RECAP: Grand Forks Red River and Fargo North/South Win State Hockey Championship

THE NORTH DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY CHAMPIONS ARE CROWNED.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR)–On the boys side, Scheels Arena hosted two rivals on the ice. Grand Forks Red River and Grand Forks Central battled for the North Dakota high school hockey State crown Saturday.

Just like a season ago, the State Final was a rematch of the EDC championship. And again,  like a season ago, the loser in the EDC final wins the rematch in State and celebrates as the last team standing.

For Grand Forks Red River, they were the team on the losing end a season ago, falling in triple OT to South-Shanley. This year in state, the Roughriders trailed in every game, but found a way to win each of them. They got their revenge on the Bruins in the semifinals and capped it off with a State Championship, defeating their cross-town rival Grand Forks Central.

In Saturday’s final, it was Keegan Buckley, the tournament MVP, netting a hat trick to help the Riders to the 4-2 win.

Buckley said after the title that Rivalry game just fell their way this time.

“I think it is hard to beat a team multiple times in a row,” said Buckley. “Especially two really good teams going at. So, we just beat them this time.”

Head coach Tim Skarperud spoke on the resilience of this years group.

“I am super proud of these guys,” said Skarperud. “[The guys] showed a lot of character throughout the three games [we were down] and throughout the year. Adversity can be a good thing and a bad thing. We handled it well these last few days and just really proud of these guys.

The Roughriders lost 2-1 earlier in February to the Knights in the EDC final. To win the rematch in the State Title game means everything for the team.

“It is extra special,” said Skarperud. “Central has such a storied program. Their kids fought hard. They battled their butts off. They have a lot to be proud of. It does make it extra special, but both programs, and all 40 kids that played did a hell of a job.”

On the girls side, Fargo North/South did it again. Not one, not two, but three straight championships for the Spruins girls hockey program. In Saturday’s final, the Spruins defeated a red-hot Bismarck Century squad that made the final as an 8-seed.

Kate McComb, the tournament MVP, finished the tourney with 3 goals and 4 assists, including an empty-net goal in the final. In net, the Spruins turned to 8th grader Alyssa Jacobsen who finished as the Goalie on the All-Tournament Team.

After the game, Head Coach Parker Metz spoke on what winning three straight championships means to him and this team.

“These kids just put on a really good performance [in the game],” said Metz. “I could not be happier for them. To cap it off with three straight, its incredible. I just cannot put it into words right now.”

And McComb, who only a junior, says there is nothing stopping them from making it four straight next season and is happy to win a third straight title with this squad.

“It just shows how hard we work,” said McComb. “Just such a great group of girls and I would not want to play with anyone else. It is such a blessing to be able to play with these girls.”

When asked, ‘is this a dynasty yet?’.

“Yes. I would say so,” said McComb. “Definitely.”