For Edina head coach Sami Reber, the only shots that matter are the ones that count for goals.

Reber’s Hornets took that to heart in Friday night’s semifinal victory over Lake Conference rival Eden Prairie at the Xcel Energy Center, racking up the totals found in both the goal and shot columns.

The top-seeded Hornets blanked the Eagles 4-0 and pumped an impressive 48 shots on the Eden Prairie net. 

“The other two times we played (Eden Prairie) we outshot them as well,” Reber said after the win. “They have an extremely good goaltender, so tonight’s message was shoot to score, don’t just shoot to get the numbers up on the scoreboard,” Reber continued. “That doesn’t mean anything if you can’t put it in the back of the net.”

The Hornets (27-1-1) took a 2-0 lead in the second period, with junior Lolita Fidler and senior Sophie Slattery scoring goals.

“They just capitalized on a few more bounces,” Eden Prairie goaltender Alexa Dobchuk said. “It could’ve gone either way.”

Despite the 2-0 deficit, Eden Prairie senior and Ms. Hockey finalist Naomi Rogge said that the Eagles (20-7-2) never felt they were out of the game. 

"No matter what the score was, no matter if we were getting shots, it only takes once bounce and we (would be) back in it,” Rogge said.

But that one bounce turned into a need for several bounces, as Edina junior Emily Oden and senior Sophie Slattery increased the Hornet lead to 4-0.

Edina senior Grace Bowlby, also a Ms. Hockey finalist, said that the Hornets were far from content with the 2-0 lead after two periods.

“I think that we all agreed that we just needed to keep up with our speed, and not give them any time in the lanes for their shots,” Bowlby said.

The similarities between Class AA championship opponents are many, with depth and consistency being hallmarks for both the Hornets and the Blaine Bengals.

Bowlby says that she’s excited for a chance at the tournament’s No. 2 seed. And not just super excited.

“There’s so much talent on both teams, the depth is unreal,” Bowlby said. “I think it’s going to be an awesome game tomorrow, and I’m super, super excited.” 

Class AA (Ridder Arena)

• Eastview 4, Roseau 1 (Box Score)
• Farmington 1, Forest Lake 0 (Box Score)

Class A Third Place (Xcel Energy Center)

• Warroad vs. Northfield, 9 a.m.

Class AA Third Place (Xcel Energy Center)

• Hill-Murray vs. Eden Prairie, 11 a.m.

Class A Finals (Xcel Energy Center)

• St. Paul United vs. Blake, 4 p.m.

Class AA Finals (Xcel Energy Center)

• Blaine vs. Edina, 7 p.m.

Class A Consolation Finals (Ridder Arena)

• Hibbing/Chisholm vs. Alexandria, 10 a.m.

Class AA Consolation Finals (Ridder Arena)

• Eastview vs. Farmington, Noon