It’s almost like a hockey homecoming for Duluth East.

The Greyhounds are headed to their seventh straight state Class 2A tournament after defeating Elk River 5-4 in double overtime in the Section 7 championship game Thursday night at Amsoil Arena in Duluth.

“It’s a dream come true. It really is,” said Worth, who scored the game winner 1 minute, 49 seconds into the second overtime. “We have amazing leaders, a great coaching staff. I mean (Duluth East coach) Mike Randolph is a freaking legend. It’s unbelievable.”

Worth’s goal and the Greyhounds’ tenacity against the Elks had Randolph in good spirits after his team’s victory. Randolph credited the players' character for helping Duluth East overcome several droughts and a less-than-stellar record during the regular season to punch a ticket to the state tournament.

"They never quit all year," he said. “We’re obviously very excited to be going back to the state tournament."

Duluth East (14-10-4) experienced a drought early in the championship game as Elk River (22-5-1) shut down the Greyhounds’ offense and got a pair of goals from Jacob Jaremko to build a 3-0 lead by the end of the first period.

Despite the deficit, Duluth East remained positive.

“We fought back all year,” Worth said. “We knew we were going to get to this final game. We just told each other, “We’re going to be alright.’”

The ‘Hounds responded in the second period with consecutive goals from Ash Altmann, Nick Altmann and Nick Funk to even the score 3-3.

However, Elk River played like a team determined to secure its first state tournament bid since 2005, and the Elks closed out the period with a goal and the 4-3 lead.

Worth said Duluth East regrouped again and came out confident in the third.

Ryan Peterson netted the equalizer with less than 4 minutes to play to force the first overtime, and when Worth tallied the game winner in the second overtime the Greyhounds altered what senior captain Nick Altmann said was a forgone conclusion by some.

“Nobody believed in us in this game,” Altmann said. “Everyone was saying (Elk River was) going to blow us out and run us off the ice. I just told (my team), 'We need to keep it within the team and believe in each other.’ We just proved everyone in the state wrong. It feels unreal.”

As soon as Worth's shot passed the goal line, two full sections of Duluth East fans rushed to the plexiglass and pushed it to the point of nearly breaking. 

That energy and support from the fans was key in the victory, Worth said.

“When you see them up there, you want to skate harder, work harder,” he said. “It was a huge motivation.”

Emotions ran high throughout the night, which culminated in tears of joy and despair. 

The experience left Altmann with an indescribable feeling.

“There’s no words to explain this,” Altmann said. “I want to cry. It’s unreal.”

First Report

Garret Worth scored 1 minute, 49 seconds into the second overtime as third-seeded Duluth East upset top-seeded Elk River 5-4 in the Class 2A, Section 7 championship at Amsoil Arena in Duluth, Minn., on Thursday.

Greyhounds advanced to their seventh consecutive state tournament with the victory. 

Elk River jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period as Jax Murray sandwiched a goal between two from Jacob Jaremko, including one scored just 48 seconds into the game.

Duluth East tied the game in the second with goals from Ash Altmann, Nick Altmann and Nick Funk, but Reggie Lutz’ goal with less than 2 minutes to play gave the Elks a 4-3 lead heading into the final period.

Ryan Peterson’s goal with 4 minutes to play in the game pulled the Greyhounds even and forced the first overtime, where both teams went scoreless to set up the second overtime.

Duluth East goalie Gunner Howg finished with 27 saves while Ben Meyers had 28 for Elk River.

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