Sports
Boys Hockey Opens at Home Versus Burnsville
The Skippers have their home hockey opener Thursday against South Suburban Conference champion Burnsville.
MINNETONKA PATCH GAME OF THE WEEK
Boys Hockey
Minnetonka (0-0, 0-0 Lake Conference) vs. Burnsville (0-0, 0-0 South Suburban Conference)
CHEAT SHEET
SITE: Minnetonka
TIME: 7 p.m. Thursday
LAST MEETING: Burnsville defeated Minnetonka 5-4 in 2005.
ON THE LINE
The Skippers have their home opener Thursday after going on the road Tuesday. Minnetonka finished 17-8-2 last season, losing to eventual state champion Eden Prairie in the Section 6AA semifinals. They finished third in the competitive Lake Conference. Burnsville was 19-5-4 and won the South Suburban Conference title with a 15-1-2 mark. The Blaze lost to Lake Conference team Edina in the Section 2AA finals.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vinni Lettieri - Minnetonka forward
The junior had 40 points last season to pace the Skippers. He committed to Minnesota in September.
Cory Chapman – Burnsville forward
The senior is the Blaze’ top returning scorer with 50 points. He scored at least one point in 24 of 28 games, including all three postseason contests.
SKIPPERS WIN IF...
They can get solid goalkeeping from senior Matt Behounek, who backed up graduating senior Alex Glockner last season.
BLAZE WIN IF...
They can find a replacement for standout goalie Bodhi Engum, who was 16-4 last season in the nets.
