Speed was a key aspect of Tuesday’s game at Fogerty Arena that pitted the Blaine Bengals and the visiting Centennial Cougars. A high intensity game, it serves as a possible preview of what sections might be like for the two rivals. Last year, the rivals faced each other in the Section Finals, where Blaine came out with the win and later placed 5th in State.

The game got off to quick start as both teams started the game on the offensive. At the 9:53 mark, sophomore Gabbie Hughes scored to put Centennial ahead. Hughes would go on to have a dominant night, scoring two goals and netting a nice assist. She currently leads the State with 34 points and 23 goals. Her efforts made the second period a Centennial period, as Centennial shut down many Bengal chances.

The shot count at the end of the period was split at 9.

The second period proved to be a period that could swing either way. Early in to the start of the period, Hughes netted her second goal of the game after teammate Anneke Linser made her way through the Bengal defense, went behind the net, and then dished the puck out for the waiting Hughes. Then after Blaine went on the power play, she almost scored shorthanded. Both teams played good defense in the second period, and shut down a lot of the passing and shooting lanes.

Blaine had numerous power plays in the second period, but it seemed like the puck was going any where but the net. Juniors Gina Rosvold and Kenzie Wylie each had good chances on the powerplay. Wylie’s efforts finally proved fruitful when, at the 3:48 mark, she scored off a goal that zinged the pipe. She was assisted by sophomore Rachel Lentner. The Bengals closed out the period with a powerplay, but again just couldn’t score.

The third period was the period where the game was decided. Centennial really disrupted Blaine in this period. Half way through the period, Hughes showed her magic again and threaded a pass to teammate Anneke Linser who slotted the puck through the five hole.

Centennial did not dominate all period though, as freshman Ramsey Parent scored a beautiful shot that hit the goalie’s stick and went into the top left corner, to cut the Centennial to one with 4:23 left to play. The Bengals effort was too little too late though, and the Cougars scored an empty net goal to kill any chance of a comeback. The Bengals simply just couldn’t score when it mattered, and were handed their second loss of the season

Blaine will face Benilde-St. Maragrets at Fogerty Arena on Thursday.