Anoka borders Blaine, or if you live in Anoka, Blaine borders Anoka.  These two cities are paired against each in every sport. I'm sure there are tee ball games pitting Anoka v. Blaine.  Over time, the rivalry between the two programs has grown into one of the state's finest.  Anoka use to be the best program in the District, winning several district championships and qualifying for state high school tournaments throughout the 80's and 90's. Within the last ten years, Blaine has taken a firm hold on hockey dominance. But like any good rivlary, the record books get thrown out when these two teams get together.  Especially in Bantam AA where the physical play can really make a difference. 

Blaine got off a fast start, moving their feet and beating Anoka to loose pucks. They pressured the Tornadoes with both their speed and their toughness, delivering punishing checks, especially in the Anoka end. The physical play ignited both sets of fans to cheer on their teams.  The first cheers came late in the first when Soren Frakie fired a puck from behind the goal line that caught Anoka Goalie Brendan Corbin's skate and went in.  After 1, the Bengals lead 1-0.

In the second period, the ice began to shift in favor of Blaine.  Early in the second, Blaine's Jordan Sinner committed no sin when he hammered home a a rebound to give the Bengals a 2-0 lead.  But wait.  The officials conferred for a minute bofore allowing the goals. At this point, the Bengals began to smell blood..they began to attack.  Soon after, Blaine's Blake Nastrom would score short handed on a pretty backhander top shelf to make it 3-0 halfway through the game.  

At this point, the ice began to really started to tilt in Blaine's favor.  But soon the moment would change. Anoka's Brendan Corbin would make a save for the ages, diving literally like a soccer goalie to stop a Blaine back door goal attempt from the near slot.  To this point, Corbin had played a really good game, this save made his performance a great one. At the end of two, Anoka was still in it.  Because of the play of their Goalie, the still had a glimmer of hope. 

Early in the third, Blaine's Nastrom would add his second goal, this time on a feed from Blaine worker-bee Steven West to make it 4-0.  At 4-0, most teams say die. But not the Tornadoes, they kept plugging.  A couple minutes later, the tide (or should I say winds) turned in Anoka's favor.  About a minute after Blaine made is 4-0, Anoka's Zack Zborowski scored on a pass from Isaac Johnson to make it 4-1 to give the Tornadoes a lift. And, then a couple minutes later, Johnson scored on an assist from Zborowski to make it 4-2.  The momentum was now fully in Anoka's favor.  

At the 4:45 mark of the third, Blaine's Nathan Olson got called for high sticking. Anoka had the momentum and a power play. The Tornadoes had their chances, but Bryce Crowley came up big to preserve the 4-2 and stave off the Anoka power play.  But Anoka would keep crashing the Blaine party. With just over a minute to go, Hunter Wanous would score on a helper from Zborowski to cut the Blaine lead to 4-3. 

Anoka would pull Corbin and begin to add pressure, but Steven West got the empty net goal from just inside the Anoka blue line to ice it.

Final shots: Blaine 24, Anoka 26

Scoring Leaders:

Blaine - Blake Nastrom 2G, and Steve West 1G, 1A
Anoka - Zack Zborowski 1G, 2A and Isaac Johnson 1G, 1A

Play of the Game: Corbin save in second period

Light Moment: Blaine teenage fans after Anoka penalty, "You Can't Do That."