GRAND RAPIDS HOCKEY VS LAKEVILLE SOUTH-MINNESOTA STATE TOURNEY CONSOLATION FINALS-2026 -MARIUCCHI

Описание: Grand Rapids Thunderhawks vs Lakeville South Cougars March 7t 2026 at Mariucchi Arens in Minneapolis Minnesota-Rapids wins the Consolation Trophy 6 to 2.

MSHSL Class 2A Boys Hockey Consolation Championship

Grand Rapids 6, Lakeville South 2

MINNEAPOLIS — Grand Rapids High School hockey is home again after closing out another special year. It was an incredible run through the latter stages of the season that brought along a Section 7AA Championship and Class 2A Consolation Championship, while finishing 17-13-1.

What they achieved in the end didn’t always appear to be their destiny. They started 2-7-1 through their first 10 games, struggling with slow starts, injuries, position changes, and ugly losses.

But you don’t count this team out.

The Thunderhawks, led by third-year head coach Grant Clafton, went 13-3 past the second half of the season, including five shutout victories. In their final 10 games including the postseason, they averaged six goals a game while surrendering only 1.5 goals against during that time.

Their only loss in that final 10 games came at the hands of Rosemount’s Cade Sherman, whose perfectly-placed wrist shot in overtime of the state quarterfinals halted the hard-charging Thunderhawks during a game in which they proved they belonged with the best teams in the state. But they were only halted for a moment.

The Thunderhawks came back the next morning and beat Gentry Academy 4-2 in the Consolation Semifinals before setting their sights on Lakeville South in the final.

The Cougars struck first at 3M Arena at Mariucci, but it was all Grand Rapids from there. A five-goal second period all but settled the score, as each team would add one more each in the third period. The Thunderhawks 6-2 victory was another performance to be proud of. Senior Seth Carlson scored twice and logged three points to be named to the Class 2A All-Tournament team.

A humble goalie room led by seniors Levi Westby and Grant Olson allowed Luke Sherlock to continue to gain experience going forward as the Thunderhawks starting goaltender. In the championship game, he saved 28-of-30 shots to end a fantastic sophomore season that shows a bright future. Ander Rajala, Dylan Clayton, and Will Miskovich also logged goals in the win. Carlson and Miskovich’s first goals were short-handed to tie the game and take the lead, as the team put an exclamation point on a historic and memorable season.

The team adopted an identity and mindset that proved you can beat anyone when you’re willing to outwork them. They did so with grit, a high level of compete, finishing checks and moving your feet. Coach Clafton said to add “selflessness and accountability” as well as the defining characteristics of this team.

They became who they needed to be to find ways to win. Once that identity became routine for this team, they were nearly unbeatable. And although they did not advance in the main tournament, they ended their last game of the season hoisting another trophy, after finishing amongst the final eight teams still skating for a state championship.

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