Andover forward Sara Kaiser (3) tried to deflect an incoming puck while positioned in front of Eastview Lightning goaltender Angie Lombardi in the second period. Photo: JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com
Andover girls’ hockey coach Melissa Volk made a rare demand of her players, holding a two-goal lead after two periods, to dig deeper.
“We needed a little gut check,” said Volk, less concerned with scoring numbers than player effort, though aware the two are typically related.
Andover responded with a defending state champion’s pride, pulling away from Eastview in a 7-0 victory on Thursday in a Class 2A semifinal.
The Huskies earned a championship game rematch with Edina. The two undefeated powers faceoff at 1 p.m. Saturday at Xcel Energy Center. The game features a combined 16 players committed to Division I hockey programs.
“We’ve been excited about playing this game since last year,” Volk said. “It’s finally here.”
Eastview goalie Angie Lombardi did her best to spoil the party. Andover (22-0) outshot the Lightning (16-5-2) by a 37-9 margin through two periods but led only 2-0.
Goals from Madelynn Jurgensen, her 14th of the season, and Madison Brown (18th) built the lead.
Defending state tournament champion Andover posted a 7-0 victory Thursday against Eastview and earned another meeting with Edina in the Class 2A state championship game.
The two undefeated powers faceoff at 1 p.m. Saturday at Xcel Energy Center.
Goals from Madelynn Jurgensen, her 14th of the season, and Madison Brown (18th) built a 2-0 lead after two periods.
Madison Clough blasted her 10th goal of the season into the net for a 3-0 Andover lead. Peyton Hemp assisted on the goal, giving her a school record 45 assists this season. And then Hemp, the Class 2A leader in points, scored a goal of her own for a 4-0 Andover lead.
The Huskies outshot the Lightning 47-11. Sophomore goaltender Courtney Stagman earned her 10th shutout of the season.
Andover (22-0) has now outscored its opponents 193-7 this season.
Check back later for more on the game.