East Ridge boys hockey: McDonough, Raptors upset Apple Valley

Senior goalie Andrew McDonough made a season-high 58 saves to help the East Ridge boys hockey team earn an upset win over Apple Valley in the Section 3AA quarterfinals.

East Ridge, the seventh seed in the nine-team section, beat second-seeded Apple Valley 3-2 in three overtimes on Thursday, Feb. 23, at Apple Valley High School.

East Ridge junior defenseman Steven Fronek scored the game-winner – his first goal of the year – in the third overtime to lift the Raptors (8-16-2) to the win. In addition, Joey Schutz and Tyler Fitzsimmons had goals and Jack Greeley had two assists.

But, McDonough was the star of the show in the win over the Eagles (11-12-3). After the senior netminder allowed the game-tying goal with 17 seconds remaining in the third period, McDonough stopped all the shots he faced in all three overtimes – including making an amazing 17 saves in the second overtime alone.

With the win, East Ridge advances to the section semifinals and will face off with Suburban East Conference counterpart Hastings on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Coliseum on the Minnesota State Fair Grounds. The sixth seed in Section 3AA, Hastings (13-11-2) upset third-seed Cretin-Derham Hall 4-3 in the quarterfinals. The Raiders beat East Ridge twice this season. Top seed Eagan faces off with fifth-seed Park in the other Section 3AA semifinal Saturday.

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