U12 girls head to state

The CEC U12B hockey team is headed to state in Proctor this weekend.

Made up of girls from Cloquet, Esko and Carlton, the team finished its regular season with 31 wins, eight losses and three ties.

The team took second place in its regular season District 11 league and second place in league playoffs, which allowed them to advance to regions. There, the team beat Alexandria and Northern Lakes in the first two games, then lost to Moose Lake (the region champion), before beating Hibbing to take second in regions and advance to state, set for this weekend in Proctor.

"Ironically the team has taken second to only one team in league play, the district tournament, and the region tournament while on its way to the state tournament: Moose Lake," said coach Drew Rasmussen, adding that the Moose Lake team is ranked No. 1 and undefeated for the season. Other coaches include co-head coach Richard Bartholdi and assistant coaches Judd Parks and Jeff Lindstrom.

This is the fifth time since 1997 that a CEC U12B team has been to the state tournament. The CEC plays team Mankato at 6 p.m. Friday, March 15, at the new arena in Proctor.