Mirage Looking to Add Another Banner with 5th Straight State Tournament Appearance

The Mirage are vying for their first state title since 2021.

PROCTOR, Minn.- For the 5th straight year, the Proctor/Hermantown Mirage will make their way to the Xcel Energy Center for the opportunity to compete for the Class A state title.

The Mirage drew the five seed and will open up tournament play against the fourth seed, Holy Angels.

It’s been since November of last year when the two teams last squared off. In the end, they both settled for the 1 to 1 tie.

Head Coach Emma Stauber says like each year every team is different and this year’s Mirage squad was tested in more ways than one.

“Just resilience to change and adversity. We don’t play a light schedule by any means so it definitely challenges them throughout the season and they’ve handled it very well this year,” said Stauber.

“You look up at that everyday when we practice. That’s what we want to achieve as a team. Especially because no one on this team has won that state championship. Looking up at that is just motivation every day,” said forward Ella Rothe.

As for what it’s going to take to add that next banner.

“We know every team down there is going to be really good. It’s going to be some good competition. So, we definitely just have to try our hardest every shift and be prepared for anything,” said forward Mya Gunderson.

“With passes, playmaking, everything. The energy on the bench has been unbelievable this year. Every one is always so fired up,” added defender Rylee Kalkbrenner.

The Mirage are vying for their first state title since 2021.

Proctor/Hermantown and Holy Angels will drop the puck at 8 PM on Wednesday night in St. Paul.