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Last year's runner-up Edina gets back to 2A championship game

By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune , 04/01/21, 8:00PM CDT

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Jane Kuehl scored the Hornets' first two goals en route to a 4-0 victory over Minnetonka.


Edina players celebrated after scoring a goal against Minnetonka and goaltender Brynn DuLac in the second period. Photo: Jeff Wheeler * jeff.wheeler@startribune.com

Three meetings this season with Lake Conference rival Minnetonka each ended with Edina victories. But the Hornets’ sustained dominance Thursday throughout their Class 2A state tournament semifinal was different.

“That was a full 51 minutes,” Edina coach Sami Reber said. “We worked too hard all season to come out and lay an egg against them.”

A complete 4-0 victory assured the Hornets’ place in Saturday’s championship game. Edina (21-0), runner-up last year after winning three consecutive titles, controlled play at both ends of the Xcel Energy Center ice.

Junior forward Jane Kuehl posted her first two-goal game this season, giving her team a 2-0 lead in the second period.

The Hornets did not play in the quarterfinals March 27 when scheduled opponent Centennial bowed out because of a positive COVID-19 test. But Edina’s stable of skilled players looked unfazed by a 12-day layoff between games.

“I could tell from the way we practiced, our girls were champing at the bit to play,” Reber said.

First report

Edina reserved its place in the Class 2A state tournament game with a commanding 4-0 victory Thursday against Minnetonka.

The Hornets (21-0), runner-up last year after winning three consecutive titles, controlled play at both ends of the Xcel Energy Center ice.

In the first period, Jane Kuehl tipped and redirected a puck shot by Vivian Jungels for a 1-0 lead.

Kuehl struck again in the second period, scoring on backhand feed from Hannah Halverson.

The Hornets did not play in the quarterfinals on March 27 when scheduled opponent Centennial bowed out because of a positive COVID-19 test. But Edina’s stable of skilled players looked unfazed by a 12-day layoff between games.

Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year Emma Conner reached behind her to snare a pass from Hannah Chorske and sweep the puck past goalie Brynn DuLac for a 3-0 lead at second intermission.

Chorske provided another scoring chance in the third period with a backhand pass out of a battle with two defenders behind the Minnetonka net. Conner took it from there, shooting the puck over DuLac’s glove.

Meanwhile, Edina goalie Uma Corniea denied all 15 shots she faced for the shutout victory.

Edina defeated Lake Conference rival Minnetonka (16-4-3) in two previous meetings this season on final scores of 3-2 and 3-0.

Check back later for more on the game.

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