BLOOMINGTON-Brainerd moved one step closer to making it three straight.
Brainerd's Tre'Von Otey netted five goals with three assists for the North No. 1 seeded Warriors as they defeated the Minneapolis South Tigers 17-2 in the state quarterfinals Friday, March. 15 at Bloomington Jefferson High School.
"Otey has been working hard in practice and has really come along this season." Brainerd head coach Todd Person said. "It was great to see him doing what he needed to do and finding the back of the net."
Blaise Edinger and Kadyn Robinson pulled their weight with three goals each to help improve the Warriors to 11-0 on the season and increase their winning streak to 42 straight games.
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Warriors only senior, Brach Delcastillo, tallied one assist in his final state tournament.
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Warriors 17, Minneapolis South 2
- Key: Brainerd peppers Minneapolis South with 35 shots and 17 goals
- Overall: Brd 11-0, MS 3-4
- Next: Brainerd vs. Dakota United in the state semifinal at Bloomington Jefferson High School 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16
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The Warriors are two-time defending state champions and have remained undefeated the last three seasons.
From the moment the clock started, the Warriors maintained their offensive possession for the majority of the game recording 35 shots on goal.
"Our players do a wonderful job of moving the puck around the floor, which created many opportunities to score." Person said
Warrior goalie, Tate Boelter held the Tigers to two goals and saved 15 shots.
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Minneapolis South's Juan Tirado posed the biggest offensive threat for the Warriors, Tirado shot 13 of the Tigers 17 shots.
"In the first period, we struggled getting back on defense." said Person, "I think we really maintained our composure and fixed that in the second period."
At the end of the first period, the Warriors led 8-1, which gave many of the reserves an opportunity to shine.
Sierra Hartung and Karlee Schuler, the only girls on the team, came off the bench and scored back-to-back goals in the second period for the Warriors.
"I'm hoping that tomorrow we will be able to continue to move the puck around and find those open shots." said Person.
The Warriors advance to the semifinal round against Dakota United 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16 at Jefferson High School.
Brainerd defeated Dakota United 9-3 Jan. 4 at the Rochester Tournament.
Seven different Warriors scored goals Friday. Spencer Thompson tallied twice in the third period. Alex Goedker scored twice as did Kadyn Robinson.
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"Our starting group really came out strong and gave us the lead we needed in order to give them a rest." said Person, "We are going to need to go hard tomorrow." Person said.
Maddox Canon scored once and added an assist. Brainerd's leading scorer Matt Allord finished with three assists.
Brainerd 8 5 4-17
Minneapolis South 1 1 0-2
First period: Brd- Tre'Von Otey (Maddox Canon), Brd-Otey, Brd-Otey (Matt Allord), Brd-Kadyn Robinson (Canon), Brd-Blaise Edinger (Otey), MS-Juan Tirado, Brd-Otey, Brd-Blaise Edinger (Allord, Otey), Brd-Kadyn Robinson
Second period: Brd-Blaise Edinger (Tre'Von Otey, Matt Allord), Brd-Kadyn Robinson (Alex Goedker), Brd- Alex Goedker (Sierra Hartung), MS-Charlie Barnes, Brd-Sierra Hartung, Brd-Karlee Schueler
Third period: Brd-Alex Goedker (Spencer Thompson), Brd-Spencer Thompson (Brach Delcastillo, Kadyn Robinson), Brd-Spencer Thompson (Matt Allord), Brd-Maddox Canon
Shots on goal: Brd 35, MS 17
Goalies: Brd-Tate Boelter (15 saves); MS-Zander Dipaola (18 saves)
