Wild ending gives Wildcats first state title

Zoe Heimer’s chip shot late in the first overtime was perhaps the first time a state title was determined on a reviewed play.

After winning a faceoff in the Warroad zone, the puck ended up near the crease where Maysie Koch flipped a puck on goal that bounced off the post and to the side of the net where Heimer was able to get a stick on it and shovel it towards the goal at sprawling Warroad goaltender Payton Rossi. Heimer celebrated as if it was a goal, but initially the officials signaled “no goal.”

“Once I saw it cross I saw one of the Warroad girls take it out and I knew right away that crossed the goal line,” said Heimer. “I ran back to the bench and said gosh you guys that crossed the goal line, we gotta have a replay.”

Players retreated to their benches and after review, the officials determined the puck indeed crossed the goal line, giving Dodge County their first state championship in program history.

Warroad had trailed 3-1 when Vivienne Marcowka scored two goals within 39 seconds to tie the game. It stayed that way until the end of regulation as Warroad was seeking their fourth straight title. They were also coming off a three-overtime game the night before against Orono.

Dodge County’s Ida Huber was strong in goal as Warroad controlled the second period, outshooting the Wildcats 16-4.

The teams were deadlocked after one period. Taylor Reese opened the scoring for the Warriors with assists to Jaylie French and Marcowka at the 14:21 mark. But Dodge County answered with a goal by Heimer, assisted by Mollie Koch and Nora Carstensen.

Kylie Meyer gave Dodge County the lead with a goal early in the second period and Carstensen added another just a minute later, giving the Wildcats a 3-1 lead.

At that point it looked like the Wildcats might run away with it. But Warroad answered, as they always do. Marcowka scored a pair of goals to tie it, leading to the overtime where Heimer became the hero, albeit, a delayed one.

“I looked over and saw the other two refs give a little head nod I was like that is a full goal, I know it is,” said Heimer. “We were kind of all waiting and were nervous but I started taking off my straps and I was like there is no way that is not a goal.”

The win is certainly a feather in the cap not just for Dodge County, but for southern Minnesota hockey. Head coach Jeremy Gunderson has built a perennial top-5 team.

“We just stay to the grind,” he said following the championship win. “It as everybody. We don’t have individuals. We’re not toe dragging. We’re playing the old way. We grind it blue-collar style.”

Now, they are champions.

“Last year losing kind of stung but this year winning is kind of numbing, “ Gudnerson saidl. “You just don’t believe it’s even real. “