Warroad dominates New Ulm in MSHSL boys hockey Class 1A state tournament quarterfinal
ST. PAUL — The No. 2-seed Warroad Warriors (24-5) defeated the New Ulm Eagles (23-6) 8-1 in the Class 1A quarterfinal of the 2024 MSHSL boys hockey state tournament on Wednesday at Xcel Energy Center.
Warroad scored five goals in the second period to pull away. The Warriors outshot the Eagles 37-6 in the game.
In the first period, senior forward Murray Marvis-Cordes picked up a puck right outside the crease and backhanded it into the top of the net for a 1-0 lead.
New Ulm had an opportunity late in the first period to build momentum when Warroad defender tripped an Eagle. But the Eagles could not convert on the power play.
"We've typically been a slow starting team a lot of the year. ... It takes us a little while to wake up," Warroad coach Jay Hardwick said. "These guys don't like getting up that early. I don't like getting up that early."
Warroad showed its class in the second period. The Warriors cored five goals, and the first game 15 seconds into the period.
Mr. Hockey finalist Carson Pilgrim started the procession of goals 15 seconds into the period when he scored below the glove of New Ulm goaltender for a 2-0 lead. Marvin-Cordes scored the second of his three goals in the game five minutes later.
Pilgrim and Marvin-Cordes were forces on Warroad's top line.
"I think our whole top-line, ever since the playoffs have started, they've raised their level of play," Hardwick said. "... You can see their level every day in practice. They've taken another step. That's what you need from your top players. That's what you need from your top line."
But the highlight came when Warroad sophomore Dominic Anthony scored a Michigan goal to give the Warriors a 4-0 lead.
Warroad knocked two more goals in for a 6-0 lead entering the third period. Senior defenseman Ryan Lund scored along with Pilgrim.
The Warriors added two more in the third period, including Marvin-Cordes' third, and New Ulm scored its only goal in the third period from Talan Helget.
New Ulm is required to play every team in the Big South Conference twice, which New Ulm coach Ryan Neuman says leads to a weak schedule, and he'd prefer his players be prepared for postseason hockey by playing a tougher schedule.
"We dropped some quality opponents to go into that [Big South Conference]," Neuman said. "On our end, yes we're getting wins, but we want to play top end. We've never shied from an opponent, or looked to get wins."
Warroad will play the winner of Northfield vs. St. Cloud Cathedral in the semifinals on Friday, March 8 at 11 a.m. at the Xcel Energy Center.
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- Jack Butler | butler@scorebooklive.com | @Butler917
