Edina coach Curt Giles’ message to his team following a two-goal loss to Grand Rapids on Thursday was constructive after his team outshot the Thunderhawks 50-20.

“(Giles) said we have to bury our chances, get that puck in deep and play physical,” starter Lewis Crosby said.

The Hornets carried his message into the starting face off and wasted little time proving themselves, scoring 26 seconds in, and never backing off as they went on to defeat Elk River 5-0 Friday night in the Edina Holiday Classic at Braemar Arena. 

Crosby knocked a defender off the puck, and himself in the midst of the hit, but managed to swipe it to his linemate, Jett Jungles, who backhanded the game’s first shot past Ben Myers.

Giles said that his teams in the past have a perceived reputation of being soft, but his definition of a tough hockey player is one who goes into the corner with another player and leaves with the puck.

Crosby’s early-play embodied Giles’ model of toughness; a model that Edina, who’s ranked seventh in the Class 2A coaches’ poll, needed when facing the No. 4-2A Elks who were unbeaten and had allowed just three goals in five games.

“Our main message is play physical and fast. It helps get our transition game going,” Crosby said.

The Hornets (4-2) starting line contributed to all five goals as they were able to move the puck with ease and haste between zones.

Garrett Mackay reciprocated his team’s offensive firepower with a stalwart effort in net, stopping all 33 shots he faced in his second career shutout.

“Garrett’s a rock back there. He was lights out, kept us in it while it was 2-0 and we put it away for him,” Crosby said.

Edina next faces Lake Conference rival, No. 1-2A Eden Prairie, in its first of three meetings this season. After piecing together a near flawless game against the Elks (5-1), they’re eager to duplicate Friday’s success in the final game of the tournament Saturday.

“It’s our poster game, we want to play everyday,” Crosby said.

Lewis Crosby tallied three points while linemate Jett Jungels netted two goals to spur Edina to a 5-0 win over Elk River Friday night in the Edina Holiday Classic at Braemer Arena.

Ranked No. 7 in the Class 2A coaches’ poll, the Hornets (4-2) dealt the No. 4-2A Elks their first loss of the season after they had given up just three goals in five games.

Hornets goalie Garrett Mackay stopped 33 shots for his second shutout of the season. Ben Myers made 18 saves for Elk River (5-1).

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