19-10-2) after taking a 4-0 loss in the teams’ first South Suburban Conference meeting this season before drawing even 4-4 in the regular-season rematch.

The Rosemount faithful packing one-half of the Inver Grove Heights Veterans Memorial Community Center on Wednesday waved the program’s “Hockey Hanky” featuring the “Whatever it takes” motto as Annalee Holzer scored twice in the opening period.

Teammate Taylor Krieg’s hat trick made it 5-0 in the third period. All the while, goaltender Natalie Kendhammer stymied Apple Valley.

“Their goalie played really well,” Eagles junior Makayla Moran said.

Kendhammer played the previous games against Apple Valley this season. Added focus helped her win the third and final meeting.

“In my mind, it’s a zero-zero game until it’s over,” said Kendhammer, who won the Section 3 title one year ago. She also backstopped her team to an overtime upset of top seed Lakeville North in a semifinal Saturday.

Kendhammer went home and watched film of that upset, went to bed and woke up knowing the job wasn’t complete. Finn reiterated that sentiment in practice.

“‘Whatever it takes’ was the mindset of doing what is needed to get back to the state tournament,” Finn said. “We have players who bought into different roles and different amounts of ice time, forechecking and shot blocking. ‘Whatever it takes’ became our rallying cry, especially in these playoffs.”

Sophomore Maggie Erickson solved the riddle of the missing motto: “Together we will.” Erickson received an assist from teammate Sophie Stramel before dutifully reporting the news to the coaches.

Whatever it takes, indeed.

Compiled by Joe Gunther, Star Tribune

Class 2A, Section 8 final: Roseau rallied to knock off top-seeded Moorhead 5-4 at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The second-seeded Rams (18-10-0) scored four goals in the third period, including three goals in a 2:35 span late to take a 5-3 lead. Jasmine Hovda started the comeback 3:43 into the third period to get the Rams within a goal. She tied the score 3-3 10 minutes, 13 seconds later and assisted on Karina Christiansen’s goal that put the Rams ahead for good. Jada Pelowski made 27 saves, including 11 in the third period, for the Rams. The Spuds finished 24-3-1.

Class 1A, Section 5 final: Top-seeded Orono pulled away from second-seeded Mound Westonka/Southwest Christian with a pair of goals in each of the first two periods and won 5-1 at St. Louis Park Rec Center. Grace Bickett got the Spartans (20-6-1) on the board 1:34 into the game. Gabi Lopez, Zoe Lopez, Alex Christian and Maddy Kimbrel also scored for the Spartans. Claire Bolen spoiled the shutout with a goal 2:31 into the third period for the White Hawks (18-8-1).

Class 1A, Section 7 final: Second-seeded Proctor/Hermantown broke the game open with four goals in the third period to knock off top-seeded Duluth Marshall 4-0 at St. Luke’s Sports and Events Center. Taylee Manion got the scoring started 1:54 into the final period for the Mirage (18-8-2). Katie Sandelin, Izy Fairchild and Morgan LaValley had a goal each and Neelah McLeod had a 23-save shutout for the Mirage. Ray Anderson made 55 saves for the Hilltoppers (22-4-1).