The Bismarck girls hockey team’s North Dakota dominance has reached a full two years.
The Blizzard scored four times in the second period in knocking off West Fargo 4-1 on Saturday in the state championship game at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
“I think we peaked at the right time and played our best hockey of the year this weekend,” said Bismarck sophomore forward Britta Curl, the state’s leading scorer.
Bismarck won a second-straight state title and third in the past four years. The Blizzard, 23-3-0, haven’t lost to a North Dakota opponent since losing to the Packers in the 2014 state championship.
“We came out and tried to establish our gameplan and keep the puck 200 feet from our net,” Bismarck coach Tim Meyer said.
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After a scoreless first period, the Blizzard scored four times in the second period to put the game away.
Junior forward Kaitlyn Page scored after West Fargo turned the puck over on a breakout pass at 1:16 of the second period.
Blizzard defender Delaney Wolf then scored twice on shots from the perimeter to make it 3-0 by the 6:18 mark of the second.
Anne Dickson finished off the Bismarck scoring with a goal at 11:46 for a 4-0 lead.
“That gave us a nice cushion and allowed us to play loose,” Meyer said. “Our forwards did a great job with net presence. I don’t think their goalie saw those two (Wolf) goals.”
After being outshot 23-12 through the first two periods, West Fargo outshot Bismarck 12-3 in the third period.
However, the Packers only picked up one goal -- a Janey Sandoval rebound goal off a Gillian Sauter shot at 7:21 of the third period.
“I thought we came out timid and nervous, and it showed,” West Fargo coach Pat Johnson said. “We have a lot of new girls who have never been here, and we’ll be better for being here.”
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Sandoval was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
“Janey’s always steady,” Johnson said. “She’s always going to give you a good game. Her game is the same all year.”
