Youth shines through as Edina wins state hockey opener 6-2

With two sophomores and a freshman accounting for all but one of the goals Thursday night, the Edina High boys hockey team opened the State Class AA Tournament with a 6-2 win over Elk River.

A crowd of almost 17,000 filed into Xcel Energy Center to watch the Hornets put on a shooting demonstration with five unanswered goals in the second period. Elk River scored the last two goals of the game to make the final score respectable.

Sophomore Casey Vandertop led the Hornets with a hat trick. Sophomore forward Mason West and freshman forward Freddie Schneider also scored goals. Senior John Halverson put one in the back of the net, as well.

The Hornets, seeded No. 1 in the eight-team draw, improved to 24-4-1 for the season with goaltender Joey Bertram making 12 stops. Edina had 26 shots on net.

In addition to the goal scorers, there were plenty of assists to acknowledge, thanks to Edina’s crisp, accurate passing. Sophomore Caleb Pittsley had two assists to go with one each from Barrett Dexheimer, Jackson Nevers, Bobby Cowan, Ryan Flaherty, Sam Peckham and Schneider.

Edina will play in the state semifinals at 8 p.m. Friday, March 8, at the X. The championship game begins at 7 p.m. Saturday.