Friday's boys' hockey state tournament recap

1. Jack Powell, Alexandria, senior: The Alexandria defenseman produced a hat trick, including a coast-to-coast beauty of a goal. Powell can't recall a previous hat trick. Cardinals fans won't soon forget this one.

2. Thomas Walker, Orono, senior: He was once, twice, three times a scorer as Orono built a 4-0 lead in the second period. And the captain kept Orono believing with positive words on the bench. The Spartans lost their cushion and went to overtime in a 5-4 victory.

3. Parker Kleive, Duluth East, senior: The netminder set the tone early with a breakaway stop of Jett Jungels, a feat few goalies matched all season. He also denied Edina's dangerous Sammy Walker twice among his 24 saves. Kleive's play lifted teammates to a semifinal upset.

BY THE NUMBERS

1

Alexandria advanced to its first championship game in five state tournament appearances. The Cardinals knocked out Hermantown, which appeared in the previous eight title game. Not bad for a team given the No. 3 seed in the section tournament and the No. 4 seed at state.

8

48

Class 1A heavyweight Hermantown hit the end of its remarkable 48-game unbeaten streak. The Hawks are looking to opt up to Class 2A in 2019-20.

30,960

Announced combined attendance for Friday's two sessions. Afternoon session drew 11,905, a Class 1A Friday semifinal record.

"Puck in the air, I'd say he knocks it in 10 out of 10 times."