Minnetonka Rallies Past Rosemount in Overtime to Reach AA Championship

Minnetonka Rallies Past Rosemount in Overtime to Reach AA Championship

Minnetonka defeated Rosemount 4-3 in overtime Friday night to advance to the Class AA state championship game.

The 2026 Class AA Tournament semifinal round kicked off Friday night with a matchup between top-seeded Minnetonka and fourth-seeded Rosemount. The Irish were looking to secure their place in the AA championship for the first time in program history, while Minnetonka hasn’t been to the final since they took home the title in 2023.

Minnetonka won the game in thrilling fashion, sending the Skippers back to the state championship game.

Rosemount got off to a fantastic start and scored the contest’s opening tally just 2:18 into the game. The goal came on a rebound after a shot on a 2-on-1 rush hit the post, but Peter DeGroot was there to clean up the play for an early Irish lead.

The Irish hit the post again later in the period, but this time the puck stayed out of the net to maintain a tie game.

Other than the opening goal, the game was remarkably close with both teams registering 12 shots on goal to close out a thrilling first period.

The Irish added to their lead early in the second period with a goal by Connor Schubert. Minnetonka goaltenders Chase Jerdee didn’t seem to track the puck on a long-range shot along the wall.

The Irish’s two-goal lead didn’t last for long, as the Skippers broke the ice on their account with a goal from Ethan Sturgis. Sturgis scored the goal on a close-range shot that beat Drew Sherman.

Rosemount had the opportunity to restore their two-goal lead on a power play chance when the Skippers were called for roughing. Cade Sherman converted on the chance, giving the Irish a 3-1 lead.

Once again, that didn’t last long as the Skippers refused to fall behind in the game. Mason Schemenaur scored at 7:49 of the second period, bringing Minnetonka back to within one score. The goal came on a nice backhand that Schemenaur roofed over the Irish goaltender.

The Skippers earned a chance to tie the game in the last four minutes of the second period, but the Irish managed to hold off the Minnetonka extra-attacking opportunity. 

Rosemount skated into the third period up a goal, but Minnetonka got the lion’s share of chances and possession. The Skippers outshot the Irish 17-6 in the second period. Drew Sherman made 27 saves on 29 shots in his first game in the tournament.

Minnetonka tied the game early in the third period with Ethan Sturgis’ second goal of the game. Sturgis redirected a shot from the point past Sherman to knot things up at three goals apiece.

Neither team could find a lead the rest of the third period, sending the matchup to overtime. The game was the second in a row played by the Irish to make it an extra time.

Unlike the previous game, the Irish were not victorious. Minnetonka emerged victorious early in the extra frame on a goal from Cash Hardie. Hardie scored on a shot from the faceoff circle, beating the Rosemount goaltender far-side.

The win for Minnetonka set up a championship matchup between the winner of Edina and Moorhead.

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