Sports teams have always been a source of pride for their communities—win or lose, they inspire with their heart and effort. This season, the Peewee B hockey team carried that spirit forward, earning their way to the state tournament in Plymouth.
On Thursday, March 13th, as they headed to the state tournament, the team received an unforgettable send-off. Local law enforcement and the city’s firetruck led a spirited escort out of Silver Bay, enroute to Two Harbors, with car horns blaring their encouragement as the boys passed by.
The moment symbolized the pride their communities of Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Grand Marais have in their kids. It was perfectly captured on the Silver Bay Hockey Facebook page, with the caption reading, “Next stop, Two Harbors to meet up with the rest of the team to continue their journey to Plymouth!”
A photo captured by Lisa Malcomb shows that the recognition began right in the halls of William Kelley. Players walked through a corridor filled with applause from students and staff, while proudly wearing their ‘State Bound!’ sweatshirts and smiling from ear to ear.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Josh Klemmer and Assistant Coach Nolan Koskela, the team had an exceptional season. Earlier in the year, they achieved an incredible 20-game winning streak, showcasing their offensive power with an average of eight goals per game, all while maintaining a rock-solid defense.
The Peewee team earned the title of District Champions this year, and their journey continued into Regionals where they secured second place. This achievement was sealed with an intense overtime victory against Hermantown, which clinched their spot in the state tournament.
At the state tournament, the North Shore Storm team, made up of players ages 12 and 13, faced a tough matchup against East Grand Forks, who finished their regular season as the #1 team in the state. Despite their best efforts, they fell 6-1. The lone goal for the Storm was scored by Nico Tersteeg.
The team was next up against Dodge County, who finished as the #5 team in the state. The Storm started off strong with a 3-0 lead but were overtaken by Dodge County and lost 6-3, putting an end to their phenomenal season. Tersteeg scored two goals, and Wyatt Metzger scored the third during the game.
Klemmer reported highlights of the season include winning the District 11 playoffs and beating Grand Rapids, who eventually won the state championship.
“It was fun to see how far the kids improved from the first game in Superior. We lost the first game to Superior 10-3 then, and the end of the year we ended up beating them by two goals,” said the coach.
Congratulations to the Peewee hockey team who made their community proud all season long! We can’t wait to see what incredible accomplishments lie ahead in the seasons to come.
