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Minnetonka knocks off Shakopee to reach section title game

By Drew Herron, SportsEngine , 02/25/23, 9:45AM CST

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Three different players recorded a goal as the Skippers took down the Sabers to reach Class 2A, Section 2 championship.

Minnetonka's Sam Scheetz (21) fires off a shot in the second period.  The Skippers advance to next week's Class 2A, Section 2 final with a 3-1 win over Shakopee. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Minnetonka's Sam Scheetz (21) fires off a shot in the second period. The Skippers advance to next week's Class 2A, Section 2 final with a 3-1 win over Shakopee. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Few high school teams can move and possess the puck at such a level, but Minnetonka, which boasts perhaps the deepest collection of talent in the state, clearly stands out. 

“We work on owning the puck and dictating the pace and tempo of the play,” Minnetonka coach Sean Goldsworthy said. “This is the best puck-moving team I’ve ever had (at Minnetonka). I think it’s a testament to how unselfish this group is and how much they really, really, really like playing together.

“If I could cryo-freeze a team, this would be the one. Then I’d probably stick around another 30 years,” he joked. 

Senior forward Max Krebsbach opened the scoring on a shot from the left circle off a cross-ice feed. It was the first of three cross-ice, backdoor goals for the Skippers as they spread out and took permanent control of the zone.

Minnetonka won the races and puck battles, and it went from there.

“The forecheck starts it all,” junior wing Sam Scheetz said. “Go hard and get the puck, then keep cycling, working low and making plays.”

Scheetz scored the third Skippers’ goal of the game late in the second, following a give-and-go strike from Gavin Garry and Javon Moore. 

Shakopee (16-11) erased the shutout with a minute-and-a-half to go when Cooper Simpson scored unassisted. Sabers’ goalie Aleksi Huson finished with 58 saves.

No. 2 seed Minnetonka advances to the Class 2A, Section 2 final Thursday evening at Braemar against the winner of top-seed Chanhassen and Eden Prairie. 

Minnetonka celebrates taking a three goal lead. The Skippers secured points from eight players in Saturday's 3-2 win at Braemar Ice Arena. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Minnetonka celebrates taking a three goal lead. The Skippers secured points from eight players in Saturday's 3-2 win at Braemar Ice Arena. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

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Shakopee goaltender Aleksi Huson and defender Carson Steinhoff (27) hold off Minnetonka's Ashton Schultz (11) Huson made 59 saves for the Sabers in a 3-1 loss. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Shakopee goaltender Aleksi Huson and defender Carson Steinhoff (27) hold off Minnetonka's Ashton Schultz (11) Huson made 59 saves for the Sabers in a 3-1 loss. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

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