Blake and Red Wing were scoreless through nearly two periods during their semifinal game Friday. Then Blake freshman Sarah Chute, left alone in the slot, fired a shot through traffic to give her team a 1-0 lead with a minute remaining in the second period.

"Someone had to do it," Chute said. "It was great to get great momentum for our team."

Senior Jordan Chancellor added two goals a minute apart in the third period and Anna Kruesel had 19 saves as Blake won 3-0. The No. 2-seeded Bears will meet Thief River Falls in Saturday's Class A title game.

The two-time defending champion Bears are seeking their sixth state championship.

Blake and Red Wing were no strangers in the state tournament. Blake won last year's semifinal between the two in double overtime. After Friday's game, Blake coach Shawn Reid said the Wingers outworked and outplayed his team in the first period.

"Red Wing played an awesome game," Reid said. "We had to pick up our work ethic."

Red Wing senior goalie Ashley Corcoran kept her team in the game by holding Blake scoreless until Chute's goal. She faced 47 shots.

"We knew she was going to play excellent," Red Wing coach Scott Haley said of Corcoran. "We needed a break or two. We needed to be perfect on our execution."

HEATHER RULE