Blaine and Spring Lake Park Secure Victories in Section 5AA Tournament

Eighth-seeded Blaine boys hockey topped ninth-seeded Irondale 3-1 in the first round of the Section 5AA tournament Feb. 20. Gavin George and Hudson Bethel gave the Bengals a 2-0 lead in the first period, a margin that would remain into the third. Irondale closed within a goal two minutes into the final period, but Blaine went back ahead by two goals on a Nate Wallraff score midway through the third, maintaining the lead the rest of the way. Landon Palmgren recorded 21 saves, as Blaine advanced to face top-seeded Maple Grove in the quarterfinals Feb. 22. Following a scoreless first...