Editor's Note: My most sincere apologies to both Edina White and Green parents and friends for our technical difficulties with tonight's broadcast.  We put in a ton of research time and energy to deliver a great broadcast that did not happen. We will broadcast at least one of the Green and one of the White games this season (re-match or Squirtacular).

A great match up of two top ten teams is always fun to watch and cover. It only makes it sweeter when both teams are from the same community and many of the kids have been teammates for years in Edina or the off-season.

Braemar South had it's usual great energy. South is one of the best venues in Minnesota for a youth game (Fans are on top of the players, yet far enough away...and the bonus is the players and coaches are on the opposite side of the rink creating a nice barrier for the team and coaches away from the fans). Both sets of fans brought their A games, they were cheering loud, but still remaining polite to their neighbors.

Both teams had their chances early in the game, but both goalies were equal to the task.  Edina White starter Dominic Cook made a few nice saves, as did Green starter Noah Richards. Jackson Borst for Edina White had the most chances early, but he could not solve Richards, until the 7:50 mark he used his speed to get loose and popped wrist shot over Richards' left should to give White the early lead. Later in the first, the nicest play and probably a turning point in the game, came when Johnny Buenz fired an outlet pass to a streaking Marc Lund down the right wing. Lund used his speed to do the rest burying a pretty shot to give White a 2-0 lead at the end of 1.

Early in the second, Green caught White on a line change which sparked a 2-0 breakaway on Cook.  Gage Reiners gave chase to the loose puck like a hungry dog, skated in and froze his Summer Mate, Cook, long enough before sliding to his Winter Mate Nathan Stone who slid it past Cook to make it 2-1. Now the momentum swung in favor of the Green. The politeness of fans was fading a touch as the game tightened into a classic D6 battle. The next goal would be pivotal. Minutes after the Stone goal, a Green player got called for Holding and White went on the Power Play.  

As good as Squirts can get set up for a Power Play, White did. Eventually with the puck at the point, Jonny Schiefert fired it on net and Marc Lund tipped it past Noah Richards to make it 3-1 and his second goal of the game with five minutes left in the second. 

Late in the second, down 3-1 the Green team started to play with some spirit. With that spirit came mounting pressure on Cook. First year phenom, Nick Mikan got loose and fired a great shot to the far side of Cook. Cook made the pad save, but in doing so created a juicy rebound for the hard charging Drew Hatch, and Hatch put it home to narrow the White lead to 3-2 with just two seconds left in the period. White gave up the dreaded late period goal.  At the Squirt level, late period goals can often lead to a huge turnaround for a trailing team.

After a short intermission the boys strapped it on and played some great hockey in the third. Each team had great chances, but neither could get the important next goal. Halfway through the third, a Green player got sent to the box for Hooking and the White Power Play would try to go two for two on the night. Forty seconds later, Johnny Buenz would get his third point of the night on a rebound off of a Parker Gnos shot from the slot and the White guys had a 4-2 lead with 6:55 to go. 

The Green would mount an attack, but Dominic Cook was solid Monday night for the White turning away the Green and getting help from a crossbar, too.

Thoughts: Jackson Borst showed why many think he is one of the best '03 birthyear players in Minnesota.  Johnny Buenz and Marc Lund had a multiple point nights for the White.  The Green has a crew of stars. "03 Brick superstar Evan Pahos stood out for the Green, as did returners Bisson, Hatch, and Williams.  YHH really liked what we saw of first year players Mark Rahn and Nick Mikan on the Green team. Both teams have a stock pile of great athletes. They should both contend all year.

Hats off to both coaches Mike Wurst and Jason Williams. Both do a really nice job of developing players the last few years.  Edina is really blessed to have guys like Mike and Jason.