One-hit wonder? Based on early season results, Brainerd/Little Falls’ surprising run to last season’s Class 2A state championship game in the program’s first tournament appearance was hardly a fluke.
After losing to Eden Prairie 4-3 in overtime on Nov. 14, the Flying Warriors (2-1-0, 0-0-0) completed their metro road swing with one of the most eye-opening results of the young season, a 5-1 rout of perennial powerhouse Blake. Gabbie Smith, a senior committed to Bemidji State, scored twice against both Eden Prairie and Blake, and has a team-best five goals for the season.
Forest Lake (1-0-0, 0-0-0) features at least one standout at every position — senior forward Brieja Parent, a Minnesota-Duluth commit, junior defender Rachel Golnitz, who will continue her hockey career at Colgate, and senior Allyn Goehner in goal.