Centennial upset top-seeded Maple Grove 4-1 in the Class 2A, Section 5 final Saturday at Maple Grove Community Ice Arena.
The third-seeded Cougars scored first 2:25 into the game. Megan Goodreau benefited from an open net after a dump-in caromed off Crimson goaltender Brooke Cassibo to the front of the net.
The Crimson tied the score 2:08 later on a rebound by Stella Retrum. She shot the puck into an open net after a shot from the point deflected to her on the back door off the pads of Cougars goaltender Kaitlin Groess.
Lauren O’Hara put the Cougars in front for good by chipping a rebound over Cassibo’s glove with 6:30 left in the first period.
Callie Cody extended the Cougars’ lead to 3-1 with 13 seconds left in the second period.
O’Hara sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 21 seconds left in the game.
Class 2A, Section 3: Josie Ellingson scored two goals and had an assist to lead second-seeded Eastview past visiting fourth-seeded Apple Valley 5-1.
Avery Chesek had a goal and two assists, Chloe Benadum and Lainey Dwinell scored a goal each and Angie Lombardi had 27 saves for the Lightning. Macy Mueller made 42 saves and Faith Dougan scored a goal for the Eagles.
Class 1A, Section 5: Dani Brunette scored 7:48 into overtime to give top-seeded Chisago Lakes a 3-2 victory over visiting third-seeded Orono. Brunette beat Spartans goaltender Celia Dahl with 10 seconds left on a 5-on-3 power play.
Jenna Lawry and Dani Burgen scored in regulation for the Wildcats and Anna Hanson made 23 saves.
Dahl made 29 saves and Grace Bickett and Iyla Ryskamp scored for the Spartans.
STAFF REPORTS
Girls’ hockey state tournament
Class 2A qualifiers: Alexandria, Andover, Centennial, Eastview, Edina, Farmington, Minnetonka, Stillwater
Class 1A qualifiers: Chisago Lakes, Gentry Academy, Luverne, Mound Westonka, Proctor/Hermantown, River Lakes, Rochester Lourdes, Warroad
Where: Xcel Energy Center
Quarterfinals: Friday for Class 1A, Saturday for Class 2A
Semifinals and championships: April 1 and 3