Alexa Dobchuk's message came through loud and clear. 

Dobchuk made a statement on Tuesday night against an upset-minded Wayzata team, stopping 19 shots to keep Eden Prairie’s undefeated season intact with a 1-0 victory over the Trojans in a Lake Conference matchup at the Eden Prairie Community Center.

The Eagles, ranked No. 1 in the Class 2A coaches poll, improved to an impressive 19-0-3 overall and 5-0-1 in league play with the victory. 

Eden Prairie’s dominance this season is due in part to Dobchuk, who has emerged as one of Minnesota’s best goaltenders. 

Dobchuk’s 1.26 goals against average is the sixth-best in the state, while her 13 victories and .930 save percentage rank her among the top 18 in both categories. She also has five career shutouts. 

As an eighth-grader, Dobchuk split time in goal but helped backstop the Eagles to a fourth-place finish at the 2014 Class 2A state tournament. She was the starter when Eden Prairie defeated Andover 4-2 in the quarterfinals and also in the Eagles' semifinal loss to eventual state champion Hill-Murray. Dobchuk stopped 28 shots in the 1-0 defeat to the Pioneers. 

“This year, she came in and earned the No. 1 job,” Eden Prairie coach Jamie Grossman said. “And now that she’s got it, she’s not letting it go.”

Dobchuk’s technical strengths speak for themselves. However, Grossman said the real power behind Dobchuk’s performance is her poise and cited her 28-save shutout in last season’s Class 2A, Section 2 finals against Edina as evidence.

Dobchuk said her calm demeanor is the byproduct of the Eagles’ belief in her abilities.

“It’s easier to catch the puck when your teammates have confidence in you,” she said.and four-year varsity player  scored the winning goal in the Wayzata game, and

Senior forward Angie Heppelmann said the Eagles are not fazed having a freshman starting between the pipes and Dobchuk provides direction when the team gets sidetracked or distracted.

“She’s the one getting our focus back on,” said Heppelmann, who scored the game-winning goal against the Trojans. 

Heppelmann, a four-year varsity player, also said locker room leadership is not exclusive to upperclassmen. 

“We count on every player, no matter what grade they’re in,” she said. 

Eden Prairie also counts on Dobchuk to boost the Eagles’ attitude, and that starts with her pregame routine.

“I always have a tennis ball in my hand, bouncing it everywhere,” she said.

Bouncing a fuzzy yellow ball helps her stay upbeat, and she passes that positivity on to her teammates.

“She’s the one in the locker room saying the positive things,” Heppelmann said. ”She always has a smile on her face, and she’s always happy to be at the rink.”

Eden Prairie is happy to have Dobchuk at the rink, as well.

Senior forward Angie Heppelmann scored a minute into the second period and freshman goaltender Alexa Dobchuk made 19 saves to help Eden Prairie remain undefeated with a 1-0 victory over Wayzata in a Lake Conference matchup at the Eden Prairie Community Center on Tuesday night. 

A Trojans’ penalty 40 seconds into the second put the Eagles on the power play and Heppelmann took advantage as she moved into the slot, caught a pass from senior forward Charly Dahlquist and snapped the puck past Wayzata junior goaltender Sarah Stelter. Sophomore forward Naomi Rogge also assisted on the goal. 

Stellter finished with 29 saves as Eden Prairie outshot Wayzata 30-19.

The win keeps the Eagles (19-0-3), ranked No. 1 in the Class 2A coaches poll, atop the Lake Conference standings with a 5-0-1 record, while the No. 5-2A Trojans (12-7-2) remain in third place with a 3-4-0 in-league mark.

Spotlight Game Coverage