Blake coach Shawn Reid hadn’t forgotten how the Bears opened the Class 1A state tournament last season, when they edged Alexandria in the quarterfinals by a single goal. “We had a very challenging first game last year,’’ Reid said. “We wanted to make sure we started off on the right foot this year.’’

His team clearly listened, as it raced past Hutchinson 9-0 in Wednesday’s quarterfinal game at Xcel Energy Center.

The two-time defending Class 1A champion Bears (25-4-0) complemented their offensive firepower with equally strong defense, holding Hutchinson (16-11-1) without a shot on goal in the second or third periods. Blake goaltender Anna Kruesel set a state tournament record for fewest saves in a game (three) and tied the record for fewest in a period (0).

The Bears got a hat trick from Karlie Lund, and Carly Bullock contributed two goals and three assists. Blake outshot Hutchinson 42-3, including a 23-0 margin in the final two periods.

Hutchinson had only two shots in the final two periods as Blake used its superior speed and play-making to control the game. The Bears led 3-0 after the first period and added five more goals in the second, with three of those scored in the final two minutes, 33 seconds of the period.

“The score today, we didn’t anticipate by any means,’’ Reid said. “It’s a good testament to our girls. They were ready and played very well.’’

Two-time defending Class 1A champions Blake opened the state tournament in grand style, overpowering Hutchinson 9-0 in Wednesday’s first quarterfinal at Xcel Energy Center.

The Bears (25-4-0) used their superior speed, passing and playmaking to race to a 3-0 lead after one period and an 8-0 lead after two, while their defense held Hutchinson (16-11-1) without a shot in the second and third periods. Blake will play the winner of Wednesday’s second game between Alexandria and Red Wing in the semifinals at 11 a.m. Friday.

Karlie Lund recorded a hat trick for Blake, and leading scorer Carly Bullock finished with two goals and three assists. Bullock has 48 goals this season. Blake outshot Hutchinson 42-3.

Lucy Burton opened the scoring by tucking in a rebound at one minute, five seconds of the first period. While Hutchinson could not muster a shot on goal until more than five minutes into the game, Blake got a shorthanded goal from Bullock at 10:56 as she split the defense and beat goalie Ellie Lenarz with a backhander, and Bullock set up Lund with a nice pass for another goal at 13:17.

Most of the second period was played in the Hutchinson end as the Bears ran up a 36-3 advantage in shots on goal. Blake goalie Anna Kruesel didn’t see a shot in the period, while her teammates recorded 17 and scored on five.

Bullock extended the lead to 4-0 on a power-play goal at 7:24, while Lund scored consecutive goals to complete the hat trick. Grace Vojta and Madeline Wethington scored power-play goals after Hutchinson’s Greta Schierman took a five-minute major penalty for boarding.