Eden Prairie defenseman Luc Snuggerud, already playing with a broken hand, left with excruciating cramps. Fellow Mr. Hockey finalist Steven Spinner blocked a shot in the neck and was having trouble moving his head.

The injury front wasn't much better on Lakeville North’s front line. Tristen Hazlett exited and did not return. Jack McNeely also was dinged up at the end.

“You guys watched it, for both sides, it kind of turned into a M.A.S.H. unit out there late,” said Lakeville North coach Trent Eigner after second-seeded Lakeville North outlasted No. 3 seed Eden Prairie 5-4 in double overtime Friday in the semifinals of the Class 2A boys' hockey state tournament at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

“Guys are just going as hard as they can and running out of gas. Pushing and pushing and pushing.”

Nick Poehling’s power-play goal at 8:26 of the second overtime allowed the Panthers (24-4-1) to topple the Eagles (18-8-3) and reach the state championship game for the first time in the program’s history.

Poehling raced to a deflected puck in the slot and whipped a shot into an open net as Jake Gerdes was unable to slide to his right in time to get to the left post.

Eden Prairie built a 4-2 lead in the second period on a Michael Parrish goal.

Undaunted, No. 2 seed Lakeville North roared back for two goals in the final two minutes of the period. Tristen Hazlett and Nick Poehling each found the back of the net to send the game in the second intermission tied 4-4.

The second period continued the game’s torrid pace. The teams combined for five goals on just 10 shots in the first period.

Jack Sadek staked Lakeville North to a 1-0 lead. But Steven Spinner tied it 1-1 for Eden Prairie. When Angelo Altavilla restored a 2-1 Panthers’ lead, Spinner answered to tie it 2-2.

Jack Claeys scored next, giving Eden Prairie a 3-2 lead after the first intermission.

First report

Nick Poehling’s power-play goal at 8:26 of the second overtime allowed Lakeville North to outlast Eden Prairie in a 5-4 victory in Friday evening’s Class 2A semifinal at the Xcel Energy Center.

No. 3 seed Eden Prairie built a 4-2 lead in the second period on a Michael Parrish goal. Undaunted, No. 2 seed Lakeville North roared back for two goals in the final two minutes of the period. Tristen Hazlett and Nick Poehling each found the back of the net to send the game in the second intermission tied 4-4.

The second period continued the game’s torrid pace. The teams combined for five goals on just 10 shots in the first period. Jack Sadek staked Lakeville North to a 1-0 lead. But Steven Spinner tied it 1-1 for Eden Prairie. When Angelo Altavilla restored a 2-1 Panthers’ lead, Spinner answered to tie it 2-2.

Jack Claeys scored next, giving Eden Prairie a 3-2 lead after the first intermission.


Photo gallery: Lakeville North outlasts Eden Prairie in 2 OTs


Postgame Press Conference: Lakeville North 5, Eden Prairie 4