Saturday night’s special on Rink A went heavily in Section 7’s way, as the Gold squad outworked its opponents in White, and cut down the opposition from Section 8 with a strong two-way effort.

After falling surrendering a goal in the opening minute, Section 7 regrouped and rattled off three goals before the break, then added another as Gold brought the attack to Section 8 with a heavy counter attack on the forecheck. 

Moreover, Gold goaltender Josh Kozoil (Elk River) stopped 17 of 18 shots he faced in the first half, frustrating White’s efforts and capping their chances.

Five different skaters (Harrison VanderMey, Charlie Erickson, Joe Pierce, Wyatt Kaiser, Braeden Holcomb) would score for Gold, and in net, Koziel teamed with Carter Clafton’s five saves on six shots to keep White’s offense at arm’s length.

Pierce (Hermantown), VanderMey (Andover) and Kaiser (Andover) now have two goals each through the first two games, and are tied in a  group of eight players all with two. 

The Gold squad advances to face Section 6 (Gray) in the championship game Sunday at 2:45 p.m. on Rink A.

Box Score: Gold vs. White 

Grey wasted little time seizing control for good, scoring four times in the first half, four more in the second, and completely kept a lid on the Red offense en route to a convincing 8-0 victory in Saturday evening’s semifinal at Plymouth Ice Center.

Six different skaters finished with multiple points for Grey, who kept the pressure up with speed and puck control. Jack Smith (St. Cloud Cathedral) scored twice, and Blake Messenberg (Benilde-St. Margaret’s) scored once and netted two assists to lead the way for Section 6.

With the eight goals on top of the six in Friday’s quarterfinal, Section 6 has 14 total through the first two games to lead all teams in goal production. 

Tristan Broz (Blake), Joey Miller (Blake), Blake Perbix (St. Cloud Cathedral) and Nate Schweitzer (Benilde-St. Margaret’s) all added a goal and an assist each.

Miller opened the scoring less than four minutes into the game on an assist by Broz and Carson Peters (Wayzata), and Grey was in charge from then on.

Goaltending continues to be a strong point for Grey as well, as Dane Couture (Little Falls) and Louden Hogg (Edina) combined for the shutout in net by stopping 22 shots collectively. 

The victory moves Section 6 into Saturday’s championship round, where they will face the winner of the following game between Section 8 (White) and Section 7 (Gold).

Box Score: Grey vs Red

Green scored once in the first half, and once in the second, while goaltenders Derek Manzalla and Dominik Caspers combined to pitch a shutout in Section 3's 2-0 triumph over Sky Blue Saturday afternoon at Plymouth Ice Center. 

Jack McVey (East Ridge) got the scoring started with 11:01 left in the opening half when he buried a shot on a feed from Jackson Hallum (St. Thomas Academy), and Green was out front for good. 

In the second, Green added to its lead when Carter Newpower (Park of Cottage Grove) buried another, this time assisted by Jared Wright (St. Thomas Academy).

In net, Manzella stopped all eight shots he faced in the first half, and Caspers made nine saves on nine shots.

The victory moves Green into Sunday's consolation final against Royal Blue.  - Drew Herron

Box Score: Green vs Sky Blue

Noah Tussey (Stillwater) got the chance to show off his moves during a shootout round Saturday afternoon at Plymouth Ice Center with a trip to the consolation finals on the line.

Moving in from the goalie’s left side towards his right, Tussey dribbled the puck twice, then the left-handed shot slipped the puck onto his backhand and, with one hand, past the goaltender, whose momentum was moving along the same direction as the skater.

The talented forward and Gophers commit showed just how filthy his hands could be, and executed to perfection, his shootout move that clinched the win for Blue and salvages a 3-2 victory that moves Section 4 into the consolation final. 

Blue outplayed Orange for most of the first half but held a narrow 2-1 advantage at the break despite a 16-5 edge in shots on goal. Orange goalie Axel Rosalund (Eden Prairie) kept a tight lid on things the final two minutes, when he let in two late goals in a late flurry.

Midway through the second half, Orange’s Braedon Lacomy (Minnetonka) leveled the score at 2-2 on a play set up by Parker Gnos (Holy Family Catholic) and Duke Kiffin (Minnetonka).

In net for Orange, Josh Weylandt (Chanhassen) proved to be a steadying force, turning aside all 11 shots he faced in the second half, and two more in the overtime session.

Thomas Kuriscak (St. Paul Academy) and Vincent Castelletti (Minnesota Blue Ox)  shared duty between the pipes for Blue. Kuriscak stopped four of five shots in the first half, and was followed in the second when Castelletti made 15 saves on 16 shots.  - Drew Herron

Box Score: Royal Blue vs. Orange