“We don’t see that every day.”

With five words, Luverne coach Tony Sandbulte summarized his team’s response after being flattened by Breck 8-1 in the third of Wednesday four Class 1A State Tournament quarterfinals.

“We feel we have a pretty good goalie in Cheyenne Schutz,” Sandbulte said. “She doesn’t see shots like that. When you give a team like that open looks, they’re gonna put ‘em away.” 

The Mustangs (23-6) scored eight times in the first period, one shy of the state record of nine for goals scored in the single stanza, with linemates and off-ice best friends Ally Qualley and Ms. Hockey finalist Olivia Mobley combining for six goals. Ava Lindsay potted the other two Mustang tallies between scores from Qualley and Mobley. 

“After four or five days of practice and a day off on Sunday, I think they were ready to get the tournament started,” Breck coach Steve Persian said. 

After the first period, the Mustangs sank into a time-killing formation, moving the puck around the Luverne zone for the next two periods in an effort to finish the game with as few stoppages as possible. 

“We believe that demonstrating respect for our opponent takes precedent over scoring more goals or getting more individual accomplishments,” Persian explained. He added that the decision not to shoot on the Cardinal net for the last 34 minutes of the game was collaborative between the coaching staff and the team’s captains.

Billi Connell scored the lone goal of the loss for Cardinals, giving the team a 1-0 advantage over the Mustangs for the third period. 

With the win, the Mustangs advance to the semifinals in their quest for a third consecutive state championship, an objective that the team is reminded of every day. 

“That goal is (on a) placard in our locker room back at the rink,” Qualley said. “It’s the last thing you see before leaving.”

For the Cardinals (22-5-1), the season continues in the consolation bracket. Sandbulte said that his team would take away from the Breck loss that they won a period at the state tournament, and make the most of its remaining time in St. Paul.

“Ultimately, that’s what we’re here for (too),” Sandbulte said. “To have fun and give these girls a memorable experience.”