District 15 Champs! PHOTO by JENNY OLSON
Coming into tournament play as the #1 seed, the Otters first faced Brainerd-Little Falls on Saturday morning. Maddie Brimhall put the home team on the board early, scoring on a setup from Averie Tonneson after 3 minutes of play. Fergus Falls put some great pressure on BLF’s goalie throughout the period, but it was only in the final minute they were able to score a second time. This time, Maggie Greenagel earned the point for the Otters, assisted by Brimhall & Tonneson. In the second period, Brimhall & Greenagel each scored again, assisting each other on both (Ella Lee also earned an assist on the Greenagel goal). Then, in the third, things hit a whole new level for the Pemberton girls: Brimhall scored three straight times within the first four minutes of the period, twice unassisted and once aided by Tonneson & Payton Wolden. Then, Tonneson took her turn, scoring twice on two Power Play opportunities, assisted by Brimhall & Celia Smith. A total of 45 Otter shots were placed on goal in the matchup, with 9 hitting the scoreboard. Goalie Mia Olson earned her 8th shutout of the season.
Maddie Brimhall Scores! PHOTO by JENNY OLSON
In the other half of the bracket, a close match ended with Alexandria edging Moorhead 4-2. Early on Saturday afternoon, the familiar foes took the ice at the Community Arena for the championship. Greenagel wasted no time, making good on a feed from Brimhall in the first minute of the first period. The Cardinals answered fire, sneaking one in to clear the zero. Next, Greenagel scored an impressive 4 straight times over the duration of the period: First, Brimhall & Brinly Shol provided the assists. Then, Lydia Johnson earned the apple. On the final goal of the period, it was Tonneson & Shol setting the stage on the Power Play. Returning in the second period, Brimhall improved on an already impressive lead, putting the Otters in front 5-1 with an assist from Tonneson. The Cards earned one back before the end of the period, but this would prove to be the last shot that got the better of Olson. Returning in the third period, a short-handed goal by Brimhall & Tonneson proved to be the proverbial nail in the coffin for the visiting Cardinals. Then, just for good measure, Brimhall earned an unassisted biscuit before providing the setup for a final goal from Tonneson. Otter goalie Mia Olson earned 22 saves in the 8-2 victory.
With the District 15 Championship in hand, the next stop for the Pemberton 12UA Otters is the West Regional tournament in Alexandria on March 4th-6th, where they hope to keep the season going as one of two teams advancing to the State tournament in Stillwater. Fergus Falls will take on the 3rd seed from District 5 at 6 PM on Friday, March 4th at the Runestone Community Center.
