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Hughes, Linser team up to lead Centennial past Blaine

By JACK WHITE, Star Tribune , 02/16/18, 8:45PM CST

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The Cougars, 3-0 victors in the Class 2A,Section 5 title game, advance to next week's state tournament.


Centennial senior Anneke Linser fires a shot on net against Blaine Friday night in Roseville. Linser scored early in the first period and added an assist later in the game. The Cougars defeated the Bengals 3-0. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine


Centennial's Gabbie Hughes works to get around a Blaine defender Friday night in the Class 2A, Section 5 Championship. Hughes had 2 goals and an assist in the Cougars' 3-0 victory over the Bengals. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Centennial’s Gabbie Hughes and Anneke Linser made for a good pair Friday.

The duo, who have both committed to Minnesota Duluth, combined for three goals as Centennial defeated Blaine 3-0 at Roseville Ice Arena to win the Class 2A, Section 5 championship.

“It feels amazing. It’s something that we always wanted,” Linser said of going to state. “This is the best feeling ever.”

Hughes scored two third-period goals, with Linser assisting on one. Linser had given them a 1-0 lead in the first period off an assist by Hughes. Hughes said she and Linser have good chemistry right now.

“We’re working hard and harder with each other. Communication is key,” Hughes said.

Blaine had chances in the second period during a scrum in front of the Cougars’ net but could not score. Linser was called for tripping shortly after, but Centennial killed the penalty.

Blaine, the No. 3 seed in the bracket, held its first two section opponents to one goal each. No. 1 Centennial earned a first-round bye. Then, the Cougars defeated Rogers 5-1 to reach the section final against Blaine.

Centennial (23-3-1) twice defeated the Bengals (19-7-2) in the regular season. The Cougars will play next Thursday in the Class 2A state tournament at Xcel Energy Center.

“This is everything we wanted since I took over as head coach five years ago,” Cougars coach Kristina King said. “It’s been on the kids’ bucket list, their dreams, and they’ve worked so hard.”

Jack White is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.

First report

Centennial defeated Blaine 3-0 on Friday at Roseville Ice Arena to win the Class 2A, Section 5 championship.

The Cougars got two goals from Gabbie Hughes in the third period after Anneke Linser gave them a 1-0 lead in the first period off an assist by Hughes.

Centennial (23-3-1) twice defeated the Bengals (19-7-2) in the regular season. The Cougars will play next Thursday in the Class 2A state tournament at Xcel Energy Center.

Check back later for more on the game.

Blaine senior Megan McKenzie carries the puck into the offensive zone Friday night against Centennial. The Bengals fell to the Cougars 3-0 in the Class 2A, Section 5 final. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Blaine senior Megan McKenzie carries the puck into the offensive zone Friday night against Centennial. The Bengals fell to the Cougars 3-0 in the Class 2A, Section 5 final. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

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