After a disappointing loss to Anoka on Saturday, the Blaine Bengals proved that they are a top team with a 5-2 win over the #2 ranked Eden Prairie Eagles– the team that beat them last year in the State tournament

Both teams have high powered offenses, and Blaine’s duo of Luke Notermann and Riley Tufte competed against Eden Prairie’s duo, Michael Graham and Casey Mittelstadt, and proved that they could score when it mattered most.

Just a 1:30 into the game, senior forward Blake Nastrom scored on a breakaway to put Blaine up 1-0. Nastrom looked to have been stuffed by the EP goalie, but managed to backhand the puck into the net.

Two minutes later, Tufte went to the box for interference. The Eagles could not get anything going on the powerplay, so the powerplay expired with no damage done.

Blaine’s defense excelled in the First Period, and Blaine killed off many Eagle chances early in the neutral zone. The First Period was also very physical,  Tufte was not innocent in this regard and went to the box at the 2:52 mark.

Shots were split at 7-7 at the end of the First Period.

The Second Period would go on to be a more offensive period. A breakout or two on two rush in one end, would often turn into a breakout headed the other way.

Scoring early seems to be a thing that Blaine is good at, and Max Bautch finessed the puck into the five hole off a perfect pass from Notermann, with just 15:25 to play. Bautch is a recent addition to the first line and adds physicality to a line that has been dominating.

EP’s Mittelstadt’s quick skating and stick handling proved to a problem for the Bengal defense. With 12:00 to play, he created a 2v1 rush and slotted the puck to the waiting Nolan Sullivan; Sullivan looked to have hit the pipe, and the puck went high and wide, but referees ruled it a goal, cutting the Bengal lead to one.

Things started to get close, and it looked like the Bengals would might lose their lead for the third straight game, but things changed at the 6:32 mark. Senior Griffin Fussy threaded the needle to Patrick Buck, who tapped the puck in and gave Blaine the 3-1 lead.

The Second Period was very physical. Bengal senior Ian Peterson went down after a dirty hit, just four minutes in. Peterson would not return to the game. Then, about halfway through the period, Hunter Johannes went to the box for a 5 minute major.

But, the Bengals could not capitalize on this powerplay, and Mittelstadt managed to score shorthanded, cutting the lead to one.

Tufte did not take this lightly. He sped into the EP zone and launched a rocket into the top shelf, with just a minute left in the period. Tufte’s shot was a snipe and demonstrated that he has next level skills.

The Second Period ended with Blaine leading by two.

The Third Period started off with a bang, and EP got on the powerplay early. Fortunately, they had a 0/4 powerplay percentage that night and didn’t score. About halfway through the period, the Bengals went on the powerplay, but they too couldn’t score.

Blaine played confidently in the Third Period. They connected their passes, and the Bengal defense made sure to shut down any EP chances in front.

Tufte sunk the dagger with 20 seconds to play, when he scored on an empty EP net to make it 5-3.

Blaine proved that it is one of the top teams in the State. It showed that its defense can stop high power teams like EP. Look for Blaine to move to #2 in the rankings.

Blaine’s first line also excelled tonight: Tufte, Notermann, and Bautch make a very good combo. Also, Goalie Ridge Gerards made a ton of huge saves tonight. Gerards ended the night with 25 saves.

The Bengal’s next game is away at White Bear Lake, at 7:30 and on the 29th. Happy Holidays!