Warroad, St. Louis Park win annual VFW Bantam State Invitational

Warroad Bantam A — Warroad celebrates a goal against Forest Lake in the Bantam A championship game at the annual VFW Bantam Invitational. The Warriors came out with a 7-4 win and were crowned champions of the 'A' division on Sunday, March 13th, 2022.

By Sydney Wolf

March 14, 2022 05:02 PM

ELK RIVER, Minn. — The annual VFW Bantam State Invitational Tournament resumed this year for the first time since 2019, as the Covid-19 pandemic forced a break until this past weekend.

Eight teams in both Bantam A and AA skated for the top prize at the 67th annual tournament, hosted this year by the Elk River/Rogers VFW Post 5518 at the Furniture and Things Community Event Center. For most of the teams, the tournament was the last one of the season.

This year, Warroad defended their 2019 Bantam A title in a 7-4 championship game win over Forest Lake.

In the Bantam AA bracket, St. Louis Park knocked off defending VFW state champs Centennial with a 3-2 overtime victory.

Watch the video below for comments from VFW State Commander Barry Henriksen, Warroad Head Coach Bryce Ravndalen and St. Louis Park Captain Junior Podein.

Make sure to look through the photo gallery below for photos of both championship games.