In a game closer than hockey observers might have expected, defending state champion and No. 1 seed Blake pulled away from Alexandria in a 3-0 victory in the Class 1A state tournament quarterfinals.
The teams were tied 0-0 after one period and through much of the second. Madeline Wethington scored late in the second period for the Bears (25-2-1). Teammates Sara McClanahan and Lucy Burton added third period goals.
Alexandria (14-13-1) goaltender Sarah Finley kept her team in a game in which the Bears held a 43-20 advantage in shots on goal. Anna Kruesel got the shutout for Blake.
Check back later for more on the game.