All the practice the Maple Grove boys’ hockey team put into its power play this week looked wasted early in its quarterfinal game Wednesday against Andover.

The Crimson’s first two man-advantage opportunities barely sniffed the Huskies’ goal. In response, players were given a simple, urgent reminder.

Shoot.

And good things started happening when No. 4 seed Maple Grove (21-1) began firing salvos from afar. Three consecutive goals fueled a 5-2 victory at Xcel Energy Center.

“That became our goal later in the first period, to get pucks on net,” senior defenseman Henry Nelson said.

His team ahead 2-1, Nelson doubled the lead when pucks he shot were tipped into the net.

The first one deflected off an Andover defender’s stick and high into the left corner of the net for a power-play goal.

High-flying Maple Grove scored its share of pretty goals in its 5-2 quarterfinal victory, a game that saw the best of a gritty Andover opponent.

No. 4 seed Maple Grove (21-1) bested No. 5 seed Andover (18-3-1). a Northwest Suburban Conference rivals, for the third time in as many meetings this season.

Maple Grove led 2-1 after the first period on two pretty goals Wednesday at Xcel Energy Center. Passes from Josh Giuliani and Ethan Elias, each almost the width of the zone, freed Bennett Glad for a shot and goal that gave Maple Grove a 1-0 advantage.

In response, Andover offered hockey’s version of a boxer going to the body. Gavyn Thoreson battled near the crease and banged home a puck for a power-play goal to even the score.

Ian Barbour returned the favor on a Maple Grove power play. His shot from the high slot sailed clean into the Andover net and the Crimson took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Henry Nelson bumped the Crimson lead to 3-1 on a puck shot from the blue line that deflected off an Andover defender’s stick and high into the left corner of the net.

Moments before Nelson’s power-play goal, Thoreson barely was denied on a shorthanded rush.

Another tipped Nelson shot, this one by teammate Kyle Kukkonen, disappeared into almost the exact spot in the net for a Maple Grove lead 4-1 midway through the second period.

A penalty-filled game provided Andover another power-play chance late in the second period. The Huskies made it count with a Garrett Schifsky goal. Maple Grove led 4-2 at second intermission.

Ian Barbour finished a pass from Grant Zick to make it 5-2 late in the third period.

Check back later for more on the game.