Phil Katopodis Puts Skippers Up 3-1 vs Top Ranked East


The #2AA Skippers showed up, at least physically, on Thursday to play the #5AA Edina Hornets and went home on the losing end of a 3-2 score. Then, on Saturday afternoon in front of the largest crowd of the year, Tonka completely dismantled #1AA and previously undefeated Duluth East, by a score of 9-3.

Thursday evening, the Pagel Center was packed once again for one of the great rivalries in hockey, Minnetonka vs Edina. The Skippers had beaten the Hornets by a score of 6-0 earlier in the year at the Xcel Center. From the very outset of this game however, it was the Hornets who had more jump in their step, more swagger and were playing together as a team. Edina used an aggressive forecheck, as they have in the past, to disrupt the passing lanes and wear down the Skippers in their defensive zone. Sam Rothstein got the Skippers first goal which came in the second period, and was assisted by Jack Ramsey and Erik Baskin. With Tonka down 2-1 late in the same period, Charlie Huminski crashed the net and was rewarded with his first varsity goal to tie the game. Charlie was assisted by Erik Baskin and Michael Prochno. Even though Tonka was outshooting the Hornets by a wide margin over the last two periods,     the Skippers were not playing with the same intensity you would have expected against a team like Edina. Edina scored the winning goal midway through the final period to hand Tonka their second defeat of the season.

Saturday afternoon was part of Hockey Day Minnesota and the largest crowd of the year saw a rematch of #1AA Duluth East and #2AA Minnetonka. Duluth East embarrassed the Skippers in the championship game at the Schwan's Cup Tournament in December. But, much to the credit of the players and coaches, the Skippers came out of the tunnel a very different team, and you could see the focus and intensity even in warm ups. Tonka played outstanding two way hockey, getting the puck in deep and had very few neutral zone turnovers.

The Skippers scored early and often Saturday afternoon with Max Coatta scoring 4 goals, and most of them being one timers in front the Duluth East goaltender. Vinni Lettieri spent most of the afternoon doing the heavy lifting, as he assisted on most of Coatta's goals and also added a goal of his own in the third period. Tonka's first two lines completely dominated play the entire game and the large crowd witnessed some of the prettiest goals of season, goals which the Duluth East goaltenders had no chance of stopping. Erik Baskin and Sam Rothstein also had big games with Erik contributing 2 goals and an assist and Sam had a goal and 3 assists. One of the highlight goals was by Phil Katopodis, as he went around the Greyhound defenseman and scored glove side in the first period. Matt Behounek stopped 33 of 36 shots, with 2 of the goals coming on the Duluth East power play, which is one of the most potent in the state. Matt avenged his only loss of the season and is now 8-1 on the season.

The Skippers schedule doesn't get any easier as they play host to the Wayzata  Trojans on Thursday night, and then travel to Eden Prairie Saturday night.

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Skippers Continue To Roll

 

With Big Wins Against

 

Hopkins, Benilde and Holy Angels

 

Moving Record to 15-1

 

 

The #2AA Skippers improved their record to 15-1 with wins over
Hopkins, Benilde-St. Margaret's, and Holy Angels this past week. Tonka
was able to score a total of 18 goals during this three game stretch,
while giving up only 4 goals.

Tuesday evening, Tonka traveled to Hopkins to take on the Royals at
the Hopkins Pavilion. This arena has had a history of not being very
kind to the Skippers over the years, but Vinni Lettieri took matters
into his own hands scoring a goal in each period and ending with a
total 4 goals. Defensemen Michael Prochno and Jimmy Schuldt each
contributed 3 assists in helping to lead Tonka to an 8-0 victory over
the Royals. Also scoring for the Skippers were Connor Thie, Jack
Ramsey, Sam Rothstein and Justin Bader. The Tonka power play was
especially potent as the Skippers converted on four of seven
opportunities. Paul Ciaccio stopped all 13 shots, to record the shut
out victory.

On Thursday evening, the #6AA Red Knights of Benilde-St. Margaret's
paid a visit to the Pagel Center. Early in the year, the game against
Benilde-St. Margaret's was circled on the calendar. The Pagel Center
was packed and the Tonka band helped to bring a playoff type
atmosphere to the rink. This game showcased two of the quickest teams
in the state and they didn't disappoint the large crowd. Skipper
goaltender Matt Behounek was outstanding in the first period, as he
stopped several Red Knight quality shots. The score was tied 2-2 after
the first period, but if not for Behounek, the Skippers would have
found themselves down by several goals as Benilde had numerous scoring
chances. Erik Baskin and Sam Rothstein scored for Tonka to keep the
game tied after one period. The second period had the same non stop
action as the first, with the Skippers scoring the only goal. Erik
Baskin scored his second goal of the game on a nice pass from Sam
Rothstein. With Tonka up by a single goal entering the third period,
the Skippers put the game out of reach with Tommy Vannelli and Connor
Thie scoring to give Tonka a 5-3 victory. Matt Behounek played one of
his best games of the season, against a very good Benilde team, and
was the outstanding player of the game. Benilde fired a season high 34
shots on Matt. Behounek improved to 7-1 and a .904 save percentage on
the season.

On Saturday night, an overmatched Holy Angels team left the Pagel
Center with the Skippers winning their 15th game of the year, by a
score of 7-1. Tonka fired 42 shots against Holy Angels, while only
giving up 11 shots. Vinni Lettieri had a hat trick and an assist to
lead the Skippers in scoring. Eirk Baskin, who has significantly
picked up his scoring pace over the past few weeks, found the back of
the net twice during the third period, and Sam Rothstein added 3
assists. Paul Ciaccio saved 10 of the 11 shots he faced and remained
undefeated at 8-0, with a 1.17 goals against average.

Tonka has two games this week and they will be tested as they face the
#5AA Edina Hornets on Thursday evening, and then have a rematch with
the undefeated #1AA Duluth East Greyhounds on Saturday afternoon. Both
of the above games are at the Pagel Activity Center.

 

   

 

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 Senior Defenseman


Joe Schuldt Commits


To Michigan Tech

 

Former Net Minder
 
 Jimmy Kruger Verbally

Commits to Dartmouth



----------------------------------------
Minnetonka Skipper Lettieri

Commits to The Gophers

Games
00 - 11/24/11 Alumni Game - Thurs 9:00am@Pagel
01 - 11/29/11 Apple Valley - Tues 8:00pm @AV Sports Center	6-0 W
02 - 12/01/11 Burnsville - Thurs 7:00pm@Pagel	7-3 W
03 - 12/03/11 Centennial - Sat 7:00pm@Pagel	2-1 W
04 - 12/08/11 Rosemount - Thurs 7:00pm@Rosemount	9-0 W
05 - 12/15/11 Jefferson - Thurs 7:00pm@Pagel	6-1 W
06 - 12/17/11 Hibbing - Sat 7:30pm@Hibbing	3-1 W
07 - 12/20/11 Armstrong - Tues 7:00pm@Plymouth	9-2 W
08 - 12/22/11 Stillwater - Thurs 7:00pm@Pagel	8-1 W
09 - 12/26/11 Hill Murray - Mon 5:30pm@Ridder Arena	7-3 W
10 - 12/27/11 Edina - Tues @Xcel Center	6-0 W
11 - 12/28/11 Duluth East - Weds 8:00pm@Xcel	2-6 L
12 - 01/03/12 Eagan - Tues 7:00pm@Pagel	4-2 W
13 - 01/06/12 Moorhead - Fri 8:00pm@Moorhead	5-3 W
14 - 01/10/12 Hopkins - Tues 7:00pm@Hopkins	8-0 W
15 - 01/12/12 Benilde - Thurs 7:00pm@Pagel	5-3 W
16 - 01/14/12 Holy Angels 7:00pm@Pagel	7-1 W
17 - 01/19/12 Edina - Thurs 7:00pm@Pagel	2-3 L
18 - 01/21/12 Duluth East - Sat 1:30pm@Lake Minnetonka	9-3 W
19 - 01/26/12 Wayzata - Thurs 7:00pm@Pagel	5-1 W
20 - 01/28/12 Eden Prairie - Sat 7:00pm@Eden Prairie	2- 4 L
21 - 02/04/12 Edina - Sat 7:00pm@Braemar
22 - 02/09/12 Hopkins - Thurs 7:00pm@Pagel
23 - 02/11/12 Wayzata - Sat 2:30pm@Plymouth
24 - 02/16/12 Eden Prairie - Thurs 7:00pm@Pagel
25 - 02/18/12 Buffalo - Sat 3:00pm@Buffalo