Semifinal notes: Warroad star says repeat trips to Xcel remain fun

The Marvin name in Warroad is widely known for the window and door company, but this time of year it's associated with girls' hockey more than anything else.

Senior forward Lisa Marvin is leading the Warriors' attempt at a third Class 1A state championship in four years.

Warroad beat South St. Paul 4-1 in Friday's semifinals. The Warriors will play Blake on Saturday in the championship game.

Marvin said she's sometimes mistaken by fans for her cousin, Gigi, a U.S. national women's hockey team member and silver medalist.

Marvin's older sister, Layla, plays hockey at the University of North Dakota, which is also Lisa's school of choice.

"Yeah [it's all about hockey], just cause of relatives, and playing, and Gigi. ... Everyone knows her," Lisa said. "We have good supporters in Warroad, a lot of them wish they could be here."

During Lisa's five-year varsity career, the Warriors have reached the state tournament each season and compiled a record of 132-13-3. She is Minnesota's career assists leader with 265 and has 63 as a senior. The quick forward has five goals and three assists so far in her final state tournament.

"It gets you excited every time walking out of the tunnel [at Xcel Energy Center] and into the big atmosphere," she said. "You definitely don't get used to it."

Red Wing reached goalSenior defender Paige Haley said Red Wing achieved its goal of a semifinal berth. Anything more would have surpassed expectations of a team with only two seniors.

The Wingers' 6-3 loss to Blake in Friday's Class 1A semifinals hurt mostly because Red Wing hadn't lost since Jan. 15.

"Our goal probably was to get to the semifinal game," Haley said, "and that's what we accomplished. I'm really proud of all of our girls."

Haley said a third-place finish would provide the respect she and her teammates were hoping for.

Hill-Murray player hurtHill-Murray freshman forward Jac Kaasa missed Friday's 2-1 semifinal victory against Eden Prairie with a broken right thumb. One day after posting a goal and an assist in the Pioneers' quarterfinal victory against Eagan, Kaasa, the right wing on the top line, was on the bench with her hand in a fluorescent green cast.