high schools

Roseau, the little school from northwestern Minnesota, has another plaque for its well-stocked trophy case. The Rams won their seventh boys' hockey state title on Saturday, beating Grand Rapids 5-1 in the Class 2A title game.

Before a crowd of 17,567 at the Xcel Energy Center, the Rams took a 2-0 lead into the third period and quickly doubled it as sophomore forward Tyler Landman scored at 1 minute, 30 seconds and again at 4:17.

The Grand Rapids faithful finally got something to cheer about when junior defenseman Corey Kosak scored on a 30-foot shot from between the circles at 8:11 as a Thunderhawks power play ended.

Grand Rapids had a great opportunity to cut further into the Rams' 4-1 lead with a power play extending more than 3 minutes late in the third period, including a two-man advantage for 42 seconds, but could not convert.

Instead, the Rams (29-2), who were the tournament's second seed, got another goal as sophomore Nick Oliver, the coach's son, scored at 15:54 for the final margin.

"Our team defense played really well," Roseau coach Scott Oliver said. "It starts with the goalie, but it works its way out."

This was the Rams' second victory over Grand Rapids this season. They met in the last game of the regular season, and the visiting Rams won 3-1 despite being outshot 45-40.

In the title game, the Rams took a 1-0 lead in the first period on senior forward Ryan Larsen's rebound goal at 12:12. Sam Carr, breaking down the left side, started the play by centering the puck to Ben Johnson.

Johnson's shot at the right side of the net was thwarted by Thunderhawks goalie Reidar Jensen, but the rebound went to the other side where Larsen was all alone with a big opening.

Grand Rapids (19-8-4) had two power plays in the first period but the Thunderhawks were still outshot 10-8 and almost gave up a late short-handed goal. Jensen stopped Landman from close range by falling forward, just outside the crease, to smother the puck.

Early in the second period, the Rams capitalized on a two-on-one break. This time Johnson finished the play, scoring his 14th goal of the season through the five-hole at 3:06 after a pass from Ryan Weston.

The Thunderhawks did have a few close chances in the final period, but Mike Lee stopped all of them.

"I can't say enough about those guys playing in front of me," Lee said. "They held them to shots around the perimeter. And it's my job to stop those."This is a dream come true," Landman said. "It's unbelievable."

The Rams, who were making their record 31st state trip, last won the state title in 1999 in Class 2A. Before that they won five one-class tournaments, in 1946, 1958, 1959, 1961 and 1990.