The game of the day was set up two weeks prior when Prior Lake knocked off #1 Osseo Maple Grove in Owatonna sending the Leafbirds into the state tourney as a two seed and a matchup against their good friends #2 Edina. The top two teams...first round game. Two teams with three great lines, speed that kills and skill times 100. OMG set the tone scoring on the first shift, Wiz Wyatt POTY finalist Kyle Kukkonen fed long time line mate Justin Janicke who sauced it past a lunging Eli Andrews to give them a lead they  would not let go. OMG added two more goals in a flash, one by Brock Faber on a one-timer and another by Leafbird spark plug Cade Wessman who beat Andrews five hole.

Edina called timeout and really began to put the pressure back on OMG. From that point on the game was very even...both teams had great chances. Both goalies Andrews and OMG goalie Dale Pfannenstein held their own.The pivotal "next goal" never really came. Edina had a few golden opportunities as did OMG on the power play. With four minutes to go, hard worker Grant Zick got his reward when Wessman found him in front and his slapper found nylon to give the state's #1 team the win. 

Wiz Wyatt POTY finalist Drew Holt had a goal and two assists to lead Eden Prairie to a 5-2 win over Cloquet. The Eagles will face their biggest test of the year when they take on OMG at Noon Saturday. Elk River took out #1 seed from the south region Prior Lake Saturday winning 3-1 in Grand Rapids. Joe "Diesel" Greniuk had the game winner early in the third and Connor Kurth added a late goal to seal the win for the Elks. 

In the night cap, Duluth East got a late goal from Josh Locker to tie the game at 1-1 and then the second year phenom got the game winner late in the first OT to lift the Hounds to state semifinal - a place they haven't been since 2013. Jacob Jeanette ended the game with two assists for the winners. They face Elk River in a section 7AA preview. 

Four great teams Saturday...all with a reddish and blackish tint to their uniforms. Should be a fun day at the IRA, home of the orange and black!

Saturday Picks

Game 1: OMG > EP
Game 2: Elk River > Duluth East

The final four is set in Coleraine. Johnson Como North St. Paul got by pesky Edina 6-5, ironically on a goal by one of their smaller players Leo Gruba. The first year D-Man somehow managed to sneak the puck past Edina goalie Dominic Cook who fought off 37 shots by the larger and more mature Polar Devils. Joey Moberg lead the Devils with a goal and three assists. Edina got a pair of goals by Billy Kozlak and Brady Klemensen.

Trey Ausmus had two goals and Blake Moen pitched in a goal and an assist to lead East Grand Forks to a 7-0 win over Duluth Denfeld...they Green Wave will face JCNSP in a clash of titans on Saturday at high noon. Mound Westonka got production from their two big stars Beau Courneya (2G) and Carter Oftedahl (1G/1A) and were able to hold off Mankato's big guns Jacob Kanzenbach (1G) and Layten Liffrig (1G) just enough to win 3-2. 

Alexandria held off North Branch 6-5 Friday (no scoresheet...please submit to yhhtourneys@gmail.com). The Cards qualify for the semifinals for the second straight year. Last year they fell to eventual champion St. Paul - Saturday they face Mound Westonka, the state's #1 rated team. 

Saturday Picks

Game 1: JCNSP > East Grand Forks
Game 2: Mound Westonka > Alexandria

#2 OMG Black wins biggest game of the tourney outlasting #1 Edina White 2-1 in a matchup of the top two teams in the state. The win paves the way for the Leafbirds to take on unknown commodity Hallock on Saturday morning in the semifinals. The Bearcats beat Elk River 7-0, two Hallock skaters Calvin Hanson and Tyler Bakken each recorded Hatties. The Bearcats are undefeated, but have only defeated one non-northern opponent and that was St. Cloud in regions. Will they be up for the test against the state's best team? YHH projected Hallock as the top team in the state coming into the season, can they win it all?

Edina Green cruised in their battle with Park Cottage Grove 8-2. In the night cap, Champlin Park took out Morris Benson 4-3, Ryker Grant and Drake Peterson each had a goal and an assist. The Rebels quietly finds themselves a game away from the state final. They face Edina Green at Saturday afternoon.

Saturday Picks

Game 1: OMG Black > Hallock
Game 2: Edina Green > Champlin Park