With less than thirty seconds to go in the second period, Hopkins goaltender Erin O'Neil slid across the crease to make a crucial save on a 3-on-2. 

A last-minute goal could have been a momentum boost for Minnetonka going into the final period, but just as she did all night long, O’Neill shut the door on the scoring chance. The senior goalie, who also serves as a co-captain, helped lead the No. 3 Royals past the No. 1 Skippers 2-0 on Tuesday night at Minnetonka Ice Center. 

“She saved us so much,” senior Nina Rodgers said. “A lot of the time we weren’t backchecking very well or we were gassed, and she really just stopped what we needed to be stopped and kept us in the game.”

The Royals held a two-goal lead going into the third period, thanks in part to both O’Neill and a gritty defensive effort. 

"We did a nice job letting Erin see the puck, but we also worked really hard in front of her," Hopkins coach Vin Paolucci said. "We blocked some shots and did what we needed to do defensively, but as always, we know what we’re going to get out of her so it’s always fun,”  

O’Neill, who has committed to play hockey at Boston University next year, wouldn’t take too much of the credit herself either. 

“I played pretty well, but my defense in front of me did a great job of blocking shots in front of me so that was awesome. It was just a really good game all around for us,” she said. 

Rodgers, who also serves as a co-captain for the No. 3-ranked Royals, scored the second goal, and it came at a point when Minnetonka was getting a majority of the scoring chances. Coming out of the corner, Rodgers slipped by a defender and fired it over the blocker shoulder of Skippers goalie Hannah Ehresmann. 

“It was just a hard fought shift overall,” Rodgers said. 

Rodgers, who committed this fall to the University of Minnesota, displayed her stellar stickhandling and scoring ability against a tough defensive Skippers team. There was always a chance of a goal when the puck was on the senior’s stick Tuesday. 

“She’s really starting to play well again. Her energy and effort are both better, and when you combine those two, you get a really good player,” Paolucci said. 

Hopkins plays in the toughest conference in the state, with all five Lake Conference teams ranked in the top ten (and four in the top five). On top of that, Minnetonka has won three straight state titles in Class 2A. The kind of performances that were displayed Tuesday night that are needed every game for the Royals. 

“In our conference, there are no nights off," Paolucci said. "The coaches coach well, the players play well, it’s a fun challenge. Every night’s a challenge and we look forward to it.”  

– Will Jarvis