The first of two goals within a 19-second span in the third period gave Edina the edge. The second killed Duluth East.

Tyler Nanne and Andy Jordahl scored back-to-back goals in the 12th minute of the third period to secure the Hornets' spot in the Class 2A championship with in a 3-2 victory over the Greyhounds.

"We knew it was getting down the wire. And we knew from there that we had the momentum in our hands and all we had to do is play defense to get the win," Nanne said.

After Nanne gave his team a lead on a long slapshot, he encouraged his teammates to keep peppering the net. He didn't realize how quick the words of encouragement would be pay off, but thankful it came when it did.

Jordahl's insurance goal proved to be significant. The Greyhounds kept their hopes alive when Meirs Moore scored with 1:46 left in the third period. Time, however, ran out on Duluth East and Edina avenged a midseason 4-1 loss to the Greyhounds.

"The last time we played them they kind of ran us out of the building," Nanne said. Edina couldn't forget the big hits Duluth East pounded on them Dec. 27. They had a lot to make up for on Friday.

Greyhounds captain Meirs Moore focused on the puck while fending off Edina’s Dan Hinueber.

Alex Toscano scored Duluth's first goal 2:40 into the game and the lead held until the third period when Edina's Miguel Fidler tied it. After the first five minutes of the game, however, Edina began to take control and eventually wore out its opponent.

Moore and Toscano said the hits from Edina became overwhelming. After every pass, the Hornets would finish a ahrd check.

"It was getting physical. … This time they were throwing the punches. It pushed us back on our heels," Toscano said.

Moore said the Hornets' hits were on his mind any time he would touch the puck.

The game ended in a scramble against the boards near the blue line, and pushing ensued to close out the physical night.

"We had to make sure we kept hitting them so they didn't get out of the zone," Fidler said.

Jordahl said the goal was to wear the Greyhounds down, and when they saw it happen, the Hornets pounced.

Edina last played in the 2A championship game in 2010.