Green Wave holds off late Lourdes rally

No. 4 seed East Grand Forks escaped with a 3-2 victory over No. 5 seed Rochester Lourdes in the Class 1A quarterfinal nightcap.

The Green Wave got two first-period goals from Kolton Aubol, a second-period goal from Tommy Hajicek and 11 saves from goaltender Tanner Lindstrom to complete the victory. East Grand Forks plays No. 1 seed and two-time defending state champion St. Thomas Academy on Friday.

East Grand Forks hit the ice showing no ­visible signs of nerves despite an 11-year absence from the big stage.

"We were loose, and we played our game," Green Wave defenseman Colton Poolman said. "We got a couple on the board early and that sparked us."

Aubol got loose behind the Lourdes defense for his first goal, coming at 8:51 of the opening period. He struck again at 12:58 thanks to a tremendous effort by Hajicek. Carrying the puck near the boards, Hajicek got checked, slid on one knee, got up and kept skating. He sent the puck across the slot for a streaking Aubol to bury.

Hajicek was rewarded with a goal of his own at 15:08 of the second period.

But the Eagles refused to concede.

Alex Funk scored for Lourdes at 6:10 of the third period. Griff Slightam got his team within one with his goal, scoring with less than five minutes remaining.

"We put home those two goals and you could see everyone on the bench believed," Eagles captain Jason Samuelson said. "We just came up a little short."

David La Vaque