Edina scores early and often to repeat as 2A champion

Call it an Edina-sty.

Already the most decorated program in boys' hockey annals, Edina added a 12th state title (including the three Willard Ikola-coached Edina East teams) with a 8-2 dismantling of Lakeville North in Saturday's Class 2A championship game.

The Hornets captured their third title in five years and became the first large school back-to-back champion since Bloomington Jefferson won three consecutive crowns from 1992-94.

A year after crushing Lakeville North 9-3 in the state tournament quarterfinals, Edina, with 12 new faces on the roster, announced its intent to stay on top. The Hornets played fast and physical, too much for a North team that battled through two consecutive overtime games, including Friday night's two-overtime battle of attrition with Eden Prairie.

Both teams were ranked No. 1 for several weeks this season. The Hornets earned the tournament's top seed, one spot ahead of Lakeville North. The Panthers' rose to prominence thanks to a 18-0-1 run during the regular season. Meanwhile, Edina finished the season on a 13-0-1 surge its 2010 or 2013 championship teams could not match.

Edina grabbed a 3-2 lead after the first period, a relentless opening 17 minutes of intense play.

Tyler Nanne set up the first Edina goal, making a pass while falling into the Lakeville North zone and toppling a referee. Garrett Wait sent the puck to Casey Dornbach coming down the slot. Dornbach buried the puck for a 1-0 lead.

Play settled as Lakeville North tied game 1-1 on Max Johnson's goal. A rebound of Tristen Hazlett's shot came out toward Johnson, who poked it home at 9:35.

The goal failed to rattle Edina. On the ensuing shift, Ben Foley restored a 2-1 Hornets' lead.

Miguel Fidler extended the advantage to 3-1. He drew a North penalty and then administered the payback with a goal.

Battling back once again, Lakeville North cut its deficit to 3-2 on Johnson's power-play goal with less than two minutes remaining in the first period.

Taking control of the game in the second period, Edina scored three unanswered goals. Fidler, a Star Tribune All-Metro first team selection, scored his second goal of the game at 5:36 of the second period on a slick back-and-forth passing sequence with Nanne. His goal gave Edina a 4-2 lead.

Bellows added his second goal of the game in the third period.

The box score reflected the Hornets' depth. All three forward lines contributed at least two goals.