14U Fusion repeats as state champ

BOZEMAN — The Flathead Fusion 14U girls hockey team captured its second consecutive state championship on Sunday, besting the top-ranked and undefeated Glasgow Ice Dogs in double overtime in the title game.

In the four years of 14U hockey in Montana, the Fusion won the state title three times and finished second once.

The Fusion trailed early in the championship game, but Kenzie Baker and Nya Barber-Castro netted goals to force overtime.

After one five-minute overtime period failed to produce a winner, Lexi Kersten sent home a goal with three minutes left in the second overtime to give Flathead the victory and the championship.

The title matchup versus Glasgow wasn’t the only dramatic game of the tournament for the Fusion, though.

Baker netted a game-winner in the third period versus the Bozeman Ice Dogs on Friday and also scored with 9.2 seconds remaining to give the Fusion a 2-1 victory over the Missoula Bruins in the semifinals.

Baker led the way with six goals on the weekend. Liz Spradlin added two goals and three assists.

Barber-Castro, the championship game MVP, scored three goals and assisted on another in the tournament.

Goalie Courtney Klemann saved 67 of 73 shots on goal over three games in net.