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Girls Hockey Update 2/19/17

By Tonka Girls Hockey, 02/19/17, 12:00PM CST

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The Minnetonka Girls Hockey team just missed advancing to the Class AA State Tournament

Link to Article:
http://www.minnetonkaschools.org/activities/mhs-athletics/sports-update

2015-16 Record: 21-4-2

Conference: Lake

Section 2AA Tournament: February 10, 14, 17

Class AA State Tournament: February 22-25 @ Xcel Energy Center

State Tournament Appearances: 2011 (AA Champion), 2012 (AA Champion), 2013 (AA Champion), 2015 (AA Runnerup)

Coach: Eric Johnson

The Minnetonka Girls Hockey team just missed advancing to the Class AA State Tournament with a 2-1 double-overtime loss to Eden Prairie in the Section 2AA championship on Feb. 17 at Ridder Arena.

The No. 2 seed Skippers (14-10-4) took a 1-0 lead in the second period on a goal from senior defender Sarah McDonnell. She was assisted on the play by freshman defender Maggie Nicholson and sophomore defender Kailey Langefels. The No. 1 seed Eagles then tied the game in the third period and – after a scoreless first overtime – scored just 1:20 into the second overtime to advance to state.

It was no surprise that the game was decided in overtime. On Jan. 10, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie played to a 3-3 tie at Eden Prairie. In their second meeting on Jan. 28 at Pagel Activity Center, the two teams played to a 1-1 tie. In the Class AA state team rankings released Feb. 15, Eden Prairie was ranked 5th while Minnetonka was ranked 7th.

The Skippers advanced to the section title game with an impressive win over No. 3 seed Shakopee on Feb. 14. The teams were tied 1-1 after one period before Minnetonka exploded for 3 goals in the 3rd period.

Junior forward Chloe Lewis scored in the second period while McDonnell, sophomore forward Molly McHugh and Lewis scored in the third. Freshman forward Lacey Martin had a pair of assists. Junior forward Madison Fleming, senior forward Taylor Johnson and junior forward Chloe Behounek also had assists. In goal, senior Elizabeth Kubicek had 33 saves.

In the section quarterfinals on Feb. 10, Minnetonka defeated No. 7 seed Bloomington Jefferson 4-0. Senior defender Camille von Steinbergs scored in the first period while sophomore forward Anna Koethe, Lewis and von Steinbergs added third-period goals.

Lewis also had 2 assists along with McDonnell, while Koethe, Fleming and junior forward Grace Hoelscher added assists. Kubicek had 15 saves.

Minnetonka entered section play coming off tough games against state-ranked opponents. The Skippers netted a 5-4 overtime victory over Lakeville South on Saturday, Feb. 4, and a 4-1 loss to Blaine in the regular season finale on Tuesday, Feb. 7. Lakeville South was ranked No. 9 in the Class AA state rankings while Blaine was ranked No. 4. Minnetonka was ranked No. 7 in the Feb. 1 poll.

Through 25 regular season games, senior forward Emma Bigham led the Skippers with 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) while Nicholson had 21 points (7 goals, 14 assists), Langefels had 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists) and von Steinbergs had 17 points (5 goals, 12 assists).

Other top scorers are McDonnell (15 points), Fleming (14 points), junior forward Bella Bertogliat (12), Lewis (12), Hoelscher (12), McHugh (11) and Martin (9).

Kubicek, one of 5 finalists for the state's Senior Goalie of the Year award, allowed only 32 goals in 20 games, a 1.67 goals against average.

Over the last 6 seasons, Minnetonka has established itself as a perennial state power under the direction of Coach Eric Johnson. The Skippers have won 3 Class AA state championships and finished as runner-up once during that span.

The Skippers are led by senior leaders Bigham, von Steinbergs, Johnson, McDonell and Kubicek.

Skippers Notes: Minnetonka won the Mid-Winter Meltdown tournament in Eden Prairie over winter break. The Skippers defeated Chaska/Chanhassen, Benilde-St. Margaret's and Roseau en route to the championship. Minnetonka outscored its opponents 11-2 in the tournament.