Minnesota Girls Hockey 2A State Tournament Quarterfinals Scores and Video

Several players competing in the 2A tournament won gold with Team USA at the U18 World Championships.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Class 2A girls hockey state quarterfinals are underway in Minnesota, with several players competing who recently won gold with the U.S. national team at the U18 World Championships. The action begins with defending 2A champion Hill-Murray taking on No. 8 seed Lakeville North, followed by Bemidji facing off against Edina.

Why it matters

The 2A state tournament features some of the top high school girls hockey talent in Minnesota, including several players who have found success on the international stage. This adds an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to the proceedings as these young athletes compete for a state title.

The details

During Wednesday's 1A quarterfinals, the U.S. national team's goal celebration song "Free Bird" was played at the Grand Casino Arena when a goal was scored. This trend is expected to continue during the 2A tournament, as several players competing - including Centennial/Spring Lake Park's Alaina Gnetz, Bemidji's Bailey Rupp, Hill-Murray's Addy McLay and Emily Pohl, and Holy Family's Katya Sander and Maddy Kimbrel - were part of the U.S. team that won gold at the U18 World Championships.

  • The 2A quarterfinals begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • The first game of the day features top-seeded Hill-Murray (23-3-1) taking on No. 8 seed Lakeville North (17-9-2) at 11 a.m.

The players

Alaina Gnetz

A player for Centennial/Spring Lake Park who won gold with the U.S. U18 national team.

Bailey Rupp

A player for Bemidji who won gold with the U.S. U18 national team.

Addy McLay

A player for Hill-Murray who won gold with the U.S. U18 national team.

Emily Pohl

A player for Hill-Murray who won gold with the U.S. U18 national team.

Katya Sander

A player for Holy Family who won gold with the U.S. U18 national team.

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What they’re saying

“Between today's U.S. Olympic women's hockey gold medal game and the Class 2A girls hockey state quarterfinals, I'm ready to hear a lot of 'Free Bird' played over hockey rink loudspeakers.”

— Cassidy Hettesheimer, Author (startribune.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Hill-Murray vs. Lakeville North game will face the winner of the Bemidji vs. Edina matchup in the 2A semifinals.

The takeaway

The 2A girls hockey state tournament features a talented pool of players, some of whom have already found success on the international stage with the U.S. national team. This adds an extra layer of excitement and intrigue as these young athletes compete for a coveted state title.