Two exciting games in Hastings tonight in the U10A semifinals of the Sugar and Spice tournament. The first game Stillwater and Highland Central was a barn burner and the nightcap had less drama but great effort from both teams.
Game 1: Stillwater

jumped to an early two goal lead in the first 5 minutes. The second goal scored by Lexie Ligday was one of the prettiest goals seen in a long time. Ligday took the puck end to end making beautiful moves through traffic finished off by a nifty move between the goalies’ legs. After that goal Highland really buckled down on defense and hung tough with the Ponies. With Stillwater still carrying the play for most of the first and second period, Highland hung in there. Finally in the third period, Highland scored on a beautiful top shelf goal to make it 2-1. At that point Highland took over and became the aggressor. Despite some odd penalty calls and some bad bounces, Highland could not get the equalizer. When the game seemed to be over with 10 seconds left in the game and the puck in their own zone, Sophia Hoppe got the puck and rushed it end to end for one last rush. She deked and deked and skated and rushed up the ice and with just one second left got a great look at the goal and was denied as time expired. Final score, Stillwater 2…Highland Central 1.

Game 2: Cottage Grove came to play. They scored two goals in the first 50 seconds and really never let Bloomington back in the game. The Breakers had some good chances including a beautiful rush by Madison Dillon in the third period that ended with a shot right off the left post. Cottage Grove scored two in the second and one in the third to turn away the Breakers 6-0. This Cottage Grove team is the whole package – two strong lines and a great goaltender Jocelyn Veary. YHH looks for them to be a strong match to repeat against highly ranked and well coached Stillwater in the finals. Congratulations to Sophia Jamieson from Bloomington who won the Fastest Skater Contest to begin the game.