Rosemount Edges Grand Rapids 3-2 in Overtime, Advances to Class AA Semifinals

Rosemount Edges Grand Rapids 3-2 in Overtime, Advances to Class AA Semifinals

Cade Sherman scored the overtime winner after a frantic finish that saw Grand Rapids tie the game with 28.9 seconds remaining, sending Rosemount past the Thunderhawks and into a semifinal matchup with Minnetonka.

The Rosemount Irish and Grand Rapids Thunderhawks faced off in the second Class AA quarterfinal at Grand Casino Arena.

Rosemount is making its first appearance at the tournament since 1992. Meanwhile, Grand Rapids is returning for the first time since 2024.

The game proved to be one of the most competitive of the tournament thus far, regardless of class. Ultimately, it was Rosemount who found an overtime winner and punched their ticket to the semifinal round.

Rosemount carried play early, registering six of the first seven shots on goal during the game. Despite the lead in shots on goal, they couldn’t find the back of the net, and Grand Rapids earned the opportunity to flip the script with a power play opportunity.

The Thunderhawks feature one of the most lethal extra-attacker units in the state, and they cashed in on that reputation by scoring the game’s first goal. Grand Rapids’ Ander Rajala scored the goal on a beautiful shot that he roofed from the low circle to open up his 2026 State Tournament goal-scoring account.

The Irish had the chance to counter with a high-powered power play of their own later in the period, but Grand Rapids managed to fend off that opportunity. 

Special teams became a storyline of the first period after Rosemount once again went to the box after a hooking call on a Thunderhawk breakaway. This time, the Irish successfully defended the penalty to maintain a 1-0 lead.

The first period was played at a fast offensive pace, with Rosemount leading the shots 17-12 when the buzzer sounded.

The Irish scored a game-tying goal early in the second period on a rush chance that resulted in a rebound. Connor Schubert produced the initial shot while Oliver Goren buried the chance to knot the score at one apiece.

The second period proceeded from there much as the first had. Both teams had significant scoring opportunities, but the play of each team’s respective goaltenders shone. Neither team was able to find a go-ahead goal for the remainder of the period.

Thunderhawks netminder Luke Sherlock made eight saves in the period for a total of 25 through two periods. On the other end, Sam Clements posted 21 saves on 22 shots on goal through two.

The stellar play of the team’s defense and goaltenders left the game at a one-goal deadlock with all to play for in the third period.

The Irish had the first significant chance to break the tie when they went to the power play with roughly six minutes left in the game. Up until that point, the period had largely been an evenly-matched contest without any crucial developments. 

Luke Sherlock and the Thunderhawks were able to keep the Irish at bay on the extra-attacker chance, but Rosemount broke through shortly after on a net-front scramble goal from Channing Goodwin. The goal came with just 3:26 remaining in the game, setting up an intense finale.

Grand Rapids made a late push with an empty net to tie the game and found their equalizer with just 28.9 remaining in the game. Jameson Duell scored the goal on a redirect in front of the net, sending the game to overtime.

Overtime wasn’t an extended affair, with Rosemount scoring fairly early on a wicked shot from Irish captain Cade Sherman. The goal punched Rosemount’s ticket to a contest with the top-seeded Minnetonka Skippers in the Class AA semifinal.

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