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Minnetonka throttles St. Thomas Academy in nightcap at The Opener

By John Wagner, SportsEngine, 11/23/18, 7:00AM CST

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The Skippers opened their season and began their Class 2A title defense surrendering just one goal to the Cadets.

Minnetonka junior Mack Motzko tries to find space behind the St. Thomas Academy net. Motzko had a goal for the Skippers in their 4-1 victory over the Cadets. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Minnetonka junior Mack Motzko tries to find space behind the St. Thomas Academy net. Motzko had a goal for the Skippers in their 4-1 victory over the Cadets. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Minnetonka's Charlie Glockner shuts down the short side on a St. Thomas Academy shot Friday night. The Skippers opened the season with a 4-1 victory over the Cadets. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Minnetonka's Charlie Glockner shuts down the short side on a St. Thomas Academy shot Friday night. The Skippers opened the season with a 4-1 victory over the Cadets. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

The front of the sweater still says "M" for Minnetonka, but this is not the same team that won last year's Class 2A boys’ hockey state title and the Skippers know that.

Despite the roster shuffling from one season to the next, the result Friday in Minnetonka's season opener against St. Thomas Academy was similar to last year: an impressive 4-1 victory the first day of The Opener at the Bloomington Ice Garden.

The Skippers outshot St. Thomas 44-10.

Minnetonka coach Sean Goldsworthy stated his team can improve as the season progresses.

First Report

Defending Class 2A state champion Minnetonka put together an impressive performance in beating St. Thomas Academy 4-1 in the second game of The Opener Friday at the Bloomington Ice Garden.

The Skippers, ranked No. 1 in the Class 2A preseason coaches’ poll, outshot the Cadets 44-10 in the contest to win the season opener for both schools.

Minnetonka led 2-0 after the first period, outshooting the Cadets 16-1 and scoring even-strength goals by Mack Motzko and Braedon Lacomy.

St. Thomas Academy got on the board when Will Soderling scored at 6:53 of the second period, but Minnetonka re-established its two-goal lead when Jack Bayless found the back of the net at the 12:18 mark.

The Skippers (1-0) outshot No. 5-2A St. Thomas Academy 13-2 in the third period and finished off the win with a goal by Griffin Streeter.

Cadets goaltender Muzzy Donohue kept his team in the contest by making 40 saves, while Charlie Glockner stopped nine shots for the Skippers.

St. Thomas Academy (0-1) will face Cloquet-Esko-Carlton Saturday at 2 p.m., while Minnetonka will face off against Lakeville North at 7 p.m., with both contests at BIG to conclude The Opener.

St. Thomas Academy's Ryan O'Neill fires a shot on net against Minnetonka. The Cadets fell to the Skippers 4-1 in the season opener for both teams. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

St. Thomas Academy's Ryan O'Neill fires a shot on net against Minnetonka. The Cadets fell to the Skippers 4-1 in the season opener for both teams. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

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