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The Class 1A, Section 7 girls hockey championship will be decided Wednesday night in Proctor, where top-seeded Proctor/Hermantown will face second-seeded North Shore at 7 p.m.
Proctor/Hermantown Mirage enters the title game with a 17-6-2 record after advancing with an 8-0 victory over Rock Ridge in Saturday’s semifinal. North Shore Storm, 17-9-0, reached the final by edging Cloquet/Esko/Carlton 7-4 in the other semifinal.
The teams met once during the regular season, on Jan. 3 at NorthStar Ford Arena, with Proctor/Hermantown winning 8-2.
Proctor/Hermantown’s success has been built on balance, with three players with more than 30 points, led by Mya Gunderson, who has 20 goals and 35 points. Grace Nichols and Avery Milbridge each have 32 points, giving the Mirage multiple scoring threats that make defensive matchups difficult.
Depth has also played a significant role. Ella Kaups has 28 points, while Aubrey Miner has 23 and Natalie Heitzman has 22. Peighton Paulson and Taylee Manion have added secondary scoring, allowing the Mirage to maintain pressure even as the bench shortens during the postseason.
In goal, Proctor/Hermantown has relied primarily on Suri Langley, who is 9-5-1 with a 2.00 goals-against average. Lillian Clemons has provided steady support, posting a 1.23 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage, giving the Mirage flexibility and stability in net.