OMG tames the Hounds 6-1, Reller snags Hatty

OMG got up early and never took the foot off the gas taking out Duluth East 6-1 in their first round game of the Pumpkin. Brandon Reller had a Hat Trick and Henry Nelson chipped in two goals and two assists for the Black and Gold. Outshooting the Hounds 38 to 12, OMG showed why many think they are the best team in Minnesota. Osseo will take on White Bear in a matchup of two associations with a lot of recent history. 

Minneapolis outlasts Hermantown 3-2 on late Zabinski Goal

Tourney Favorite Minneapolis got all they could handle from northern upstart Hermantown Friday. Down early, Minneapolis scored two goals, one by Gavin Best and the other by Will Svenddal to take a 2-1 lead. Late in the second, the Hawks would answer when Nolan Krenzen fired in a rocket to tie it at 2 on the Power Play. Minneapolis would regain control in the third and take over the Hawks in the third, outshooting them 12-2 in the final period. With 3 minutes left in the game, Mackie Zabinski would grab a loose puck on the blueline  and charge the net. He fired a low shot blocker side to get the game winning goal for the Storm. Final 3-2, Storm. Blake Biondi had 1G/1A  and Jacob Backstrom stopped 30 of 33 shots for Hermantown.

Game 3: Blaine upsets CC 4-3 

Two years ago at Squirt A Blaine knocked off OMG to start the season in an upset. Friday, they knocked off one of the state's perennial favorites Chaska Chan 4-3. Carsen Richels scored back door to get the Bengals on the board first  and Cameron Shoberg got another goal late in the first for 2-0 Bengal lead and then Tyler Davidson scored for CC with a minute left to make the game interesting after 1. After Blaine went up 3-1 on a Sean Schweiger goal, Bobby Brink scored two for the StormHawks the second to tie with a minute left in the second. To start the third, Chaz Lucius got loose in the slot and fired a low shot off Patrick Fontaine's pads and his brother Cruz banged home the rebound for the Game Winning Goal. Final Score, Blaine 4 - Chaska Chan 3.

Wayzata slips past Moorhead 4-3 in OT

The day's most exciting game showcased two teams with a lot of talent and great puck movement. Evan Spadafora scored on the game's first shift to Wayzata an early lead. Caden Triggs would answer for the Spuds to tie it a few minutes later. Wayzata would get the next two goals, one by Ryan Mulrenin and Charlie Bischel. The Spuds fought back, first a goal by Lukas Feir and then a late Game Tying Goal by Jonathan Franklin on a wrister from the slot to send the game into OT. With 38 seconds left in the extra session, Jack Kimlinger would score on a third chance goal to send the Trojans into the Black Bracket final 8. Final, Wayzata over Moorhead 4-3, OT.

Edina nets 8 in win over Elk River

Before Friday, Edina had struggled to put the puck in the net...playing several low scoring games to start the season. Seven different Hornets hit the scoresheet including four goals in a convincing second period. The Hornets tallied nearly 40 shots on goal. Emmet Wurst had 2G/2A and Jackson Borst added 1G/2A for the Hornets. Zach Michaelis added 2G for the Elks including one on a Penalty Shot. Final, Edina 8 - Elk River 2.

Andover knocks of St. Cloud 5-3

Andover capitalized on their opportunities and got great goaltending from Alex Fuerst to get past St. Cloud 5-3 Friday. Luke Kron scored for Andover, but St. Cloud would answer back with two of their own by Nate Warner and Cullen Hiltner to take the lead 2-1 after 1. Both teams would have major flurries and momentum. Andover made the most of theirs three straight goals including a beautiful saucer pass from Eric Chartier to Gunnar who who beat Grant Martin on a pretty backhander. Both teams would trade Power Play goals late to make the final score Andover 5, St. Cloud 3.

Rosemount cruises past EP 6-1 on Kranz Hat Trick

After giving up an early goal, Rosemount took control of the game scoring six unanswered goals, two in the first, three in the second and one in the third including a natural hat trick by Keaton Kranz. The Irish oushot EP 34 to 16 and showed why they are one of the best teams on Minnesota. They will take on Wayzata Saturday for berth in the Final 4.

White Bear sinks Prior Lake on two third period Goals

In a great back and forth game between two teams with a lot of star power, White Bear got two quick third period goals by Cameron Berg and Brady O'Brien. In a penalty marred game that had White Bear in the box ten of the final 16 minutes, Prior Lake could not capitalize on several opportunities late in the game. Wyatt Vint turned away 22 shots, several on the Power Play by canon launcher Sam Emmerich from the point. The Bears held off two late charges by the Lakers to win 3-2.