Brainerd/Little Falls Girls Hockey Comes Up Just Short In Class AA Championship

Brainerd head coach Jim Ernster said their goal was to win three games downs in St Paul. The Warriors came up only one goal short but they definitely surprised some people with their play throughout the tournament.

“Doing this, this weekend and it pushed our program and really got our community involved and it was a good thing all around, even though it didn’t end up where we wanted,” said senior goalie Olivia King.

Edina will take the headlines of winning their third consecutive state title, but no one will forget the incredible play of Olivia King who made 51 saves for Brainerd.

“She kept us in the game,” said senior Cheyenne Abear. She built us up countless times and had our backs even when we didn’t have hers.”

Brainerd spent a lot of time in the defensive zone due in part to the warrior getting called for seven penalties, including a five-minute major and a ten-minute misconduct.”

“I didn’t think we were particularly aggressive,” said Ernster. “I thought the referees were misinterpreting some of what was going on on the ice.”

“The culture that these seniors continually have left behind the last few years is one that’s going to stay with our program and continues to help build it,” added Ernster.