State boys hockey: Eden Prairie routs Anoka to advance – TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

It was semi-controversial when Eden Prairie was awarded the No. 1 seed over a one-loss Stillwater team in the boys state hockey tournament.

But the Eagles (20-7-2) looked the part of the state’s top team Thursday night as they blitzed Anoka 7-3 in the Class 2A quarterfinals at the Xcel Energy Center.

Five Eden Prairie players scored in the rout, including Gophers commit Casey Mittelstadt, a junior forward, who finished with a goal and five assists.

“That Mittelstadt kid, he’s a player,” said Anoka coach Todd Manthey, adding he thinks Mittelstadt is in the same league as Blaine senior forward Riley Tufte.

Junior defenseman Nicky Leivermann and junior forward Hunter Johannes each scored twice.

Senior forward Michael Talbot scored all three of Anoka’s goals, including one that tied the score at 1-1 late in the first period to give Anoka (18-10) life after Johannes put Eden Prairie on top four minutes in.

Talbot said the first period was “satisfying” for Anoka, which was making its first state tournament trip since 2003.

“We didn’t play our best period,” he said, “but we weathered the storm.”

Until Eden Prairie struck again. The Eagles quashed any Anoka momentum with a four-goal flurry – capped by a goal from senior forward Spencer Steen – to take a 5-1 lead late in the second period.

Eden Prairie was dominant in all facets of the game, outshooting Anoka 39-15.

“I think the key in this game is our team speed,” Eden Prairie coach Lee Smith said. “I still think we’re the best-skating team that’s left in the state. When we get it rolling, it’s really good.”

Now the Eagles will try to roll through to the final. Eden Prairie has fallen in the state semis the past two years.

“We’ll have a different team tomorrow,” Smith said, “and I know we’ll be hungry and try to get through it.”

Despite the loss, Talbot said a hat trick at state is “something you dream about.”

“It’s really special,” Talbot said. “Guys were getting the puck around me, and I was lucky enough to get three of them.”