Maple Grove girls' hockey rebounds from first loss

The Maple Grove girls' hockey team responded from its first loss this season in style, edging defending Class 2A state champion Hill-Murray 3-2 in overtime on the road.

Senior forward Abby Larson scored with just four minutes remaining in the extra session to earn Maple Grove the victory on Saturday. The Crimson saw a 1-0 lead become a 2-1 deficit midway through the second period. Freshman Katie Denecke tied the game 2-2, and no more goals were scored in regulation. Larson's goal was her 10th this season.

Maple Grove, which began this week with a 19-1-1 record, dropped a 3-1 decision at Class 2A, Section 6 opponent Minnetonka on Jan. 15 before beating Hill-Murray.

Park Center senior guard Hannah Schaub scored career point No. 1,000 last week, a milestone owing to both talent and tenacity.

Schaub suffered a season-ending knee injury as a junior. She missed the Pirates' Class 3A playoff run that culminated in a triple-overtime championship game victory.

Schaub, who committed to Valparaiso, returned to her role as team leader as a senior. She averages 12.1 points per game, good for third on the team. Coach Chris VanderHyde credits her for bringing stability to a young and talented team and urging a positive mindset in the face of adversity.

Schaub reached 1,000 career points last Friday during a 61-48 home victory against Champlin Park.

The Blaine boys' hockey team entered this week riding an important four-game winning streak. The Bengals' victories included two Class 2A, Section 5 teams in Maple Grove and Centennial, plus Elk River/Zimmerman, ranked No. 5 in the coaches poll.

Defeating the Elks wasn't easy. Blaine saw a 3-1 lead disappear as the Elks rallied to tie the game before the second intermission. The game was tied 4-4 in the third period until the Bengals scored twice in the final four minutes. Junior forward Luke Notermann contributed both goals to complete the hat trick.