Class AA Boys Hockey State Consolation Semifinal Moorhead 5, Lakeville South 3

No one would have blamed the Moorhead Spuds if they had come out flat or lethargic in the Class AA consolation semifinals of the Minnesota State High School League’s Boys Hockey State Tournament on Friday, March 11 at 3M Arena at Mariucci Arena. After all, just more than 12 hours earlier, the Spuds lost a thrilling quarterfinal to Andover in double overtime late Thursday at the Xcel Energy Center.

But the Spuds responded with pep in cruising to a 5-2 victory over Lakeville South in the second consolation semifinal to earn a spot opposite Edina in the consolation final. Junior forward Caleb Anderson, sophomore forward Parker Gast and junior forward Harper Bentz all had a goal and an assist in extending the season one more game for the Spuds (22-7-1).

The Spuds built a three-goal advantage through two periods and extended it to 5-1 with just more than five minutes remaining in regulation.

Junior defenseman John Novak and junior forward Ashton Dahms had a goal each for Lakeville South (25-5-0).