Minnetonka Rolls Past Gentry Academy in Class AA State Quarterfinal

Minnetonka Rolls Past Gentry Academy in Class AA State Quarterfinal

By Robert Brent

Cash Hardie and Liam Schultz each scored twice while Chase Jerdee shut the door in a 5–0 Skippers victory at the Minnesota State Tournament.

One of the most anticipated events of the Minnesota hockey calendar kicked off Thursday morning with the first game of the Class AA State championships. The top-seeded Minnetonka Skippers took on the #8-seeded Gentry Academy, who is coming off a Cinderella run in the section tournament.

The Skippers would ultimately emerge victorious in a game that displayed their completeness as a team. Minnetonka played well in every phase of the game, generating great scoring chances and completely stifling any of Gentry Academy’s offense.

Minnetonka controlled the pace of play early, playing excellent defense and sustaining offensive pressure in the Gentry Academy zone. The Skippers’ defense is their calling card with two defenders (Tate Hardacre and Danny Browning) earning Reed Larson Award nominations and their goaltender Chase Jerdee being a Brimsek award finalist.

The Skippers offense in this game was predicated on shots from long range to create rebounds and second-chance opportunities. That strategy paid off when Minnetonka broke the ice on a rebound. Mason Schemenaur put a shot on goal from the top of the circle and it kicked to a waiting Cash Hardie who scored the game’s opening goal.

Minnetonka is hard to beat when they have the lead, with the team going 21-1 when scoring first. The Skippers took that lead into the first intermission, along with a 15-4 shots on goal advantage.

Minnetonka added to their lead early in the second period on a terrific shot from Liam Schultz. Schultz roofed a shot on a sharp-angle chance from the bottom of the circle to give the Skippers a 2-0 lead.

The Skippers added to that lead minutes later when Cash Hardie scored on a drive that started below the goal line. Minnetonka’s three goals were particularly impressive because they showed the team’s versatility. Every goal was scored on a radically different play.

Cooper Rannow added another Minnetonka goal shortly after off of a bounce of a body out front. The 4-0 score line held throughout the remainder of the period, leaving Gentry Academy needing to come up with some magic to turn the tides in the third period.

Minnetonka scored early in the third period after a pass from behind the net found Liam Schultz open in the slot. Schultz put the puck home for his second goal of the game. Gentry Academy goaltender Gavin Grose appeared to be hurt on the play and was replaced by Roef Roller.

Gentry Academy succeeded at generating some chances towards the end of the game, but the Skippers goaltender stayed sharp despite the limited workload. The Stars had a power play opportunity at the end of the game, but still couldn’t break through.

Minnetonka took the victory 5-0 with Chase Jerdee earning a 12-save shutout. With the victory, the Skippers earned a spot in the semifinals against the winner of the upcoming Rosemount and Grand Rapids game.

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