Sean Williams/MDN Taylyn Cope (17) of Minot High races to the puck in a game against Legacy/Bismarck at the Maysa Arena earlier this season.

All the hard work, long practices, and time spent improving their craft throughout the season was completed with the goal of making it to today in mind. The girls’ hockey State Tournament will begin this afternoon, where the eight teams that qualified will now play at the Maysa Arena for the ultimate prize in their sport.

Among the eight teams, Fargo Davies enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed. The Eagles finished the regular season with 59 points and a 20-3-0 overall record. Throughout the year, head coach Josh Issertell has seen the team grow.

“Our individual and team game has grown over the season, and we expect to play competitive games all weekend and our team is excited for the opportunity at hand,” Issertell said.

The expectation for the Eagles is that the seniors and the captains will lead the team during the State Tournament, however, Issertell stressed the importance of having everyone on the roster contribute to their specific roles and contribute to their team game.

Two seniors who led the way for the Eagles during the season were Sandra Sampson and Lindsey Astrup. Sampson totaled 31 points on 14 goals and 17 assists, and Astrup reached 22 points on 13 goals and nine assists. In addition to those two, junior Allie Emineth had 31 points on nine goals and 22 assists.

Aside from the offensive production from those players, Issertell expects goaltending and defense to be a continued strength of the Eagles. “We’ve relied on our goaltending and defense all year and will continue to have to play as a group of five up and down the ice.”

Starting goaltender Noelle Lewis has been a force in net for the Eagles, and one of the best goaltenders in the state. In over 22 games played, Lewis owns a 1.20 goals against average (GAA), 93.9 save percentage, and was the only 20-game winner in the state.

With an opportunity to bring a state title back to Fargo Davies, Issertell mentioned the importance of fine tuning the small details of their game, making sure they are all on the same page, and that the Eagles come hungry to work.

The key to becoming champions involves the Eagles playing with a purpose, competing, being resilient, and playing as a team.

Checking in as the No. 2-seeded team and the defending state champs are the Fargo North/South Spruins, who ended the regular season with a 17-4-2 record and 54 points.

During the regular season, the Spruins only allowed three or more goals in five games and head coach Parker Metz expects goaltending and special teams to be a strength during the tournament.

“I expect our special teams and our goaltender to be the biggest difference maker throughout the tournament. When they exhibit confidence and the ability to play big, it translates to our five-on-five play,” Metz said.

Savannah Wuitschick started in net in over 22 games this year, where she posted GAA of 1.93 and a 90.9 save percentage.

“I expect the girls to be the hardest team to play against in the tournament. I expect them to be obsessed with puck possession, establishing and pushing the pace and finishing plays in all of the hard areas of the ice,” Metz said when discussing more strengths of the team.

Offensively, they are led by Anna Nelson, who totaled 38 points on 18 goals and 20 assists, for the third most points in the state. In addition to Nelson, Olivia Kalbus totaled 25 points on 14 goals and 11 assists, and Julia Puhl scored 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points on the season.

Heading into the tournament, Metz has a lot of confidence in his team, and they will work on puck movement and maintaining a high battle level to put themselves in the best position to succeed.

To be the last team standing at the Maysa Arena this weekend, Metz believes the team needs to put together a full game and prepare themselves like a championship team would.

“In order for this group to prove themselves and be a championship team they need to operate like a championship team. The expectation for the entire group is to show up for each shift to support each other, respect everyone, show their resilience and ‘Just Send It,'” he said.

Mandan enters the State Tournament as the No. 3-seeded team, after putting together a regular season record of 15-6-2 and 45 points at the conclusion of play. Heading into the tournament, head coach Ben Hertz likes the way the team is playing and is excited to see what they can do.

“We have an older bench for the first time going into state, which will help with preparation and emotions. The team has earned our third-place finish in the regular season, and we are proud of that. Now we take it one game at a time starting Thursday night,” Hertz said.

In addition to an older bench, Hertz likes the depth of the team and believes their team game will be a strength. Offensively, Mandan has no shortage of scoring with eight players that put together double-digit points in the regular season.

Mikayla Fleck led the way with 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists), followed by Madison Hertz with 22 points (six goals, 16 assists), Kenlee Edland with 20 points (12 goals, eight assists), and 18 points each from Afton Leingang (eight goals, 10 assists) and McKenzie Yantzer (nine goals, nine assists) to total the top scorers.

“I look for our D core to be solid and put up some points. We have scoring coming throughout the team which is a coach’s dream. Our Captains need to set the pace and the team’s drive for victory,” Hertz said.

Adding to the ability to score in bunches, Mandan got solid goaltending from Keiley Bures, who appeared in over 19 games with a 91.2 save percentage and GAA of 2.03.

Heading into the tournament, Hertz will have the team focus on high tempo drills, creating good habits, and their special teams play.

For Mandan to hoist the trophy at the end of the tournament, Hertz believes there will have to be an effort from top to bottom and a desire to compete on every play.

“Everyone needs to pull the rope, a team effort and game. Competing for every inch of ice and every puck, winning the battles. Staying disciplined and ready to start every game when the puck drops,” Hertz said on what it will take for Mandan to win it all.

Meeting Minot in the opening round of the tournament is the No. 4-seeded team in West Fargo United. They enter the tournament with an overall record of 13-9-1 and 45 points on the season.

“We are coming together as a team. The girls are excited to be heading to state. I am proud of what they have accomplished this year,” head coach Patrick Johnson said.

When looking at the team’s strengths heading into the tournament, Johnson shared that West Fargo United’s ability to take on a “we mentality” and play as a team are what helps them find success on the ice.

In addition to playing well as a team, West Fargo United has three of the top five point scorers in the state, which is a key ingredient in their recipe for success. Courtney Docktor is leading the way with 39 points on 19 goals and 20 assists, followed by Zoey Gervais with 37 points (14 goals, 23 assists) and Alyssa Smith with 36 points (19 goals, 17 assists).

They pair that with strong goaltending from junior Maggie Seeley, who appeared in 21 games, where she posted a 1.81 GAA and 92.6 save percentage.

In their preparation for the tournament, Johnson has a simple focus for his team. “We are focusing on correcting the small mistakes that could cause us break downs.”

Johnson believes that for West Fargo United to become state champions, they must play as one cohesive unit and need to have everyone join together to be difference makers on the ice.

In addition to being the host team, Minot High enters the State Tournament as the No. 5-seeded team. The Majettes wrapped up the regular season with a 12-8-3 record and 42 points.

Heading into the tournament, head coach MaKayla Neuhalfen feels like the team is ready to handle what the postseason will bring, and they are excited to see how they size up against the top teams in the state.

“We’re very fortunate to have depth throughout the lineup and know that we can call upon a lot of girls when the time comes,” Neuhalfen said regarding what strengths Minot will bring to the ice.

Offensively, the Majettes have three 20-point scorers in Taylyn Cope (14 goals, 11 assists, 25 points), Payton Lang (11 goals, 11 assists, 22 points), and Brynn Hanson (11 goals, 10 assists, 21 points) and not far behind is Eve Slind, who totaled 13 points on six goals and seven assists.

While those skaters are expected to produce for Minot, Neuhalfen shared that she believes goaltender Jillian Ackerman will be the biggest difference maker for the team.

Ackerman put together an excellent season, where she played in over 23 games and posted a 1.54 GAA and 94.1 save percentage. During the season, she became the all-time shutout leader in Minot High history.

With the goal of hoisting the trophy at the end of the tournament, Neuhalfen wants the Majettes to focus on improving the systems that are in place, as well as fine tuning their defensive strategies. Execution and mental toughness, she believes, are key components to becoming champions.

“Executing on the little things in all three zones and winning the 50/50 puck battles. Every team around the state is very good and doing the little things right is essential. Being mentally tough is also extremely important. The season is long and now it comes down to three games. We can’t let the moment get too big,” she said.

Securing the sixth overall seed in the tournament was Legacy/Bismarck High, as the team finished with an overall record of 13-9-0 and 35 points on the season. Even though they are the sixth seed, head coach Nick Johnson likes where his team is at.

“I believe that right now we are starting to play our best hockey and are peaking at the right time. Our young players have adjusted to the speed of the game and are really looking great,” Johnson said.

One of those young players is freshman Ainsley Johnson, who is second on the team with six goals and 14 assists for 20 points. Leading the team, however, is junior Ava Krikorian with 21 points on 12 goals and nine assists. Aside from those two, the depth of Legacy/Bismarck, Johnson shared, is expected to be a strength of the team.

“I expect our depth to be a huge asset to our team. We have the ability to play four lines in many different situations,” Johnson said.

Johnson added, “I think that if we can get our feet moving and utilize our speed without hesitation that will be a huge difference maker for us. We have multiple players that we will look to really push the pace.”

In net, Legacy/Bismarck rolled out the tandem of Moira Landsverk and Ellen Orr throughout the year. Landsverk appeared in 13 games, posting a 2.23 GAA and 92.2 save percentage, and Orr appeared in 10 games where she posted a 2.30 GAA and 89.2 save percentage.

Heading into the tournament, the focus for Legacy/Bismarck will be sharpening their current systems and making sure everyone has bought into them, as well as focusing on their special teams play.

For Legacy/Bismarck to win a state title, Johnson knows the importance of getting consistent play from everyone on the ice and putting forth a strong effort at all times.

“The biggest thing for our group is consistent play from all of our players, from our goaltenders all the way to the forwards. Play every shift as hard and as fast as we can.”

Entering play as the No. 7-seeded team are the Grand Forks Central/Grand Forks Red River KnightRiders, who finished with regular season with 33 points and an overall record of 10-10-3. Head coach Alex Hedlund is confident in the team and sees this as a great opportunity.

“We are excited to see what we are capable of when our season is on the line. We have played a ton of close games this year, and that can be used to our advantage, but we need to put 51 minutes together consecutively.” Hedlund said.

In addition to being guided by the leadership of six seniors on the team, the KnightRiders have six athletes who have scored 10 points or more this season. Leading the way is Averi Greenwood with 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists), Emma Gray with 17 points (three goals, 14 assists), and Annika Presteng with 14 points (seven goals, seven assists).

“We are hardworking, and gritty. We have had a solid penalty kill this year. Our seniors are another strength. We have six of them who have never been in a state title game. I would be surprised if we do not see their best hockey this weekend,” Hedlund said when talking about the strengths of the KnightRiders.

Hedlund added, “We have a ton of young players in our lineup, but I expect our seniors to carry us.”

Senior Kaylee Baker has been the primary netminder for Grand Forks this year, where she has played in over 21 games. During the season, Baker posted a 2.08 GAA, 91.1 save percentage, and was in net for nine of the wins.

As Grand Forks gets ready to head to Minot for the State Tournament, Hedlund shared that preparation is key for the team to make a run and win it all, and they need everyone on the roster to be ready.

“If we show up and compete to our full potential, we have a chance. The entire group has to be dialed in, and ready to compete in challenging circumstances. Any team could win this tournament, and I am excited to be a part of it, and see it play out,” Hedlund said.

Rounding out the teams that qualified for the State Tournament are the Century Patriots, who enter as the No. 8-seeded team. Following the regular season, the Patriots finished with an overall record of 8-11-4 and 31 points.

Junior Brenna Curl has led the way for the Patriots offensively, finishing the year with 26 points on 13 goals and 13 assists. In addition to Curl, Avery Matt put up 19 points (13 goals, six assists), and Reagan Haley (10 assists) and Josie Anfinson (five goals, five assists) had 10 points each as the top point scorers on the team.

Ellie Horner and Kambree Grabar split time in net, with Grabar seeing more work by the end of the season. In over seven games played, Horner had a 90.2 save percentage and GAA of 2.48. Grabar appeared in 15 games, where she posted a 2.27 GAA and 91.6 save percentage.

The girls’ hockey State Tournament will begin this afternoon, with Fargo Davies and Century kicking things off at noon at the Maysa. Following those two, there will be three more games throughout the day.