Maple Grove offset its losses in perfection and status two weeks ago with insight gained for the season’s most meaningful games.

Senior defenseman Henry Nelson’s goal just 53 seconds into the Class 2A, Section 5 championship game Thursday ignited the second-ranked Crimson.
A trio of first-period goals started what became a 7-0 victory against Centennial.

“That was our game plan — jump on them early,” Nelson said. “If we start slow, that’s not our game. We have to start fast.”

Nelson and his teammates made that analysis after a 4-3 loss to Lakeville South on March 9 bounced the Crimson from the state’s undefeated ranks and the top spot in the rankings.

“That loss was good for us,” Nelson said. “We got the jump back in our step.”

A refocused Maple Grove team has averaged 11.2 goals in five ensuing games. Thursday’s victory earned the Crimson (20-1) the final spot in the state tournament.

Maple Grove became the final entrant in the Class 2A boys’ hockey state tournament with its 7-0 victory Thursday in the Section 5 championship game.

No. 2-ranked Maple Grove (20-1) got started early on senior defenseman Henry Nelson’s goal just 53 seconds into the game. Two additional goals made the score 3-0 at first intermission.

That marked improvement for No. 15 Centennial (15-5-1). In two previous losses to the Crimson this season, the Cougars trailed by scores of 4-0 and 5-0 after one period.

Centennial created a few good scoring chances in the first period but could not capitalize. Maple Grove, meanwhile, maintained steady pressure.

Nelson’s second goal and a shorthanded finish by senior center Kyle Kukkonen gave the Crimson a 5-0 lead after two periods at the Maple Grove Community Center. Kukkonen and Sam Jacobs put on a passing clinic on their way to the Centennial net.

Maple Grove goaltender Jack Wieneke posted a 21 save shutout.

Centennial’s five losses this season came against Centennial and Andover, the two Northwest Suburban Conference teams in the Class 2A state tournament.

Moorhead also won Thursday night in Section 8 in a game that started an hour before Maple Grove and Centennial hit the ice.

Returning to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul gives the Crimson a chance to improve on last season’s first-round loss.

The state tournament will be seeded Friday morning. The top five seeds are chosen by coaches’ electronic votes. The remaining three teams are placed by blind draw.

Check back later for more on the game.