Minnetonka vs Chanhassen Preview
The section semifinals have similar energy to the NCAA Quarter Finals. Many players and coaches talk about the NCAA Quarter Finals as the game on the brink. One win away from the big stage of Championship Weekend. One win away from knowing your will be one your program remembers for years to come. In my opinion, the section semifinals are that game on the brink. One win away from the section championship. One win away from the big stage of the championship.
Tonight’s matchup between Minnetonka and Chanhassen not only puts both teams on the brink for this season, but in a match up that has historical implications, these players are competing for even more than a shot at the Section 2 title.
Chanhassen’s Carter Van Holland celebrates with the sideline after scoring. Photo: JP Fischer
Chanhassen travel to Minnetonka earlier this season for their first regular season matchup against the Skippers since 2015. Minnetonka game out the gates ready to make a statement, getting to an earlier 3-1 lead over the Storm. Chanhassen would eventually battle their way back and tie the game heading into half time. That was when Junior Attackman Dax Bush of Chanhassen decided to put his team on his back and blow the game wide open. Chanhassen would go on to win that game 11-4 with Bush leading the way with 7 goals.
While Minnetonka was able to jump out to an early lead in this game, their offense struggled down the line, only producing 10 SOG in the entire game. Minnetonka netminder Sean Carroll led the effort for the Skippers, recording 14 saves in the game and ensuring his team had a shot to comeback until the bitter end.
Minnetonka’s Sean Carroll clears the ball following a save. Photo: JP Fischer
While the final score of game one in this series may indicate a blow out win for the Storm, do not count out Minnetonka in tonight’s rematch. The Skippers have unfortunately been on the losing end of some close, even controversial, games this season, but they have been on a roll their last two games. Scoring 34 goals in their Section 2 playoffs games, the Skippers offense looks ready to make a statement tonight.
Minnetonka’s Ben Schuster jumps over two Chanhassen defenders to get the shot off. Photo: JP Fischer
Chanhassen, however, is on a run of their own, winning their last four games in a row, and by an average margin of 7.25 goals. The Section 2 #1 seed will certainly lean on players like Dax Bush and Carter Van Holland to lead the way.
Chanhassen’s Dax Bush celebrates after scoring. Photo: JP Fischer
Despite their long hiatus in playing the regular season, these two teams do have storied history with each other, particularly in the section playoffs. Since 2014, Minnetonka leads the series 3-2 in the playoffs, with all three wins coming in the section finals from 2016 to 2018. Chanhassen, however, is undefeated versus Minnetonka in the section semifinals.
While we have no way to predict who will come out on top tonight, we can be sure one thing: this match up will certainly add another chapter to an already thrilling Section 2 rivalry.
