Top-seeded East Grand Forks advanced to the Class 1A girls’ hockey state championship game Friday, but not before St. Paul United gave the Green Wave a major scare.

St. Paul United led until Mak Langei scored from the point with 5:26 remaining. Alexa Mack notched her second goal of the game less than two minutes later, giving East Grand Forks a 3-2 victory at Xcel Energy Center.

East Grand Forks (26-2-1), which is making its first state tourney appearance, will meet four-time champion Blake on Saturday afternoon.

Earlier this season, St. Paul United, comprised of players who attend Visitation and St. Paul Academy, lost games against Blake by scores of 10-0 and 10-1.

Facing the Green Wave, St. Paul United (17-9-2) jumped to a 2-0 lead less than seven minutes into the game. Both goals came from Alev Baysoy, a Ms. Hockey Finalist who is headed to Princeton.

Mack’s first goal trimmed United’s lead to 2-1 late in the first period, but the Green Wave waited nearly two full periods before getting another puck past St. Paul United goaltender Catherine Johnson.

East Grand Forks outshot United 34-16.

JOE CHRISTENSEN