Bengals Take Down Bears

The 2019 Boy's Class AA Hockey Tournament kicked off Thursday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota with Blaine taking on White Bear Lake. The two-seeded Blaine Bengals took a 4-0 lead and didn't look back as they defeated White Bear Lake 4-2.

The Bears and Bengals played back and forth hockey for the first 10 minutes, but it was only a matter of time before Mr. Hockey finalist Bryce Brodzinski jumped on the scoreboard. Brodzinski took a beautiful snap shot from the top left circle to give the Bengals a 1-0 lead late in the first. Blaine would add to their lead in the final minutes of the 1st period. Left all alone in front, Cole Hansen buried a beautiful feed from Carsen Richels past goaltender Evan Foss. 

Hansen picked up right where he left off to begin the second period. He buried a juicy rebound in front of the goal just 37 seconds in to the second. Blaine added another goal to their collection just two minutes later. A nice pass from Cole Hansen bounced off Carsen Richels in front and past the goaltender Foss. 

In need of a surge, White Bear Lake answered 30 seconds later with a goal of their own. Grant Hofeld came in alone on the right side and roofed a snapshot over the glove of Daninger. The Bears received a power play opportunity late in the 2nd period and produced several quality chances, but Daninger stood tall to preserve the Bengals three goal lead.

That lead would diminish late in the period though. Digging in front of the net, Newpower found the loose change and cut the Bears deficit to just 2 after as many periods. White Bear Lake continued to keep up to the Bengals pace, evening the shots at 22 apiece midway through the period. The Bears continue to apply pressure in the third, but it was too little, too late as they Bengals would hang on for the 4-2 win.

Up next: Lakeville South takes on #3 Eden Prairie at 1:45pm.

#1 Edina faces Moorhead at 6pm.

#4 Saint Thomas Academy faces Duluth East at 8pm.