Fast Start Sends Edina to Semifinals

Fast Start Sends Edina to Semifinals

By Robert Brent

Bode McConnell scored three first-period goals as Edina built an early lead and defeated Andover 3–1 to advance to the Class AA semifinals against Moorhead.

Third-seeded Edina took on the sixth-seeded Andover Huskies in the final quarterfinal matchup of the 2026 Class AA tournament. The winner of the game would go on to play Moorhead in the semifinals.

The Edina Hornets used a strong first period to propel themselves to the win on Wednesday night with notable efforts from a star forward and goaltender.

The Hornets got off to a hot start with the opening goal of the game just minutes in. Mr. Hockey nominee Tucker Johnson made a nifty pass to a waiting Bode McConnell at the bottom of the faceoff circle. McConnell converted on the pass, shooting the puck into a wide-open net.

Edina added to their lead later in the period on a goal that was once again put home by Bode McConnell. This time, McConnell scored on a drive to the net and was fortunate to find the puck on his stick from being in the right place at the right time.

Bode McConnell finished his first-period natural hat trick with a top-corner snipe after cutting to the middle of the ice from a puck battle along the boards. McConnell’s third goal closed the scoring of the first period, giving the Hornets a nice cushion for the remainder of the game.

Andover ate into that lead halfway through the next period when they scored a goal on a power play off of a netfront scramble. There was some deliberation as to whether the marker would count due to possible goaltender interference, but Jack Rykkeli’s goal ultimately counted.

The Huskies appeared to score again to cut the deficit to one goal, but this time the goal was waived off, preserving a 3-1 Edina lead heading into the third period.

The Hornets had dominated the shots-on-goal total through two periods, leading the Huskies 34-16.

Bode McConnell had a golden opportunity to score a fourth goal early in the third period, but Andover goaltender Wyatt Riemer made a beautiful save to snuff the scoring opportunities.

Andover had a major opportunity to score with under two minutes left when a Huskie attacker was sprung on a breakaway. A fantastic poke check play from an Edina defender swept the puck away, leaving just one minute for Andover to attempt their comeback.

The Huskies pulled their goaltender but were unable to score, falling to Edina 3-1.

Hornets’ goaltender Chase Bjorgaard made 25 saves on 26 shots for an excellent performance that launched Edina into the Class AA Tournament semifinals against Moorhead.

Andover goaltender Wyatt Reimer also put in a valiant effort with 45 saves on 48 shots against, but the Huskies’ offense just wasn’t able to solve Bjorgaard and the Hornets’ defense.

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