ST. PAUL-Unbeaten and third-seeded Mound Westonka fired a tournament record 73 shots on goal and advanced to the Class 1-A semifinals with a 4-2 victory over Mankato East in Wednesday's quarterfinals at the Xcel Energy Center.
Mound Westonka dominated play in all three periods, outshooting the Cougars 73-18. The 73 shots broke the old record of 60 set by Blake against Luverne in 2016. Whitehawk goalie Taylor Smith earned the win and Andrea Schreiber took the loss for Mankato East despite recording 69 saves.
Goals by Lauren Burris, Kailey Niccum and Gretta Pioske gave the Whitehawks a 3-0 lead after two periods.
Mankato East rallied back with third-period goals by Madison Davis and Evey Johnson, the second coming with more than eight minutes remaining. The Whitehawks were able to hold on and Sydney Hules found the net on a power play with less than a minute left for the final goal.
Mound Westonka (23-0-5) will face second-seeded and defending champion Breck (20-8-0) in the Class A semifinals 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at the Xcel. Mankato East moves on to the consolation bracket Thursday at the Treasure Island Center TRIA Rink.
