Minnetonka vs Chanhassen Recap
In their sixth playoff matchup since 2014, and second matchup this season, the Minnetonka Skippers faced off against the Chanhassen Storm. Battling out for a spot in the Section 2 finals, fifth seeded Minnetonka traveled south to take the number one seed Chanhassen. Both teams came off a first-round victory, with Minnetonka knocking out their foe to the north, Buffalo, and Chanhassen taking care of business against Mound Westonka.
Chanhassen faces off against Minnetonka. Photo: JP Fischer
While this game was anticipated to be one of the best on the Monday night slate, both teams got off to a slow start. A very fast paced first quarter saw the ball move quickly back and forth as both offenses looked to find their groove. Chanhassen opened the scoring about halfway through, with Senior attackman Carter Van Holland (1G, 3A) finding Junior midfielder Nicholas Patka (1G) on the doorstep. This would end up as the only goal of the first quarter with both teams failing to convert on man-up opportunities.
Carter Van Holland celebrating after scoring. Photo: JP Fischer
Chanhassen would be sure to take advantage of their man-up chances in the second frame, opening the quarter up with a man-up goal from Junior attackman Adam Rosolanka (1G, 1A) on another assist from Van Holland. Chanhassen and Minnetonka would trade goals, with Van Holland getting on the board for his one goal of the night on an impressive shot on the run, coming up the hash from X. Minnetonka’s Senior midfielder Stephen Reddington (1G) would get the Skippers on the board with a smooth shot on the run from the midfield, burying the ball in the low corner. Chanhassen would then find themselves with a 2 minute, non-releasable man-up chance, following a big hit on the sideline of the Storm clear. The Skippers would hold strong, however, holding Chanhassen to only one goal, coming from Junior Dax Bush (4G) from Rosolanka. Tonka would win the ensuing faceoff, kill the penalty and all but bring us to the end of the first half, with the scored 4-1 Chanhassen.
Chanhassen defensive unit retakes the field after a timeout. Photo: JP Fischer
While the game was still close at half time, Chanhassen seemed primed to blow the doors wide open. Dax Bush, who scored 7 goals against Minnetonka earlier this season, quickly stretched the Storm lead out to 7-4. Meanwhile, the Chanhassen defensive unit was locking down even more, preventing any feeds from getting inside and forcing Minnetonka to rely on shots from the outside. This proved to be no problem for Chanhassen Senior goalie Grant Penttinen, who recorded 12 saves on the evening (.706 SV%). Junior attackman Aiden Moroney would add one more to the Chanhassen tally, bringing the score after three to 8-1.
Grant Penttinen looks down the field at the Chanhassen offense. Photo: JP Fischer
Minnetonka would do their best to comeback in the contest. Junior midfielder Grant Anundson (1G) would get the Skippers rally started a few minutes into the fourth quarter, followed quickly by a goal from Sophomore attackman Gabe Miller (1G). The Skippers would even bring the score to within four goals with about five minutes remaining in the game, however, they would run out of time to complete the comeback, with the final score ending 8-5 Chanhassen.
Colby Sanders clears the ball up field. Photo: JP Fischer
With this victory, Chanhassen takes the season series 2-0 over Minnetonka, and ties the playoff series at 3-3, with all three Chanhassen victories over Minnetonka coming in the section semifinals. Minnetonka ends their season 8-8, with a 4-2 record and third place finish in the Lake Conference. Chanhassen improves their season record to 14-1 and punches their ticket to the Section 2 Championship game, where they will take on Shakopee in rematch of the 2022 Section 2 Final.
