Burning bulbs on Bushy 

The sheet of ice at the Cullen Hockey Center, named after famed rink manager Dennis Bushy, has seen more than its fair share of lopsided scores this morning. 

First, Moorhead proved that the cupboard isn't bare at the Bantam level by hanging 11 goals on Buffalo, paced by Owen Kraft's hat trick and four assists. Dean Stevens followed Kraft's performance with four goals and six points as Minnetonka scored six times in the first and six times in the third en route to a 13-0 win over Minot. First-year phenom Colton Nash has also introduced himself to the Blue Ox with a sparkling two-goal, two-assist outing against the Wolves. 

At this rate, we'll owe some serious money for the electric bill at the CHC. 

Tight games rule the morning 

Although the Bushy rink has seen a boatload of goals, games decided by two or fewer have been the norm among Bantam AA games. 

As of 12:40 PM, three games have been within range of overtime. Prior Lake edged Wayzata 3-1, White Bear Lake held off a late charge from Farmington in the black-and-orange bowl for a 6-5 win, and Grand Forks scored with 3:04 left in regulation to clinch a 4-3 victory over 2024 Bantam AA State runner-up Rosemount. Spring Lake Park/Coon Rapids scored four goals in the last 11:07 of the third period to erase a 5-3 deficit. 

Drama! 

By the Numbers 

2 

Of the eight teams that punched their respective tickets to the quarterfinal round, two do not hail from Minnesota. 

West Fargo scored four goals in the third period to pull away from Blaine, with Iver Bakken leading the way with a hat trick. Grand Forks Aviators Red, one of two Grand Forks Aviators Bantam A teams competing in the tournament, defeated Andover 5-3. Benson Bohm, Jordy Schauer, Jace Kulack, Cayden Yahna, and Sephie Neubert each scored once in the victory. 

4 

Four of the eight opening round games at the Bantam A level were decided by shutout, as the goaltending for Minnetonka, West Fargo, Spring Lake Park/Coon Rapids, and White Bear Lake came through with blank sheets. 

20

Of the 47 goals scored across this morning’s right games, 20 of them came in the third period or overtime/shootout. For those counting at home, that’s a rate of 43 percent of Friday round one goals being scored in the crucial final period. Math.