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Minnetonka pours it on

By Michael Murakami, Lax Hub staff, 04/21/11, 12:31PM CDT

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Skippers' starting attackmen combine for 10 points in Lake Conference rout of Wayzata


Minnetonka's Chase Fisher, right, scored three goals and added an assist to lead the Skippers past Wayzata. Photo by Loren Nelson

While the cold rain brought down the temperature, the Minnetonka attack heated things up on the field.

Seven of the Skippers’ goals were scored by their starting attackmen as Minnetonka defeated Wayzata 11-5 in the Lake Conference matchup on Friday, April 22 at Wayzata High School.

“We’re pretty happy,” Minnetonka coach Aaron Olivier said. “Wayzata is obviously our archrival -- they have been forever. Anytime we can beat them and beat them on their home field we’re pretty happy about it.”

The victory was even sweeter for the Skippers after a loss to Wayzata ended Minnetonka’s 2010 season.


Minnetonka junior midfielder Stewart Utter unloads a shot past Wayzata's Mitchell Spence. Photo by Loren Nelson

“We still had a sour taste in our mouth from our loss last year when they knocked us out to go to state and our guys had this one marked on the calendar,” Olivier said.

“It feels really good,” Minnetonka senior attackman Chase Fisher said. “I was injured last year and it feels nice to come back and just get a win against them. It’s been the history of the program that we always win against these guys and we lost to them twice last year so we had a big grudge going into this one. It was fun.”

Even underclassmen understood the importance of the rivalry game.

“After last year everyone wanted to win this game, it was a big one we were looking out for,” Minnetonka junior attackman Teddy O’Reilly said. “We wanted to make sure we started out strong in the conference and we want to keep it going.”

The Skippers needed to keep ‘it’ going in the midst of freezing rain which could have hindered play. However, it was nothing new to Minnetonka.

“We tried to put it out of mind,” Olivier said of the weather. “We’ve played a couple games in this now; it’s just kind of become the norm. We’re practicing in it, playing in it and if you don’t let it affect you, it’s nothing to deal with.

“You just have to go out there and play.”

While the Skippers were able to defeat the elements, they know not to dwell in the moment.

“We’ll see these guys again at least once, if not twice,” Olivier said. “We’ll put it out of mind but enjoy it on the bus ride home and get ready for practice and our games next week.”

Skippers' attack leads the way

Minnetonka and Wayzata found themselves in a shootout during the first few minutes of the Thursday, April 21, matchup.

Goals were swapped and for a while it looked like the Lake Conference game would turn into a back-and-forth battle all the way up to the final whistle.

Until the Skippers’ starting attack took the game over.

The trio of Chase Fisher, Teddy O’Reilly and Jack Denton combined for 10 points (7 goals, 3 assists) and proved to be too much for the Wayzata defense.


Minnetonka junior attackman Teddy O'Reilly (4) celebrates a first-half goal with teammate Stewart Utter. Photo by Loren Nelson

“I love the guys -- just a bunch of warriors,” Minnetonka coach Aaron Olivier said. “A couple of small guys and then Chase Fisher, a big workhorse, it’s quite the combo to have two little shifty guys and a big guy. It was probably the first game we had this year where our attack really clicked and stepped up and played to the level we thought they could play.”

Fisher, who scored three goals and added an assist, was quick to credit his teammates.

“A lot of it was the midfield actually,” the senior attackman said. "The middies did a great job dodging it down, moving the attack, get it backside and we were just finishing the ball a lot around the crease. The midfield made the game an easy one for us.

O’Reilly and Denton also enjoyed success during the game, each contributing two goals and an assist in the victory.

“I love playing with those guys,” O’Reilly said. “I played with them all winter and it’s just a good time. We’re all really good friends, we get along well and we’ve been playing together for a long time.”

It’s safe to say the Skippers are hoping that chemistry continues as the season progresses.


Wayzata junior Eric Fong couldn't get this shot past Minnetonka goaltender Andy Homan and defenseman Dane Ameling. Photo by Loren Nelson

Disappointment and determination

As the fans headed towards the parking lot to get out of the freezing rain following Minnetonka’s 11-5 victory over Wayzata, the Trojans headed to one end of the field following the customary handshake.

The team crowded around each other and it didn’t take long to realize the coaches left the post game comments to the players.

“We didn’t say anything,” Wayzata coach Chad Herr said. “They said it all.”

The Trojans’ attitude was somber after the meeting and Herr echoed his team’s disappointment but noted it was nice to see his upperclassmen step up.

“It’s definitely a step forward for our program,” Herr said. “Senior leadership is important after a big loss like that and it shows what kind of character our team has.

“Our guys have a lot of passion for the game and they realize they didn’t come out and played with their hearts. They probably won’t be doing that again.”

With another conference game on Monday, May 9, the Trojans are already looking forward to their next meeting against Minnetonka.

“Oh yeah,” Herr said. “For sure.”

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Game Recap

Senior attackman Chase Fisher scored three goals and had one assist as Minnetonka coasted to a 11-5 victory over Lake Conference and section rival Wayzata on Thursday, April 21.

Fisher's linemates, Teddy O'Reilly and Jack Denton, added two goals and an assist each as the starting attackmen for the Skippers posted 10 points (7 goals, 3 assists).

Junior midfielder Stewart Utter contributed two goals and senior midfielder Parker Weinstock had a goal and an assist also for Minnetonka.

The Skippers spread out their scoring throughout the rainy game registering three goals in the first three quarters and putting in two more in the fourth.

Wayzata senior midfielder John Michael Coon scored twice in the fourth quarter after the Trojans were held scoreless in the second and third quarters.

Minnetonka will look to stay unbeaten when it travels to face Edina on Tuesday, April 26, for a 7:30 Lake Conference game.

Up next for Wayzata will be a home game on Monday, April 25, when the Trojans host Woodbury at 6 p.m.


Minnetonka senior Chase Fisher. Photo by Loren Nelson

Three Stars

1. Chase Fisher, Minnetonka
Not necessarily a speedy attackman but a quick dodger and hard finisher, Fisher scored three goals and also had an assist. The senior was able to dodge to get his hands free and had no problem unloading his strong shot.

2. Teddy O'Reilly, Minnetonka
O'Reilly showed what a constant threat he can be in the offensive zone. The junior attackman notched two goals and added an assist and was strong defensively when Wayzata attempted to clear the ball.

3. Jack Denton, Minnetonka
Another starting attackman for Minnetonka who played as crucial of a role as his two linemates, O'Reilly and Fisher. Denton, a junior, was able to consistently find open space and contributed two goals and an assist.

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