Lakeville North stayed in step on its march toward perfection, beating Eden Prairie 6-2 in Friday’s second Class 2A semifinal.

Putting the Eagles away, however, was less than a perfect process.

The No. 1 seed Panthers (30-0) struggled with puck possession and got just enough offense through two periods.

“We were more than a little concerned,” Panthers coach Trent Eigner said. “It was a disjointed effort at best.”

The confidence Lakeville North built winning every game all season never disappeared. The reward is advancing to play underdog Duluth East in the championship game at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Lakeville North aims to become the first large-class school to finish with a perfect season since Bloomington Jefferson in 1992-93.

For the second time in as many games, the Panthers rallied after tough calls by officials. A missed offside penalty Thursday led to Jack Poehling’s charge to the net and a backhand goal.

On Friday, the Panthers got fired up as a hit from behind sent a teammate into the boards. Officials called a minor holding penalty on No. 5 seed Eden Prairie (19-10).

“When something bad happens, we try to act like brothers and do it for the guy next to us,” Max Johnson said.

Johnson exacted revenge, drawing a bead on a long rebound and burying it at 5:03 of the third period for a 3-2 Lakeville North lead.

From there, the Poehling twins, leading scorers Nick and Jack, found their form after being held quiet long into Friday’s game. Their passes set the table for a goal from sophomore forward Chaz Dufon and a 4-2 lead.

Goalie Ryan Edquist protected the advantage, stopping Eden Prairie’s Michael Graham in alone then denying a rebound try.

“I saw him coming and I was just lucky to get down and stop the shots,” Edquist said.

First Report

Lakeville North stayed in step on its march toward perfection, beating Eden Prairie 6-2 in Friday’s second semifinal.

The No. 1 seed Panthers (30-0) advance to play underdog Duluth East in the championship game at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Lakeville North aims to become the first large-class school to finish with a perfect season since Bloomington Jefferson in 1992-93.

Stars and less-heralded contributors all made plays to beat No. 5 seed Eden Prairie (19-10).

Lakeville North took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission on sophomore forward Henry Enebak’s 23rd goal this season.

The lead didn’t last long. Eden Prairie senior defenseman Andy Aguilar tied the game 1-1 just 23 seconds into the second period. The captain scored for just his second time all season.

Aguilar later took an interference penalty and the Panthers’ pounced with the man advantage. Senior defenseman Jack Sadek, who signed with the Gophers, blasted a shot off goalie Shaun Durocher for a 2-1 Lakeville North lead. Sadek has seven goals this season.

Eden Prairie answered on a power play of its own as sophomore defenseman Nicky Leivermann sped into the zone then sent a puck high over Ryan Edquist on the far side. The goal, Leivermann’s seventh this season, tied the game 2-2 at the second intermission.

Max Johnson drew a bead on a long rebound and buried it at 5:03 of the third period for a 3-2 Lakeville North lead.

The Poehling line of brothers Nick, Jack and Ryan, contributed two goals in the quarterfinals but were quiet long into Friday’s game.

Then passes from Jack and Nick Poehling set the table for a goal from sophomore forward Chaz Dufon. His fifth goal this season made the lead 4-2 at 7:52 of the third period.

Goalie Ryan Edquist protected the lead, stopping Eden Prairie’s Michael Graham in alone then denying a rebound try.


Photo gallery: Lakeville North 6, Eden Prairie 2