In this week's Patch Pictures Column, follow the Minnetonka Skippers Girls Hockey Team on their journey to becoming .
Saturday night's victory meant that for the first time in school history, Minnetonka is atop the girls hockey mountain.
“It’s been incredible to watch and be part of,” senior Rachel Ramsey said. “We’ve been working to get here and we finally got here.”
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And to win it all, the Skippers (29-1-1) had to go through their arch-rival and virtual twin Edina, which mirrored Minnetonka’s grit, strong defense and elite goaltending throughout the season.
The teams played twice this year, with the Skippers winning 1-0 and tying 2-2. Naturally, the state title game came down to a tie with seconds remaining in regulation.
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With only 39 seconds left and both teams preparing for overtime, Sophomore Amy Petersen seized the moment—something her coach said he knew she had the potential to do.
“Amy is one of the smartest hockey players I’ve ever coached,” Johnson said. “Offensively she’s a playmaker—she hustles and she can finish. She is a player that is a huge factor in our team’s success.”
Senior goalie Julie Friend made 20 saves on the night, helping the Skippers deny Edina the title in it’s second consecutive state finals appearance.
She said winning the state championship in that way against that team only makes the accomplishment more surreal.
“It was amazing. I can’t even explain it to you," Friend said.
The next day Friend was named the Let's Play Hockey Senior Goalie of the Year.
