High school hockey teams from all parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin gathered between the Christmas and New Year holiday to play in the 2021 Herb Brooks Holiday Classic. After last year’s hiatus due to Covid-19, the tournament gave rise to high spirits and higher competition. While the Super Rink served as the tournament’s home base, varsity championships took place at TRIA Rink, the Minnesota Wild’s practice facility.
Luverne’s girls varsity team took the Silver division championship title all the way back to southwest Minnesota after defeating Marshall 5-1 on Saturday afternoon. “We knew it was going to be a battle,” Luverne senior Reghan Bork shared after their Tuesday night victory. “And we went out there and gave it our all and came out on top.”
The Proctor Hermantown Mirage nabbed the girls varsity Gold championship later that afternoon, winning 1-0 against Rogers. Head coach Emma Stauber took stock of the Mirage’s rising reputation on Tuesday night: “One of the things that we’ve wanted is respect and for people to fear playing us, and having that mentality that they’re going to have to work hard if they’re going to beat us. And the girls have done a really good job responding to that.”
The boys varsity Silver championship title departed the state of hockey and went home with Eau Claire North. Following their 4-1 victory over Pine City, defender Sam Feck commented, “Wisconsin has kind of always been in the shadow of Minnesota as the home hockey state. It really feels good to come up here and beat a bunch of Minnesota boys and get the trophy.”
Academy of Holy Angels clocked first place in the boys varsity Gold division in nail-biting overtime against Minneapolis. With a final score of 4-3, the game wrapped up the Herb Brooks Holiday Classic with a bang. “[Minneapolis is] a really good skating team, so we had to come out fast,” senior Ricky Nelson remarked after the game. “It’s always a good time beating Minneapolis because they are one of our crosstown rivals… It’s always fun, there’s always fans at these games. It’s a great atmosphere here tonight.”
JV and Junior Gold division champions:
Girls JV Silver Champions: Waconia
Girls JV Gold Champions: Proctor Hermantown
Boys JV Silver Champions: Osseo
Boys JV Gold Champions: Minneapolis
Junior Gold 16U Champions: Blaine IceDogs
Junior Gold B Champions: Minnetonka White
Junior Gold A Champions: Lakeville Prowlers
The NSC media team had the opportunity to interview players and coaches after select games. Interviews can be viewed on the Super Rink’s Facebook page.
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