Peyton Hemp falls as the puck enters the net for her first goal of the game. Hemp's three goals led Andover to a 6-1 win over Grand Rapids/Greenway in the Class 2A, Section 7 final on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine
Peyton Hemp has a simple game plan: Drive the net and get pucks on net.
The Andover senior played it out in the second period when she drove the net while being defended and sent the puck through the goaltender’s legs as Hemp was falling down.
“I was really just trying to get the puck on net and just drive past the defenseman,” Hemp said. “I’m just trying to get shots on net, honestly. It worked out this game.”
Hemp ended up with a hat trick as she helped top-ranked Andover (20-0) to a 6-1 victory over No. 3 seed Grand Rapids/Greenway in the Class 2A, Section 7 championship on Saturday at Andover Community Center.
Photo Gallery: Grand Rapids/Greenway vs. Andover
The Huskies, the defending 2A state champions, set the tone 21 seconds in when sophomore center Ella Boerger scored on the rebound for a 1-0 lead. Her senior linemate Gabby Krause made it 2-0 when the goaltender came out of the net and missed a poke-check.
“This game we really just started fast, got a goal on them right away and just played a complete game,” Hemp said.
After two goals scored 1:33 apart in the second made it 5-0, Grand Rapids/Greenway got a goal back in the third. Then Hemp finished off her second hat trick in as many games. She ranks among state leaders with 33 goals and 75 points.
The Huskies outshot their opponent 50-4, marking the ninth time this season they scored more goals than the number of shots on goal it allowed. Andover has 182 goals and 1,063 shots on goal; it’s allowed 7 goals and 174 shots.
“We just pride ourselves on playing a 200-foot game,” Andover coach Melissa Volk said. “Our forwards, they’re expected to score, but they’re also expected to get back. And we also have great defensemen, great goaltending.”
The Huskies return to state for a fourth consecutive time and sixth overall. The 2A quarterfinals are Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.
The loss for Grand Rapids/Greenway (14-7-0) snaps a five-game winning streak. It was the Lightning’s first section-final appearance since it won the section in 2012.
Lightning coach Brad Hyduke credited Andover’s depth for its solid team game, saying, “There just isn’t a weakness.’’
Ella Boerger (15) watches the puck hit the back of the net, giving Andover a 1-0 lead 21 seconds into the game. The Huskies advance to next week's Class 2A state tournament with a 6-1 win over the Lightning. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine
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