Warroad at Minnetonka
1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14

Since finishing as the Class 1A state runner-up in 2013, Warroad hasn’t found its way back to the state tournament.

A 2-1 double-overtime loss to East Grand Forks in the Section 8 semifinals ended the Warriors' season two years ago, while a 3-1 loss to Thief River Falls in the section championship last year extended the drought.

Mariah Gardner returns for her junior season after lead Warroad with 18 goals and 35 assists and earning all-state honors last year. Sophomore Madison Oelkers (16G, 22A) and senior Demi Gardner (17G, 7A) should also help guide the No. 5-1A Warriors.

Defender Francesca Huerd (14G, 13A) and goalie Dani Knott (15-8-3, four shutouts, 2.07GAA, .911 save percentage) graduated from a Warroad team that finished with a 16-8-3 overall record.

Presley Norby returns for No. 2-2A Minnetonka after participating in the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women’s World Championship in January. She had a goal and an assist to help Team USA win the gold medal.

Norby, a Wisconsin commit and all-state selection, also put together an excellent junior year for the Skippers. She recorded 25 goals and 19 assists, leading the team back to the Class 2A state tournament after a one-year absence.

Linemates Kippin Keller (14G, 20A), a Minnesota recruit, and Annelise Rice (22G, 11A) are also back for Minnetonka, which won last year’s meeting with the Warriors 7-0 and went on to finish second at state after a 2-1 loss to Hill-Murray in the championship.

The Skippers, who defeated the Pioneers 3-1 in the 2013 championship game two secure their second consecutive state title, finished with a 23-7 overall record.

Minnetonka graduated standout defender and Penn State commit Kelsey Crow (6G, 24A) but returns another Penn State commit in defender Katie McMillan (4G, 18A), who is joined on the blue line by junior Camille Von Steinbergs (3G, 7A).  

Goalie Tatyana Delaittre put up eye-popping numbers last season, going 23-7 with a 1.33 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage.