Raiders senior goalie Brittany Boss knew Minnetonka was going to make a furious attempt to score a tying goal in the final 4 minutes of Wednesday’s matchup with Roseville at the Pagel Hockey Center, but the belief that her team would win the game never wavered.
“I knew my team was in front of me,” Boss said. “We knew we had this game since we were (leading). I went into (the last 4 minutes) having confidence and just kept my head up.”
Boss did more than keep her head up. She made nine saves in the third period to help the Raiders upset the Skippers 3-2. Roseville is unranked in the latest Class 2A coaches poll, while Minnetonka is No. 5.
Boss finished the game with 32 saves, a total that matched her jersey number, and now has 115 on the season.
“No. 32 in net was our best player tonight, and she needed to be,” Raiders coach Vic Brodt said. “And that was probably the difference (in the game).”
Boss’ big performance against the Skippers helped preserve the victory, while Roseville’s ability to take advantage of the small opportunities allowed the Raiders to build their lead.
Senior forward Danielle Lucker scored on two power plays, recording her first goals of the season.
“I feel like it’s been bundling up in me," she said. "And I was so excited about that first goal. I used that confidence and scored another one."
Lucker, who worked her way up through Roseville's junior varsity program to join the varsity as a junior, solidified her role on the team after focusing on improving her game in the offseason. She dedicating time to doing extra dry-land workouts and also started eating healthy.
“She worked her tail off this summer because she wanted to be a part of the team,” Brodt said. “She was our most improved player from last year.
“She’s a senior, so there’s a sense of urgency, and it was really nice to see her put a couple pucks in net tonight,” he added.
The entire Raiders bench waited for the final buzzer to sound before rushing the ice to celebrate the victory. They continued the revelry in the locker room, where they blared music and danced.
It was an outpouring of emotion that came from the “heart,” a word the team has embraced this season. Heart is also where Roseville gets its passion and energy, Boss said.
The type of passion and energy the Raiders needed to defeat the Skippers for a victory that also hits close to Brodt’s heart. He remembers when Minnetonka upset Roseville 3-0 in the championship game of the 2012 Class 2A state tournament.
“It was nice for this team to pull together because we’re not the most talented team, but we’re gritty and we’re hard workers. And that showed tonight,” Brodt said.
