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GHS: Blake Slips Past Edina 2-1

By Peter Odney , 01/18/19, 9:45PM CST

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The Bears took down the Hornets at Braemar Ice Arena, avenging a November loss and scoring a key win over their Section 6-2A rival.


Blake's Sam Broz (21) scores the first goal of the game for the Bears. The eighth-grader has now scored four goals this season.

Christie's 20 Saves, Blocked Shots Key In Victory

As an eighth-grader skating for one of the top girls’ hockey programs in the state if not the country, Sam Broz’s thought process in the last 90 seconds of Friday night’s game was simple. 

“Don’t mess up,” Broz said with a grin. “Get the puck out, get it deep.”

Broz tied Friday’s score at 1-1 as Blake, ranked No. 3 in Class 2A in the Youth Hockey Hub Staff Rankings, defeated Section 6-2A rival Edina 2-1 at Braemar Ice Arena. The goal, which Broz tapped in off a backdoor feed from Ellie Morrison, was her third of the season. Her contributions on the defensive end of the ice were just as valuable as her offensive output, as she and the rest of the Bears (18-2) blocked an impressive number of shots. 

“A few days ago we spent at least fifteen minutes (of practice) just blocking shots,” Broz said. “We were using pucks and tennis balls and stick-handling balls,” Broz continued. “I was kind of scared then, but it obviously paid off in the game.”

Blake head coach Shawn Reid said he was pleased with the way his team sacrificed physically to block those shots, holding the powerful Hornet squad to just 21 total. The Hornets entered Friday’s game averaging 35 shots per game. 

“I just told them (that) I think we blocked more shots tonight than we have all year,” Reid said, jokingly suggesting that the total was approximately 37, and adding that his team’s ability to keep their composure while killing penalties was another highlight. 

“We did a good job of not panicking,” Reid said. “It’s easy when you take a penalty to start complaining, slamming your stick, blaming people, all that stuff,” Reid continued. “We just said alright, we have to go kill it.”

The Bears killed five of six Hornet power-plays over the course of the evening and played solid defense despite being without sophomore Georgia Pettygrove and senior Grace Vojta on defense due to injury. Vojta’s absence could have been (and could still be) particularly troublesome as a critical member of Blake’s special teams, and as an overall talented player. Vojta is committed to Yale, and is a six-year varsity veteran. 

“Losing Grace all year is a big hole, but the girls have really stepped up,” Reid said, noting that sophomore forward Bailey Abraham lined up at defense tonight with just four periods playing the position under her belt. “People are just stepping up and taking on different roles and doing a great job.”


CC Bowlby scored the lone goal of the game for the Hornets.

The Bears took a 2-1 lead early in the second period on a goal by Minnesota commit Adelaide Burton, her 19th of the season. The goal was awarded after a brief deliberation by the officials and turned out to be the game-winning tally. CC Bowlby scored the lone goal of the evening for the No. 4-2A Hornets (17-4) just two minutes into the first period. 

Edina dominated possession in the third period and especially in the later stages of the game, helping keep Blake goaltender Ava Christie engaged despite the junior only seeing two Hornet shots on goal. 

“You just have to stay focused throughout the whole game even if you’re not facing shots,” Christie said. “You have to be in the moment because you never know when a play is going to come.” 

Christie has taken over the bulk of the goaltending duties after fellow netminder Molly Haag sustained an injury that has caused her to miss extended time, and her cool-headed play has earned the praise of Reid. 

“Ava has been great,” Reid said of Christie. “She doesn’t get too fired up, and she doesn’t get too down. She just goes about her business and plays really well." 


Ava Christie makes one of her 20 saves in Blake's 2-1 win over Edina on Friday night.

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