Blake forwards Carly Bullock and Karlie Lund have been playing on the same line for the last two seasons, and they kicked off their third year together with a bang.
Lund registered two goals and an assist, while Bullock netted a goal and had an assist as the Bears defeated Lakeville North 3-0 at Ames Arena on Friday.
“There are absolutely phenomenal,” Blake coach Shawn Reid said. “They just have a sick sense of where the other one is. It’s like they have eyes in the back of their heads.”
Bullock, a junior, and Lund, a senior, are from Eden Prairie, and they plan to play together at Princeton after graduating from Blake.
Their chemistry translates away from the rink, as well.
“It’s safe to say we’re best friends off the ice,” Lund said. “It’s just really easy to play with her.”
Bullock describes Lund as an ideal linemate.
“She’s a very smart player,” Bullock said. “She knows when to pass and when to shoot, and I think that’s just one of the best things for a linemate to have.”
The pair have been productive linemates for Blake. Last year, Bullock scored 41 goals and had 14 assists, while Lund recorded 22 goals and 33 assists during the regular season.
The Bears don’t need to worry about having too much star power on one line, Reid said.
“The ‘Carlies’ do get quite a few points with putting the puck in the net, but the other lines also generate a lot of offense as well,” Reid said.
Blake enters the season No. 1 in The Associated Press Class 1A preseason poll, and the Bears return all but three seniors from a team that won the second of back-to-back state titles last season.
Lund said the biggest obstacle for Blake this season is playing consistently as a team.
“The only thing that’s going to hurt us (is) if we start playing selfish,” Lund said. “But with this team, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Lakeville North goalie Abby Cooper stops a Blake shot early in the second period of a 3-0 loss at home. Photo by Rick Orndorf
First Report
Senior forward Karlie Lund recorded two goals and an assist, leading Blake to a 3-0 victory over Lakeville North in the season-opener for both teams Friday at Ames Arena in Lakeville.
Lund tapped home her first goal with 8:24 left in the first period. Junior forward Carly Bullock eared the assist on the goal for the Bears (1-0), ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press Class 1A preseason poll.
Lund returned the favor in the second period, setting up Bullock for a goal with 11 minutes left to play before the second intermission.
Lund scored a power-play goal with 7:10 left in the third period.
The Panthers (0-1), ranked No.6 in Class 2A, registered 19 shots, while Blake tallied 33.
The Bears, the two-time defending Class 1A state champion, take on Cretin-Derham Hall, No. 13-2A, at Highland Ice Arena on Nov. 14. Lakeville North hosts Edina, No. 5-2A, Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Ames Arena.
