After Thursday's marathon girls hockey section quarterfinal game between Blaine and Anoka, three more went to overtime over the weekend. Coaches were relieved when Friday's and Saturday's overtime games didn't last as long as Thursday's.
The longest of the three OT games came Friday, when fourth-seeded Prior Lake defeated fifth-seeded Eden Prairie 2-1 in the second overtime of a Class 2A, Section 2 quarterfinal game at Dakotah Ice Center.
"That was literally what the coaches were talking about," Prior Lake coach Kiersten Nelson said about the prospect of playing another long game. "We did not want another six-overtime game."
Ava Guillemette scored the winning goal on a shorthanded rush 12:03 into the second overtime. She beat Eagles goaltender Tegan Swanson on the blocker side with a shot from the top of the circles. Guillemette had sent the game to overtime with an even-strength goal with 6:23 left in regulation.
"It was an even game throughout. We were the fortunate ones to find the back of the net first," Nelson said. "Ava came up big for us like she has all season."
Annabel Mehta got the Eagles on the board first 1:48 into the game. Goaltender Olivia Hansen kept the Lakers in the game from there, making 16 saves in the second period and 10 stops in the two overtimes combined.
"[Hansen] sees the puck well. She is our leader back there, and she keeps us in games," Nelson said. "She is an underrated goaltender. She does not get the credit she deserves with her athleticism."
On Saturday a pair of fourth seeds advanced in their sections by winning in the first overtime.