No. 1-seeded Edina, seeking a fourth consecutive Class 2A championship, cleared the first of three hurdles Thursday, defeating Burnsville 4-0 in the girls' hockey quarterfinals at Xcel Energy Center behind a dominant first period.

The Hornets (27-1-0) grabbed the lead 34 seconds into the game when sophomore Vivian Jungels scored. Junior Emma Conner and senior Tella Jungels, Vivian's sister, each added a goal in the period as Edina outshot Burnsville 15-5.

"The way we came out I thought was very impressive," Edina coach Sami Reber said.

But Reber wasn't nearly as pleased thereafter, saying the team sat on its heels in the second period before battling back a bit in the third.

After scoring three times in the first 12 minutes, Edina didn't score again until senior Lucy Bowlby put a bow on the victory with a no-look, top-shelf goal with nine minutes to play.

"Overall very happy with the outcome obviously, but I think we have to put together a full 51 minutes come tomorrow night," Reber said.

Despite the lopsided final score, coach Chris Lepper of Burnsville (19-8-2) thought his team put together the best performance it could have. Blaze goalie Maria Widen had an especially solid night, stopping 29 shots.

"None of these girls have played in this atmosphere like this, going up against the three-time defending champion, the No. 1 ranked team," he said. "They played the best they could."

PAUL HODOWANIC

Paul Hodowanic (paul.hodowanic@startribune.com) is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.