Centennial withdraws from State Girls Hockey Tourney due to COVID-19 positive test
A positive COVID-19 test is forcing the Centennial girls hockey team to withdraw from the State Tournament.
Centennial’s athletic department Twitter account announced a lab-confirmed positive case that forced the difficult move of withdrawing.
The Cougars were scheduled to face Edina in the State Quarterfinals on Saturday, but announced Wednesday they are out of the tournament due to protocols. The MSHSL announced Edina will advance via forfeit to the State Semifinals.
Due to a lab-confirmed positive case @CentGirlsHockey is unable to compete in the State Tournament. We are so proud of this team on and off the ice and we are heartbroken for them. #WeAreCentennial #RollCougs
— Centennial Cougars (@CentCougs) March 24, 2021
The Cougar hockey team’s twitter account also posted the news along with the comment, "Lots of tears right now."
It is with a heavy heart that we are officially out of the Minnesota State Hockey Tournament. We had a Positive test. These girls have always overachieved making the state youth and now high school tournament when nobody thought it was possible. Lots of tears right now but…..
— Cougar Girls Hockey (@CentGirlsHockey) March 24, 2021
The team account followed with an encouraging tweet taking a bittersweet-but-positive angle on the situation.
That pesky sun will come out tomorrow. That win against Undefeated Edina was going to be sweet.
— Cougar Girls Hockey (@CentGirlsHockey) March 24, 2021
A statement from the Minnesota High School league followed the announcement
“This year continues to create incredibly unfortunate situations for many student-athletes," MSHSL Executive Director Erich Martens said via a statement posted on Twitter. "It’s heart-breaking when a team that has worked hard to achieve a dream of playing in a state tournament has their opportunity affected by COVID.”
Centennial defeated Maple Grove in the Section Final to earn the trip to the State Tournament.
This was to be Centennial’s fourth apperance in the State Girls Hockey Tournament – their first since finishing runners-up in 2018, which stands as the best finish in program history.