Hill-Murray tops Centennial in Minnesota High School Girls Hockey Class 2A Championship: Live Score Recap (2/21)

ST. PAUL — The Hill-Murray Pioneers entered the season as the defending state champions. Many important players from the title team returned, but they knew their best was good enough to beat anyone, so their motto was simple: “Nothing changes.”

The No. 1 Hill-Murray Pioneers (26-3-1) defeated the No. 2 Centennial/Spring Lake Park Cougars (26-4-1) 4-3 in the 2026 MSHSL Class 2A girls hockey championship on Saturday at Grand Casino Arena.

The Pioneers had to survive a flurry of late goals by the Cougars, but before that, they built a 4-0 lead thanks to a strong defense and sacrifice from their forwards Sophie Olson and Jaycee Chatlein. They needed to contain Centennial/Spring Lake Park’s centers throughout the night, and for most of it, they did.

“We’re the state champs because Jaycee was willing to do that today. Sophie has been willing to do that her entire career here,” Hill-Murray head coach John Pohl said. “Playing a defensive game for the good of the team, these two were unbelievable tonight.”

The Pioneers felt sacrifice was the model to success for a team with a lot of individual talent.

“We always talk about character and being good teammates,” junior forward Emily Pohl said. “Character means a lot to our team.”

Hill-Murray freshman goalie Piper Tam was also solid in goal for much of the game. She won the title as an eighth grader, and she came back as a freshman and finished with 33 saves.

The Cougars pushed back despite the daunting deficit. They took advantage of Hill-Murray penalties as well as an extra attacker with the goalie pulled to the bench. With 2:31 remaining in the game, Lilian Renslow deflected a shot in during a power play. They scored again one minute later, and they added a third during a 6-on-3.

But the third goal came with four seconds remaining, which is not enough time for a miracle.

“Another minute, I bet we would’ve had that,” senior forward Ella Perreault said.

The Cougars lost in the first round of the state tournament last year. Saturday’s runner-up finish is tied for the second best finish in school history.

“Obviously we want to get to the top of the mountain, but we are climbing,” Centennial/Spring Lake Park head coach Sean Molin said. “We are making progress.”

They’re climbing to reach where Hill-Murray will remain, and once again, the Pioneers return a lot of talent. They will lose only two seniors, but those losses will present new challenges.

“We don’t look at this as back-to-back,” John Pohl said. “It’s a new team every year.”

Hill-Murray tops Centennial in Minnesota High School Girls Hockey Class 2A Championship: Live Score Recap (2/21)

First Period Updates

Hill-Murray wins the faceoff and we're underway.

GOAL HILL-MURRAY! Jaycee Chatleain scores right in front of the crease after Emily Pohl skated around the back of the net and passed it to her — Hill-Murray 1, Centennial/SLP 0 — 14:10

Six minutes remain in the period, and Hill-Murray has a 6-5 shots on goal advantage. Neither team has created a big chance since the goal.

Centennial/SLP's Alaina Gnetz missed an open chance on a cross ice pass, but the shot was wide — 3:25

Hill-Murray freshman goalie Piper Tam made a stretching pad save on Gnetz, who had the puck right in front of the net with 34 seconds remaining in the period.

END OF FIRST PERIOD: Hill-Murray 1, Centennial 0

Hill-Murray has a 9-8 shots on goal advantage,

Second Period Updates

The second period is underway.

GOAL HILL-MURRAY! Emily Pohl sped to the net and cleaned up a loose puck in front of the crease. Sophie Olson and Taylor Miller with the assist — Hill-Murray 2, Centennial/SLP 0 — 14:45

Eight minutes remain, and Hill-Murray still leads 2-0. Neither team is dominating the puck in the period so far.

Power play for Hill-Murray. Gnetz gets two minutes for slashing — 4:20

Hill-Murray will have a 5-on-3 for 22 seconds after Katie Bell is called for cross checking — 2:36

Centennial kills both penalites.

END OF SECOND PERIOD: Hill-Murray 2, Centennial 0

Hill-Murray has a 21-20 shots on goal edge.

Third Period Updates

The third period is underway.

GOAL HILL-MURRAY! The Cougars turned the puck over in the neutral zone, and Hill-Murray's Reese Unklesbay carried it to the goal and shot it by Centennial goalie Kaia Weiland's pad — Hill-Murray 3, Centennial/SLP 0 — 15:21

GOAL HILL-MURRAY! Weiland tapped a puck away with her stick, but it went right to Olson who scored — Hill-Murray 4, Centennial 0 — 13:08

Centennial/SLP will have a power play. Hill-Murray's Chatleain is called for roughing — 7:50

Hill-Murray kills the penalty.

Power play for Centennial/SLP. Freshman Hannah Rychley is in the penalty box for two minutes for tripping — 3:45

GOAL CENTENNIAL/SLP! Lilian Renslow deflected a shot past Tam during the power play. She stood in front of the net and tipped it by Tam's glove — Hill-Murray 4, Centennial 1 — 2:31

GOAL CENTENNIAL/SLP! Jozie Kelzenberg was waiting outside the crease, and she put the puck around Tam as it slid to her from behind the net — Hill-Murray 4, Centennial/SLP 2 — 1:39

GOAL CENTENNIAL/SLP! After Tam was called for a cross checking penalty, and Centennial/SLP's net was empty, the Cougars had a 6-on-3, and Kelzenberg scored with four seconds remaining — Hill-Murray 4, Centennial/SLP 3

FINAL: Hill-Murray 4, Centennial/SLP 3

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