Class A Girls Hockey State Consolation Final: River Lakes 2, Mankato East 0

River Lakes, a co-op of seven member schools in central Minnesota, is returning home with a trophy following their second consecutive trip to the Minnesota State High School League’s Girls Hockey State Tournament in St. Paul. The Stars capped their season with a rousing 2-0 victory over Mankato East in the Class A consolation final on Saturday, Feb. 26 at TRIA Rink at Treasure Island Center.

Senior defender Paige Blattner scored a power-play goal in the final minutes of the second period and senior forward Kianna Roeske added an empty-netter with eight seconds remaining in regulation to secure the consolation final trophy in a game that had the same intensity, grit and emotion of a section final. Freshman goalie Kaydence Roeske made 22 saves to preserve the shutout.

While River Lakes (18-13-0) outshot the Cougars (22-7-0) by a 50-to-22 margin, the game was played at a spirited pace with end-to-end rushes and quality scoring chances from each side.

It appeared it would be scoreless through the second intermission before Blattner scored a power-play goal amid congestion in front to give the Stars that coveted first goal that each team was seeking. Mankato East was 0 for 3 on the power play while River Lakes was 1 of 3.

Mankato East goalie Annaliese Rader made 48 saves, including 24 in the second period. Sophomore forward Jessica Eykyn had a team-best five shots.