ROSEAU, Minn. -- When Amanda Monkman suffered a season-ending broken leg in a game against Crookston on Jan. 8, there were concerns on how Roseau's girls hockey season would play out.
"Amanda is our top defenseman," senior classmate Amy Olson said. "We were really bummed. And we were really nervous; she's a huge part of our team.
"But we felt we could still win our section. We decided to rally around her, to win not just for ourselves but for Amanda."
Without Monkman, Roseau changed its defensive scheme on the fly. The adjustments worked -- Roseau is 23-5, the champion of Section 8AA and headed for the Minnesota Class AA girls high school hockey tournament. The Rams play Edina in a 1 p.m. quarterfinal game Thursday in Minneapolis.
Roseau takes a nine-game winning streak to state. The Rams haven't given up more than two goals in any of their last eight games without Monkman, a St. Cloud State University recruit who Roseau coach Brian Bergstrom ranks as one of the best defensemen in the state.
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"We had to have other kids step up without Amanda," Bergstrom said. "Before, it was one outstanding defenseman with others helping out. Now we've had to rely on a corps of solid defenders."
The defensive unit is young -- junior Emily Hallie, sophomores Taylor McFarlane and Ashley Komplien and freshman Katlyn Byfuglien. Senior Katie Olson has been strong in the nets with a 1.65 goals-against average and a .883 save percentage. Opponents average only 13.1 shots on goal per game.
"We're very pleased with how our defensemen have stepped up," Bergstrom said. "As the year has gone on, they've gotten better and better. They've taken on more responsibilities and put more pressure on themselves to do well.
"We're a very balanced team. We take a lot of pride in our ability to limit the number of shots teams get in games. We take a lot of pride in our defense."
Monkman hasn't been the only casualty this season. The list of Rams who have missed extended time due to injuries or illness includes Katie Olson, Byfuglien, Ciscely Nelson and Paige Moser.
"We've gone through a lot of adversity," Amy Olson said. "But we kept working and winning. I think we're a better team."
Two-pronged offense
While the Rams' defense has been stingy, Abby Ness and Amy Olson are the focal points of the attack.
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Ness has a team-leading 70 points on 29 goals and 41 assists. Amy Olson, who plans to play hockey at St. Cloud State, has 31 goals and 26 assists. Then the production drops off -- Karlie Hedlund's 11 goals are third on the team, while McFarlane's 23 points are third.
"Those two (Ness and Amy Olson) can do everything," Bergstrom said. "They're just complete players. They've consistently been doing this for three years."
Amy Olson said there is some pressure on Ness and herself.
"At times, it's tough," she said. "If we're shut down, where do we get the points? But we have other girls who can contribute. Ciscely has really stepped up in the playoffs, and other girls have had big games."
Whether it's been overcoming injuries or producing more on offense, Roseau has spent its season finding ways to get things done.
DeVillers reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1128; (800) 477-6572, ext. 128; or send e-mail to gdevillers@gfherald.com .
