Sophomore Nathan Garski scored on the power play with 1.6 seconds remaining in regulation to lift No. 5 seed Grand Rapids past No. 4 seed White Bear Lake 2-1 in a Class 2A state quarterfinal matchup Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center.

The Thunderhawks (18-11-0) advance to meet top seed Edina (24-4-1) in the semifinals at 8 p.m. Friday at Xcel Energy Center. The Bears (20-8-1) will face Elk River/Zimmerman (18-10-1) in the consolation semifinals at 1 p.m. Friday at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood.

Grand Rapids is back at the state tournament for the first time since winning the Class 2A state title in 2017.

Sophomore defenseman William Shermoen got the Thunderhawks on the board first with a goal with 12:56 to play in the first period.

And, from there, Grand Rapids held a 1-0 lead until White Bear Lake junior Jack Stanius scored a 4-on-4 goal with 1:34 remaining in regulation.

A Grand Rapids penalty then expired, leaving the Thunderhawks on the power play and setting the stage for the game-winning goal.

Sophomore goalie Carter Casey came up with 25 saves for Grand Rapids. Junior Leo Gabriel finished with 21 saves in net for the Bears.

The game was a reversal of the regular-season meeting between the two teams which White Bear Lake won 2-0 on Jan. 19.

Thursday’s evening session attendance was announced at 20,208. The afternoon session drew a total of 19,765 for a total of 39,973 between the two.

Related Articles

Boys hockey: Edina blows out Elk River in quarterfinals

State boys hockey: Chanhassen downs Rochester Century/John Marshall 7-0

State boys hockey: Cretin-Derham Hall rallies from 3-0 hole to upset third-ranked Centennial

State boys hockey: Mahtomedi breaks free from Orono with 4-goal third

State boys hockey: Class 2A tournament primer