Warroad routs Northern Lakes in Minnesota High School Boys Hockey State Tournament Quarterfinals

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The No. 3 Warroad Warriors (23-5-1) will head to the semifinals after defeating the No. 6 Northern Lakes Lightning (17-11-1) in the 2026 MSHSL boys hockey Class 1A quarterfinal on Wednesday at Grand Casino Arena.

Warroad dominated Section 3A to reach its 26th state tournament. Warriors freshman defender Ayven Hontvet is a standout for the Warriors, and he scored yet again for his 16th of the year. This one to seal the game.

It was a pretty even start in the first period. Both teams traded chances but there were no real high-danger chances. A few power plays for each team but both goaltenders stood tall.

"I thought the first period we were a little slow, but we had some great scoring chances," Warroad head coach Jay Hardwick said. "We talked after the period that we could have easily scored two or three goals in the first, but we didn't capitalize on them. We knew we needed to be better."

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Lightning goaltender Sam Suja was a big reason why Northern Lakes went to the state tournament for just the third time ever. He stopped all 14 shots he faced in the first period for the Lightning which kept them in it.

The final score wasn't really indicative of how he played, though. Suja stopped 39-of-44 in the loss. The Warriors could have had more goals if it weren't for Suja.

"He's a wall for us every game, and he challenges us in practice," junior forward Parker Fulton said on Suja. "He's an absolute stud of a goaltender, and he is one of the best, if not the best, in the state."

Other than Suja, the storyline heading into this game and the tournament for Warroad was the goaltending.

Junior netminder Finn Hanson has an upper-body injury and did not play in the Quarterfinals. The Warriors had to turn to backup goaltender Patrick Kennedy.

Although he isnt the starter, Kennedy has gotten in some games for the Warriors and has looked good. To Hardwick, it came as no surprise that he pitched a shutout.

"I didn't surprise me. Every game Patrick has played in this year, he has been very good," Hardwick said. "He came in after the first period in the section final and made some big saves for us. He made some big saves for us again tonight when we needed him and had some breakdowns."

In the last five periods, Kennedy has been perfect. With Hanson out the rest of the way, it will be the senior's net.

Ryan Shaugabay scored twice in the game, both after Gavin Andersen scored six seconds into the second period. For Shaugabay, it was his 22nd and 23rd goals of the year. He has now reached 50 points for the second consecutive season.

After Shaugabay's goal, it was the fresman Hontvet who made it 4-0 with under three mintues left. Not long after, a breakdown in the defensive zone led to Grayson Bentow's second goal of the season and second point.

Warroad walked away with a 5-0 win and will now play Delano on Friday for the Semifinal game.

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Warroad routes Northern Lakes in Minnesota High School Boys Hockey State Tournament Quarterfinals: Live Score Recap

FIRST PERIOD UPDATES

The first period is underway.

Warroad led in shots 14-11, over Northern Lakes. Each team had a power play, but neither could cash in. Pretty even first period.

END OF FIRST PERIOD: Warroad 0, Northern Lakes 0

SECOND PERIOD UPDATES

Second period is underway.

GOAL WARROAD! Just six seconds into the second period, Gavin Andersen forced a turnover and scored on a breakaway. 1-0 Warroad with 16:54 left in the second.

GOAL WARROAD! On another breakaway Ryan Shaugabay gave the Warriors a 2-0 lead with 4:27 left in the second period. It was his 22nd goal of the year. Rodrick Jackson got the assist.

Warroard took control in the second period with 14 shots for a two period total of 27. Northern had five shots for a two period total of 16.

END OF SECOND PERIOD: Warroad 2, Northern Lakes 0

THIRD PERIOD UPDATES

The third period is underway.

Northern Lakes with a fast start to the period, with a good chance in front, but Warroads' backup goaltender Patrick Kennedy.

Warroad has countered with some sustained play. 12:32 left in the game. 2-0 Warriors.

PENALTY WARROAD: Northern Lakes heads to the power play down 2-0 with 8:16 left.

With 1:17 left on the penalty and 7:32 left in the game, Lightning goaltender Sam Suja makes a huge stop on Warroad's Gavin Andersen.

Warroad kills it off and had the better of the chances. 2-0 Warroad with 6:16 left.

WARROAD GOAL! As time expired on the penalty, Warroad's Ryan Shaugaby scores on the 2-on-1 with Gavin Andersen. 3-0 Warriors with 6:15 left in the game.

That will do it! Warroad will advance to the Semifinals and face Delano at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 6.

WARROAD GOAL! Freshman Ayven Honvet scores with 2:03 left in the game to take a 4-0 lead.

WARROAD GOAL! Grayson Bentow puts it away with a goal. His second of the year.

With an injury to the Warriors' starter, Patrick Kennedy got the start for the Warriors and picked up a 24-save shutout.

FINAL: Warroad 5, Northern Lakes 0

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