11/17/2009 10:16:00 AM Girls' hockey preview: Ramsey leads Skippers with lofty goals
By Matt Thomas
The Minnetonka girls' hockey team has never advanced to the state tournament since girls' hockey became an officially sponsored sport by the Minnesota State High School League in 1995. This year's Skippers squad hopes to change that fact.
After posting 16 victories and a 2-1 loss to Edina in the section final last year, the Skippers have an abundance of talent returning this season to hopefully get the team over the hump.
"We had a real solid season last year and met an Edina team that was probably equally as talented as we were and we lost by one goal," Skippers head coach Eric Johnson said. "We certainly have it as a goal to go as far as we can in the playoffs this year."
The Skippers return a majority of their key goal scorers from last year including junior Rachel Ramsey. Ramsey scored 44 points while playing forward during her freshman year and then scored 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) last year while playing mostly as a defenseman.
"Rachel is a very hard worker and she has worked hard every off-season to improve her game," Johnson said. "She'll probably play a little bit of both forward and defense this year depending on where the team needs her most. That speaks to what a versatile player she is and that she's willing to do whatever she needs to do to help the team."
At the forward position the Skippers return senior Jena Wilder and juniors Paige Baldwin and Carolyn Draayer.
Wilder recorded seven goals and 10 assists last year while Baldwin and Draayer each chipped in with eight goals apiece last year.
"Jena has worked very hard on her game in the summer and she's picked up a step and is quicker this year," Johnson said. "Carolyn shoots the puck well and has a knack for scoring around the net."
At defense, the Skippers will rely heavily on seniors Brenna Flatley and Natalie Berg. Flatley was the team's second leading goal scorer last year with 10 goals and 13 assists. Berg returns after posting five goals and four assists last season.
"Brenna and Natalie are very solid blue-liners who have some offensive punch," Johnson said. "We look for them to be a big part of our offense too."
Flatley and Berg will be playing in front of junior goaltender Julie Friend. Friend had an excellent sophomore season last year when she allowed only 31 goals in 23 games.
"It's going to be tough for her to replicate those numbers. She's going to have a little bit different defensive core in front of her and our schedule might be a little tougher than it was last year," Johnson said. "She's worked really hard in the off-season and she has come in looking better than she was at this time last year."
Other players on the varsity roster include seniors Caroline Bach, Shelby Tuseth and Marit Zelinsky; junior Courtney McDougal; sophomore Kira von Steinbergs; and freshman Laura Bowman, Sidney Morin, Hannah Behounek and Amy Petersen.
Johnson believes that his team will be chasing Edina and Hopkins this season in the Classic Lake Conference.
The Skippers were moved from Section 2-2A to Section 6-2A this season. That means the Skippers will have to contend with Hopkins in the section tournament, but not Edina.
"It looks as if we should be able to compete this year in 6-2A," Johnson said. "There are many good teams in that section, but we just hope to be playing our best hockey when that time rolls around."
The Skippers opened the 2009-10 season on Saturday, Nov. 14 with a 5-3 loss to the defending Class 2A state champions from Stillwater.
The Skippers led the game 2-1 midway through the first period and actually out shot the Ponies 34-27.
Draayer, Ramsey and Bowman all scored goals for the Skippers. Friend made 22 saves in the losing cause.
The Skippers play three times this week including at Breck on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Warroad on Friday, Nov. 20 and at Roseau on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The Skippers will open the Classic Lake Conference schedule on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at Wayzata.
