Sports Recap: Blaine, Spring Lake Park And Andover Hockey Open Playoffs With Wins; SLP Hoops Knocks Off No. 2

Eighth-seeded Blaine boys hockey topped ninth-seeded Irondale 3-1 in the first round of the Section 5AA tournament Feb. 20. Gavin George and Hudson Bethel gave the Bengals a 2-0 lead in the first period, a margin that would remain into the third. Irondale closed within a goal two minutes into the final period, but Blaine went back ahead by two goals on a Nate Wallraff score midway through the third, maintaining the lead the rest of the way. Landon Palmgren recorded 21 saves, as Blaine advanced to face top-seeded Maple Grove in the quarterfinals Feb. 22.

Following a scoreless first period, seventh-seeded Spring Lake Park struck twice in the second period, then five times in the third to defeat 10th-seeded Osseo 7-1 in the Section 5AA quarterfinals Feb. 20. Drew Lindquist scored four goals for the Panthers, with one each by Dylan Stocke, Joseph Shipman and Brody Herzog. Brock Lueck made 33 saves, as SLP advanced to face second-seeded Centennial in the quarterfinals Feb. 22.

SOURCE: Hometown Source