The first time around this season, it was the South Washington County Thunderbolts who scored a 12-6 win over Stillwater/Mahtomedi.

But Friday afternoon it was the host Stillwater/Mahtomedi team which knocked out the visiting Thunderbolts, winning 14-5 in the second round of varsity CI floor hockey playoffs.

With the win, Stillwater/Mahtomedi (5-3) advances to the 2023 Minnesota state adapted floor hockey tournament, held at Bloomington Jefferson High School this Friday and Saturday.

It was simply a case of way too much Stillwater offense for the Thunderbolts Friday.

Stillwater/Mahtomedi led from the start, building an early 6-1 lead and were up 8-2 after two periods. They attacked the Thunderbolts defense without letup, firing goal shot after shot at South Washington County goalie Logan Yannarrelly.

South Washington County’s defense just wasn’t a match for the Stillwater offense on this day.

 Lucas Moredock scored three goals for the Thunderbolts, while Abdi Mohamed had two.

“We’re on spring break this week so we have not been at practice, so we were a little bit rusty,” said Thunderbolts assistant coach Kelly O’Donnell, who was filling in for head coach Jeff Figlmiller for the game. “We had some people who have been out ill. It’s been a fantastic season. We have six seniors graduating this year so it will be really sad to see them go. It’s hard to believe it’s over.”

South Washington County advanced in the playoffs with an 11-2 win over Centennial/Spring Lake Park on March 2.

The Thunderbolts ended the season with a 4-6 overall record, including 1-1 in the playoffs, the team rallying for a 4-2 record after going 0-4 to start the season.

South Washington County has been a regular participant in the state floor hockey tournament with six appearances since 2015 and finishing as the state runner-up in 2018 and 2019.