Second-ranked Hayward/Spooner got a pair of first period goals from freshman blueliner Holly Turnbull as the Lady 'Canes grabbed an early lead and then held off three-time state champion St. Croix Valley Fusion 2-1 Friday evening at the New Richmond Sports Center.

Hayward/Spooner senior forward Hannah Dvorak was part of a quintet that performed a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem prior to the contest.

Then it was time to drop the puck.

The Fusion had a power play chance early in the period, but was unable to capitalize. Just over seven minutes later, the Lady 'Canes did not fail on their first try on the man-advantage.

Turnbull had the puck on top near the center of the ice and fired a shot, which was blocked by the forward on the point of the PK diamond. Turnbull gathered in the puck, took one stride to her left and fired another shot which beat Fusion netminder Kalli Armagost on the blocker side for a 1-0 lead. Kelly Ahlgren was given an assist on the power play goal at 11:55 of the first.

With just over one minute left in the period, Turnbull struck again.

She had the puck at the right point and threw a shot on the net. Armagost appeared to make the save, but one second later the puck slid slowly across the goal line to give the 'Canes a 2-0 lead. The unassisted goal came at the 15:27 mark.

That's how the period would end, with H/S holding an 8-4 shot edge.

Special teams played a role in the only goal that would be scored by the Fusion.

Senior forward Hailey Rock was chasing on the PK when she stripped the puck away from the 'Canes player, came around the far side of the net and slipped the puck between the post and the left pad of goalie Sarah Miley. The unassisted short-handed goal came at 14:53 of the second to make the score 2-1, which is how the period would end.

Hayward/Spooner dominated the period, shot-wise, leading by a margin of 15-5.

The third period was scoreless, but Dvorak almost made some music of her own when her shot from the high slot beat Armagost, only to ring off the right post with just over five minutes left.

A minute later, Turnbull's shot from the point was deflected and fluttered over the goalie's shoulder, only to land on top of the net. The near-heart attacks in the building at that time were measurable.

Fusion coach Matt Cranston was unable to pull his goalie for the extra attacker until 33 seconds were left on the clock, and his squad could only watch helplessly as the clock ran down to zero.

The 'Canes outshot the Fusion 8-3 in the final period.

Both coaches lauded the opponent.

"We played a poor first period," Cranston said. "Give them (Hayward/Spooner) credit. They played well."

'Canes coach Steve Billings had similar praise.

"I knew it would be a close game. The Fusion has a very good team, and I expected a low scoring game." 

 In the win, Miley stopped 11 shots. On the other end, Armagost turned aside 29 of 31 shots in a valiant effort.

The Lady 'Canes (17-2-1) will meet the Central Wisconsin Storm Friday at noon in one of the state semi-final match-ups.

The sixth-ranked Fusion ended their season with a record of 16-10-1.