In the biggest moment of the biggest game of the season with the puck on her stick, Sara McClanahan had one thought on her mind: Don’t think.

McClanahan, a sophomore, displayed a confidence beyond her years as she snapped a shot between the legs of Breck’s Jenna Brenneman to send the Bears to their fourth straight state tournament in Thursday night’s wild 3-2 overtime victory over the longtime rival Mustangs.

“I oftentimes think about it too much,” McClanahan said with a grin after the game. “In the moment I just wanted to get that shot off. All season my coaches have been telling me a quick shot is a lot better than a slow shot,” McClanahan added.

The McClanahan family is no stranger to big games. Sara’s father, Rob McClanahan, was a former star at Mounds View, and is well-known for his heroics as a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team.

“He really prepares me mentally,” Sara McClanahan said. “If I’m nervous, he can relate because he’s been through it all.”

McClanahan is in her third season as a varsity regular, and is one of 13 underclassmen suiting up for the Bears.

“We don’t look at our players as seniors, eighth-graders, or anything in between,” Bears coach Shawn Reid said.

Thursday’s win over Breck marks the fourth straight time the Bears have defeated the Mustangs in the Class 1A, Section 5 finals.

“You don’t get tired of it, but my gosh you lose years of your life going through a Breck versus Blake game,” Reid said with a laugh. 

Senior forward and Ms. Hockey finalist Carly Bullock opened the scoring for Blake, tying the game 1-1 after Breck junior forward Grace Zumwinkle scored shorthanded to give the Mustangs (23-5-0) a 1-0 lead.

Senior defender Cheyenne Harris scored Breck’s second goal, and Blake’s freshman defender Grace Vojta scored the second goal for the Bears (23-2-2).

Reid’s first order of business after the thrilling victory was to request his players take a seat, easier said than done.

“They’re excited,” Reid said with a laugh. “I had a few things I wanted to say. It was an incredible game.”

Senior defender and co-captain Sylvie Wallin is in her fourth varsity season, and may be the most excited of the team for the sheer fact her career as a Bear stays alive.

“I just can’t imagine not playing Blake girls’ hockey,” Wallin said, breaking into a smile. “It’s my senior season, and I’d just be crushed if we didn’t make it to State.”