The championship did not come easy against a team that one season ago collected the section hardware. The Packers battled back from a 4-2 deficit in the second period to tie the game at 4-4, setting up a third period that was deadlocked until Sajevic scored the final goal in a scrum of players in front of the South St. Paul net.

As one of 11 sophomores on the varsity roster, Sajevic is helping prove how the Stars could be a force for years to come.

“We’re excited about the future of the program with the young kids,” said Paige Jahnke, who is a Gentry Academy co-head coach along with Emily Erickson. “But we think the young kids play years above where they’re at. So, overall, the whole team is just phenomenal.”

Gentry Academy did not enter the Minnesota State High School League like most programs. The Stars previously played a challenging AAA traveling schedule before the administration decided to make the switch to high school play.

From there, they did not miss a beat, going 17-2-0 and winning a Class 1A, Section 4 title with Friday’s win. 

Their work is not done, though. As the No. 2 team in Class 1A in the latest coaches' poll, they could be a contender once the tournament begins in St. Paul begins next week.

“We’re a hard-working group,” Jahnke said. “They’re super goal-driven. It was pretty good to see them win, I think they worked hard for that.”

South St. Paul (12-7-1) came into Friday’s section championship with experience few other teams had playing the talented Gentry Academy roster. The Packers won a 3-2 game against the Stars in overtime on Jan. 23, despite being outshot 45-14.

The Packers nearly won another Friday, pushing the 4-4 tie deep into the third period.

“Our girls, I’m so proud of them,” head coach Dave Palmquist said. “We just kept battling to the end. To come up one short is heartbreaking, but it was a heck of a hockey game.”

Many of the players on this year’s roster had the opportunity to compete in the Class 1A state tournament last fall. Three players on the roster — Makenna Deering, Justice Rambaum and Ella Reynolds — have now finished up their high school careers. Reynolds nearly missed the entire season before coming back for the team’s final few games.

“I’m so proud to be a Packer,” Palmquist said. “I’m so proud of these girls, I love them so much. It’s tough to see our seniors go, we love our seniors so much.”