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WATCH: Top Plays by Minnesotans in 2016-17

By Touchpoint Media, 03/28/17, 9:30AM CDT

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There was no shortage of hockey highlights produced by Minnesotans again this year. We compiled a list of some of our favorites from the 2016-17 season. Did we miss any of your favorites? Share them with us on Twitter. Enjoy!

Lee Lights the Lamp

The Gophers’ senior captain and 2014 Olympian is known for her stellar defensive play, but this ankle-busting, game-winning shootout goal is marvelous. The goaltender she fooled is no slouch. Ann-Renee Desbiens won the Patty Kazmaier Award, given to the top player in women’s college hockey. Stecklein, a Roseville native, had a remarkable college career for the Gophers.  WATCH. 

Mr. Hockey Makes His Case

2017 Mr. Hockey Casey Mittelstadt shows everyone why he is projected to be a first-round NHL draft pick this summer. The speed, backhand toe-drag, and silky finish – he makes it look easy. It’s not. WATCH. 

6-Overtime Snipe

The 2017 Minnesota Hockey Bantam AA State Tournament quarterfinal between Blaine and Eden Prairie was one for the ages. After Blaine tied it up at 2-2 in the third period, the game went to overtime – six overtimes, in fact. The marathon battle was finally ended with a Carsen Richels one-timer. (See right/below)

Bravo, Brock

It was a whirlwind weekend for Brock Boeser. The day after a season-ending loss in the NCAA tournament, the Burnsville native signed with the Vancouver Canucks and made his NHL debut against the Wild at Xcel Energy Center. During the second period, he jumpstarted an odd-man rush and buried a rebound to tally his first NHL goal. WATCH.

Backes Breaks Twig, Tallies Historic Goal

Spring Lake Park native David Backes is no stranger to the front of the net. The former Minnesota State Maverick puts a nice redirection on the shot from the point, then bangs home the rebound while breaking his stick. It was the 20,000th goal in Boston Bruins history. WATCH.

Grace’s Golden Goal

The 2017 Ms. Hockey award winner scored the game-winning goal for Team USA to help capture the second-consecutive U-18 Women’s World Championship gold medal. 

The build-up to Grace’s goal begins at the 0:39 second mark. (See below)

Michael Bitzer

Moorhead native Michael Bitzer had quite the season for Bemidji State. The junior goaltender was named WCHA Player of the Year and he is finalist for the Hobey Baker and Mike Richter awards. He absolutely robbed the Gophers’ Leon Bristedt in January, one of his many highlight-reel saves of the season. WATCH.

Shane Shines

You don’t see a whole lot of end-to-end goals in college hockey. Well, Chaska native Shane Gersich not only did that, but he threw in a spin-o-rama rooftop backhander for extra style points. Oh, and it was an overtime game-winner! WATCH.

Family Reaction

First shift, first shot, first goal. That’s the story of Jake Guentzel’s NHL debut this past November. His family’s reaction in the stands went viral and he would score another goal later in the first period. The Woodbury native and son of Gophers associate head coach Mike Guentzel is having a fantastic rookie season for the Penguins. WATCH.

Oshie Annihilates Water Bottle

There's popping the water bottle and there's destroying it. Warroad’s T.J. Oshie shows us the latter with this laser. Hope the goalie wasn’t too thirsty.  (See right/below.)

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