By: The Sports Guy
Proctor Journal

Proctor-Hermantown-Marshall wraps up the regular girls hockey season with a home ice rematch with Cloquet-Esko-Carlton tomorrow night at Mars-Lakeview arena. The Lumberjacks edged the Mirage 2-1 in a hotly-contested game at the Cloquet Thunderdome earlier in the season and PHM is seeking both revenge for that loss and some winning momentum to carry them into the section play-offs beginning next week.

After beating state-ranked #2 Grand Rapids-Greenway two weeks ago and riding a 10-game streak without a loss, the 16-3-2 Mirage had the opportunity to establish themselves as the undisputed best team in Northeastern Minnesota with a home-ice win over the Duluth Northern Stars on Tues., Jan. 22. After pulling to a 2-0 lead off unassisted goals by Emma Stauber and Jami Weiss in the first period, PHM was unable to again crack the stellar netminding of DNS goalie Laura Bellamy—en route to a 25-save game total—while Bellamy’s teammates scored three times to take the victory and ensure at least a co-LSC team title. Katie Gilderman had a fine effort with 13 saves, the last two goals coming from a DNS centering shot from behind the net, and a scramble in front of the net that took Gilderman off her feet with nothing but net for the Stars’ shooter.

The state-ranked #14 Mirage came back stronger than ever after the loss, taking a 6-1 home ice win over Chisago Lakes Area on Sat., Jan. 26. Weiss and Julia Gilbert each scored two goals, along with single goals by Elly Power and Sarah Edgerton. Gilbert (3) and Edgerton (2) had multiple assists in the game, while Weiss, Alyssa Wargin, Brittney Smith, and Brooke Morin picked up one each. Jen Coyle had 8 saves for the win.