Minnetonka boys hockey shuts out Edina
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The No. 3 Minnetonka Skippers defeated the No. 5 Edina Hornets 1-0 on Saturday night at Braemar Ice Arena.
After a scoreless two periods of hockey, Minnetonka broke through in the third period as junior forward Luke Garry found the back of the net to give it the only goal of the game.
Minnetonka goalie Kaiser Nelson stopped all 21 shots he faced to keep Edina off the board.
Battle of the goalies
Coming into this game, Minnetonka had posted back-to-back shutouts against other Lake Conference opponents, and that streak was extended to three tonight.
The Skippers dominated the puck possession portion of the game. They peppered Edina goaltender Robbie Clarkowski.
“I thought [Clarkowski] played very well in the net tonight," Minnetonka coach Sean Goldsworthy said. “Especially in the second period, we had two or three key scoring chances that he made great saves on.”
The Edina goaltender stopped 32 of the 33 shots he faced tonight and kept his team in the game till the end. It was Minnetonka goaltender Nelson who stole the show though in this one. Nelson posted his third straight shutout for the Skippers and helped Minnetonka extend their win streak to 12.
“He's really stable and focused so when he doesn't see the puck for a while. He stays within himself and is always ready, and when he does see the puck, he makes the saves.” Goldsworthy said.
Nelson also got some help from the posts tonight. In the first minute of the game, an Edina forward rang one of the posts which ended up being one of the few good chances that the Hornets got. The Hornets also had an opportunity in the third period on a two on one but once again Edina hit the post.
The Lake Conference gauntlet
There is no doubt that the Lake Conference is the toughest conference in the state of Minnesota. The conference is responsible for five of the last six Class 2A state champions, which means you're playing the best teams night in and night out.
The conference currently holds three of the top five teams in the state. Minnetonka is hoping that these games versus tough teams will prepare itself for the state tournament.
“If you can get through your section and win these tough conference games, then you're ready to go win something big,” Goldsworth said. “History has told us over the past 15 years that if you can make it out of the Lake Conference, then you're prepared to win a state championship.”
The Skippers currently sit atop the conference with two games remaining on their schedule, one at home versus Eden Prairie next Thursday.
Edina will try to bounce back on the road next Friday versus St Michael Albertville.
Here is our photo gallery from the game:
Minnetonka vs. Edina
