Double Overtime Thriller as Andover Captures Title

NSO-NEWS RELEASE

Andover and Maple Grove knew each other’s boys’ hockey teams so well, Crimson coach Todd Bergland joked the Class 2A state tournament championship game could be “a fantastic 17-overtime game.”

Bergland’s prediction proved half correct.

These championship game newcomers skated fast, checked hard and traded goals throughout Saturday night’s memorable title game at Xcel Energy Center. Andover emerged with a 6-5 double-overtime victory.

Senior forward Logan Gravink scored at 8:59 of the second overtime period to win the all-important third meeting this season of rising Northwest Suburban Conference powers.

A year ago, Maple Grove fell in overtime of the state tournament semifinals by a 6-5 score.

Giuliani’s hat trick knotted the game at 4-4 in the third period. Giuliani also lit the lamp three times in the semifinals against Prior Lake.

Teammate Chayton Fischer had put No. 3 seed Maple Grove (23-7-1) ahead 5-4 at 10:54 of a wild third period.

Andover’s Gavyn Thoreson made the bonus hockey possible. He redirected a puck with 1:50 remaining in regulation, producing a 5-5 tie and continuing his remarkable state tournament run for No. 5 seed Andover (25-5-1). He scored in overtime to beat Moorhead and tallied two goals against Hill-Murray.

The third period mirrored the first. Goals went both ways and leads changed hands. The second period ranked as equally compelling thanks to swift skating from both teams.

Finn Brink gave Maple Grove a 1-0 lead just 12 seconds into the game. Giuliani produced a two-goal Crimson advantage less than five minutes into the game.

Andover rallied to later tie the game 3-3 as rushing defenseman Weston Knox received a pass from Thoreson in the slot and buried the puck.

Andover won the first game of their conference series 5-3 on Dec. 16. Maple Grove returned the favor with a 4-1 victory Feb. 12.

Saturday’s championship makes Andover hockey the ultimate winter state tournament winner. The girls’ program completed an undefeated season two weeks ago.