When the state’s #2-ranked Edina Bantam AA team faced off against #1-ranked Wayzata in the championship finale of the White Bear Lake Moose Goheen Invitational, those in attendance knew this game had the makings of a real barnburner. That came to fruition, as the Hornets edged the Trojans 3-2 in a game that featured highly skilled, if at times feisty, play.

The first period ended in a scoreless tie, with both teams playing efficient, well-disciplined hockey. The stalemate was broken early in the second period after Edina’s Kieffer Bellows rifled one off the crossbar past the Wayzata goalie. Minutes later, Garrett Wait added another goal after deflecting a short angle shot from Casey Dornbach.

Up 2-0 after two periods, the Hornets weren’t content to coast, but rather continued to attack the Wayzata net in the third period. Forward Grant Mismash found the puck on his stick off a rebound and lifted it high over the Trojan net minder to take a commanding 3-0 lead.

But play tightened up at that point. Wayzata took advantage of a failed clearing attempt, fired the puck on net and chipped in a wide-open rebound, spoiling Edina goaltender Charlie deGrood’s hopes of a shutout. A minute later, buoyed by that goal and Bellows in the box for a coincidental minor penalty, Wayzata struck again to put them within a goal with four minutes left.

Edina’s defense, led by Ryan Zuhlsdorf, Noah Ostlie, Jack Stanchfield, Mac Hankinson, Ryan Spades and Calvin Pugh played solidly, containing the Trojans in the neutral zone and spoiling the home team’s chances of completing the comeback.

Despite the close score, the Hornets outshot Wayzata by a 2 to 1 margin. This marks the third tournament title for Edina, who earlier this season captured the Spirit of Duluth and Edina Invitational championships. It also improves the Hornets record to 39-5-3 with just two league games remaining before the district playoffs.