Edina Skates Past Eden Prairie in Holiday Classic

powered in two goals within 23 seconds of the second period to bust open a tight game, which helped them breeze by rival Eden Prairie 4-1 in the final contest of the 30th annual boys hockey Holiday Classic Saturday.

The ninth-ranked Hornets and eighth-ranked Eagles fought to a 1-all tie after one period at . But the second period opened with a flurry, as Louie Nanne and Nick Leer powered in back-to-back goals.

Connor Hurley of the Hornets added a fourth goal cushion just 1:50 into the third period.

"I was happy with the team effort," said Edina head coach Curt Giles. "I think the kids all played hard. Everybody played and everybody played hard. We know it was a good team win for us against an excellent hockey team so I was happy with the team effort.

"The thing with these kids is you've just got to keep them going in the right direction, keep them going north and south and they're pretty good," added Giles.

Bo Brauer got the Hornets on the scoreboard with a first-periord shot past Eden Prairie goalie Derrick LaCombe.

"I think we just played really well as a team," said Edina junior defenseman Hayden Anderson. "We moved the puck well, we were fast and we put the puck in the net.

Edina junior goalie Willie Benjamin had 25 saves in the win.

Anthony Walsh, Jack Walker, Conner Hurley, Tim Spicola, Dylan Malmquist and Ryan Hatch had assists for the Hornets. Edina outshot the Eagles 34-26.

THe Hornets went 3-0 in the tournament, with a 4-3 win in the opening round Thursday against No. 6 Grand Rapids and then a 4-1 win over Elk River/Zimmerman in Friday's game.

Edina, now 7-1 on the season, is off until a game against No. 10 Blaine Dec. 26 in the Schwan Cup.

"We're winning games, but we want to improve," said Anderson. "I think just overall play as a team, getting better every day."

Eden Prairie fell to 4-1-1 on the season.