Blake Wins 7th Title

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

The Blake School is in seventh heaven after seeing its recent dominance of Class A in Minnesota girls hockey continue.

The Bears cruised to a 6-2 victory over St. Paul United on Saturday night in the Class A championship game to capture their state-record seventh crown. Five unanswered goals over the first and second periods gave the Bears their fourth consecutive victory over United in the past year and the Class A championship for the fourth time in the past five seasons.

In addition to Blake’s 8-0 victory over St. Paul United in last season’s Class A championship game, the Bears also defeated United twice during play in the Independent Metro Athletic Conference. Blake defeated St. Paul United 3-0 on Jan. 3, and then 4-1 two weeks later.

The rematch didn’t go any better for United.

The Bears (27-2-1) gained the separation they were looking for with a three-goal second period that turned a tight 2-1 lead into a commanding 5-1 advantage with one period to play. Freshman forward Grace Johnson, freshman forward Audrey Wethington and sophomore forward Izzy Daniel each scored in the decisive second period.

Senior forward Joie Phelps and junior forward Samantha Burke had goals for United (21-7-2).

Blake can stake claim to being the best girls hockey team in Minnesota during the 2016-17 season, regardless of classification. Included in the Bears’ championship season are victories over Blaine (3-1) and Edina (2-1). Those schools were playing for the Class AA championship.

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