Once again, a seeded team falls. This one put a halt to the storyline of a future NHL player.
The state tournament often provides good storylines and highlight-reel goals. The game-winner for Grand Rapids (22-7-1) certainly didn’t disappoint in its 3-2 upset victory over top-seed Eden Prairie (22-5-2) in the Class 2A semifinals on Friday night at Xcel Energy Center.
With the game tied 2-2 in the third period, senior forward Keaghan Graeber worked the puck along the boards in the offensive zone. With an Eden Prairie defender on him, Graeber slid down to the ice onto his backside. He just had the presence of mind to slide the puck to his waiting teammate in the slot.
“I just knew I needed to get the puck to the net because that’s what we’ve been working on all year,” Graeber said. “And that’s what I did and luckily he was coming in hard.”
Senior Connor Stefan didn’t miss. He and Graeber each had a goal and assist in the game. Their Thunderhawks, as a No. 5 seed, took down No. 1 seed and last year’s runner-up, the Eagles, in a physical and exciting finish to Semifinal Friday.
The Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the first period. But with 1:09 left in that period on a 5-on-3 opportunity, senior John Stampohar got credit for the Thunderhawks goal. The initial shot came through traffic to the front of the net.
It went in on a deflection off of Casey Mittelstadt’s stick for an own-goal. After the game, Eagles coach Lee Smith talked about not having a lot of puck luck in the game. That was probably the best piece of evidence.
“You’ve got to earn your breaks,” Smith said.
Their Thunderhawks, as a No. 5 seed, took down No. 1 seed and last year’s runner-up, the Eagles, in a physical and exciting finish to semifinal Friday.
The Thunderhawks took a 2-1 lead in the second. Then late in the period, Eagles sophomore Jack Jensen finally cashed in on one of his many chances to make it 2-2 at the end of the second period.
The Eagles pressured and got a late power play with 1:40 left in the game and also pulled their goaltender, but as their coach said, the puck didn’t bounce their way.
Part of that was because Thunderhawks junior goaltender Zach Stejskal came up with some huge saves throughout the game, and especially as the final minutes ticked down. He made 47 saves.
“He really rose to the occasion tonight,” said Grand Rapids head coach Trent Klatt.
This was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Eden Prairie won 6-2 with a hat trick from Mittelstadt. The NHL prospect, Mr. Hockey finalist and University of Minnesota commit did not score a goal in either state tournament game so far this year, though he had two assists (one Friday).
The Thunderhawks will face Moorhead for the State Championship; Moorhead won a matchup between the two 4-0 on Feb. 11. It’s the first all-northern (non-metro) Minnesota final since 2007 when Roseau beat Grand Rapids for the Class 2A title. Hermantown also beat Duluth-Marshall in Class 1A.
Grand Rapids has three titles — the last one coming 37 years ago in 1980 — including back-to-back titles in 1975 and 1976. Moorhead is a six-time Class 2A runner-up looking for its first state title.
