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One shot leads to three for quick-strike Lakeville South

By DAVID LA VAQUE, Star Tribune, 03/31/21, 2:45PM CDT

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The Cougars, held uncharacteristically scoreless for two periods, scored a trio of goals early in the third en route to a 4-2 victory over Moorhead to advance to the Class 2A semifinals.


Lakeville South goaltender Cody Ticen makes a glove save from a shot by Carson Triggs (16) at close range in the second period. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Unbeaten Lakeville South boys’ hockey players weren’t deterred by a one-goal deficit to plucky Moorhead after two periods.

“We knew we just needed one shot,” Cougars’ coach Janne Kivihalme said.

Even better for the Cougars were three successful shots in a little more than three minutes. The surge put Lakeville South ahead to stay in a 4-2 quarterfinal victory Wednesday at Xcel Energy Center.

The Cougars advance to play Wayzata at 6 p.m. Friday in a Class 2A semifinal. The Trojans gained a bye to the semifinal round when Hill-Murray was forced to withdraw from the state tournament because of a COVID-19 exposure.

Lakeville South sophomore forward Aidan Willis tied the game 1-1 with his third goal of the season. Another sophomore forward, Tanner Ludtke, jammed a rebound home. And then Willis struck again with a shot from the high slot.

“Credit South for their quick-strike ability,” said Moorhead coach Jon Ammerman, whose Spuds (13-8-1) played a near-perfect game through two periods.

A power-play goal from sophomore Harper Bentz in the second period gave Moorhead a 1-0 lead. Through two periods, Spuds senior goaltender Will Kunka stopped all 17 shots faced to stymie No. 3 seed Lakeville South (19-0-2).

“The recipe for winning was there,” Ammerman said.

But the favored Cougars adjusted.

Their improved effort matched senior goalie Cody Ticen’s output. Moorhead outshot South 35-25 but Ticen only allowed one goal until the game’s final 30 seconds.

“He made saves to keep the game close,” Kivihalme said. “Especially in the second period when Moorhead was really outworking us.”

First report

A third-period scoring burst propelled undefeated Lakeville South past upset-minded Moorhead for a 4-2 victory Wednesday in a Class 2A quarterfinal at Xcel Energy Center.

Moorhead (13-8-1) played a near-perfect game through two periods. A power-play goal from sophomore Harper Bentz in the second period gave the Spuds a 1-0 lead. Bentz worked hard just outside the crease and was rewarded with his 14th goal this season.

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