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Class 2A, Section 2 final: Prior Lake clips Chaska to punch program's first state trip

By By Drew Herron, SportsEngine, 03/02/22, 5:15PM CST

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Alex Bump's four goals helped drive the Lakers past the Hawks and into their first ever state tournament.


Prior Lake's Alex Bump gets off a shot against Chaska during Wednesday night’s Class 2A, Section 2 final. Bump scored four goals and added an assist in the Lakers’ 7-4 victory over the Hawks. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

To win big-time games, you need big-time performances from big-time players.

Wednesday night before a packed and buzzing Braemar Arena in the Class 2A, Section 2 final, Prior Lake emphatically delivered that from its top line, a trio that combined for five goals, and another half dozen scoring chances. 

Nobody greater than Alex Bump, the senior forward and Mr. Hockey finalist who is the captain on this Lakers’ team charting a new path to the Class 2A state tournament. 

Prior Lake began playing hockey in 1974-75, but had never won a section, and only twice have they reached a final. Things are different now, as this group of Lakers tore through Class 2A, Section 2, emphasized by a 7-4 victory over Chaska (22-5) where Bump buried four goals and an assist.


Prior Lake's Will Schumacher looks for an open shot against Chaska Wednesday night. Schumacher had two goals and an assist in the Lakers’ 7-4 victory over the Hawks at Braemar Arena. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

First Report

Alex Bump scored four goals and set up another to help lead Prior Lake past Chaska 7-4 in the Class 2A, Section 2 final Wednesday night at Braemar Arena.

Bump, a Mr. Hockey award finalist, needed just nine seconds to put the Lakers out front after burying a top-shelf wrist shot a short time after Prior Lake had won the opening draw and gained the offensive zone. From there, the No. 4-seed Lakers never trailed and weathered third-seeded Chaska’s pushback in the second before pulling away in the third period. 

Bump completed the hat trick with 10:36 left in the third when he skated in on a breakaway, and deftly slipped a well-placed backhand between the pads to set the tone the rest of the way, leaving Chaska to chase. 

In the closing minute, Bump nabbed an empty-netter for his 41st goal of the season and 75th point. 

The Lakers (18-10) qualify for the state tournament for the first time in its history, an existence that dates back nearly 50 years to 1974-75. 

Chaska’s Sam Rinzel finished with a goal and two assists to lead the Hawks (22-5).

The MN Hockey Hub poll is for entertainment purposes only.


Chaska's Sam Rinzel circles behind his own net during the first period of Wednesday night’s Class 2A, Section 2 final matchup against Prior Lake. Rinzel had a goal and two assists in the Hawks’ 7-4 loss to the Lakers. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

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