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Speed, skill and tenacity helping these Skippers standout, even by Minnetonka standards

By Drew Herron, SportsEngine, 01/19/23, 2:45PM CST

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The Skippers have displayed all three traits this season, including Thursday night in a 4-0 victory over rival Edina in a Class 2A top-5 showdown.


Minnetonka's Javon Moore (22) and Gavin Garry (15) are on their way through the neutral zone following an Edina turnover. The two each finished with a pair of points during Thursday night's 4-0 win over Edina. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

Minnetonka has a reputation for developing and assembling a team loaded with skaters, all of whom have been blessed with a mix of finely tuned skill and speed that sets them apart. 

But this year’s group is built with a depth the likes of which may have never been put together before. Perhaps this group of Skippers stands out even at Minnetonka.

Match that with the emphasis the team has placed on physicality and consistent compete level, and look out, the Skippers, ranked No. 2 in this week’s Class 2A coaches’ poll, are something to behold.


Minnetonka goalie Kaizer Nelson comes out of the net to play a puck as Edina forward Ryan Flaherty chases. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

First Report

Minnetonka rolled out a superior display of speed Thursday night at home, skating past Edina 4-0 in a Lake Conference showdown.

Minnetonka, ranked No. 2 in the latest Class 2A Let's Play Hockey poll, scored twice in the first period and twice more in the second to shape the direction of the game early on.

Junior forward Gavin Garry scored twice and linemates Hagen Burrows and Javon Moore each finished with two points as well. Burrows scored the Skippers’ third goal while Moore assisted on both of Garry’s goals.

The Skippers (14-2-0, 2-1-0) earned their fifth win in a row and have averaged 5.6 goals per game since falling to Wayzata 3-1 on Jan. 7.

Minnetonka senior goalie Kaizer Nelson earned the shutout, his fourth of the season. He also lowered his goals against average to 1.07 on the season, and improved his save percentage to .936.

No. 5-2A Edina was shutout for the third time this season, and first since November. Senior goaltender Robbie Clarkowski made 19 saves on 23 shots for Edina (10-4-1, 1-1-0).


Minnetonka forward Hagen Burrows and Edina forward Quintin Schaefer battle for the puck during the third period Thursday night at Pagel Arena. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

The MN Hockey Hub poll is for entertainment purposes only.

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