Bobby Cowan’s power-play goal with 6:55 remaining lifted No. 1 seed Edina past No. 2 seed Chanhassen 2-1 on Saturday in the state Class 2A championship game in front of an announced crowd of 20,346 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Cowan, a senior University of St. Thomas commit, unloaded a rising shot that sailed over the catching glove of star Chanhassen goaltender Kam Hendrickson. Chanhassen outshot Edina 33-23.
Edina (26-4-1), ranked No. 3 in Class 2A, controlled much of the third period, and tied the score at 1-1 with 13:48 remaining on junior defenseman Robby Hoch’s third goal of the season.
Tyler Smith’s deflection of Ben Curtis’ point shot put the No. 5-2A Storm (25-6-0) ahead 1-0 with 6:50 left in the second. The goal culminated a long stretch of play in the Edina defensive zone, with the Storm peppering Edina goaltender Joe Bertram with shots or missing just wide.
Chanhassen outshot Edina 15-5 in the second.
Just one penalty was called in a scoreless first period, a high-sticking minor on No. 1 seed Edina’s Ryan Flaherty with 2:39 remaining. No. 2 seed Chanhassen had several quality scoring chances on the ensuing power play but were unable to beat Bertram.
Bertram and Hendrickson, one of three finalists for the Frank Brimsek Award that goes to the state’s top senior goaltender, had 10 and nine saves, respectively, in the first period.
A tripping call on Chanhassen’s Caden Lee put Edina on a power play with 7:06 remaining, and Bobby Cowan needed just 11 seconds of the man advantage to snipe a rising shot past the catching glove of Chanhassen goaltender Kam Hendrickson.
21 - Tourney shots faced by Chanhassen goalie Kam Hendrickson entering the championship game.
5-of-6 - Edina closed the game wining 5 of 6 face-offs in the final 3:33.
1 - Shots on goal by Chanhassen leading scorer Gavin Uhlenkamp in the first period. The shot happened with 13 seconds left.
1 - Shots on goal by Edina leading scorer Jackson Nevers in the first period.
0 - Games between the two programs before Saturday.
20,346 - Announced attendance for Saturday night's Class 2A championship game, bringing the total for the tournament to 116,174.
60 - Years since Lou Nanne broadcast his first state tournament game. Saturday night's championship game was his last.
This was just a tremendous way for me to end my career. I just love watching high school hockey. I love watching this tournament. I have to tell you these kids provide entertainment you just can't find anywhere else.
— Some of Lou Nanne's final words before signing off on his final state tournament broadcast, a career spanning 60 years
Edina’s Bobby Cowan fires a shot toward the Chanhassen net during the Class 2A state title game. Cowan’s third period goal was the game winner in the Hornets’ 2-1 victory over the Storm. Photo by Jeff Lawler, LegacyHockeyPhotography.com