Minnetonka coach Tracy Cassano called on senior captain Rory Guilday to rally her team Saturday before the second overtime period against Alexandria.

“She seemed to have a lot of energy today, vocally, and was super positive throughout the entire game,” Cassano said.

Guilday’s words must have worked. Senior captain Kayley Crawford scored her second goal of the game 2 minutes, 36 seconds into the second overtime to give Minnetonka (16-3-3) a 2-1 victory, avoiding an upset to unseeded Alexandria in the Class 2A quarterfinal at Xcel Energy Center. 

Crawford is a huge asset for the No. 3-seeded Skippers, starting defensively with blocking shots and contributing to the penalty kill, Cassano said.

“But as far as her offensive production, her getting those two goals was big-time,” Cassano said. 

Crawford’s first goal broke a scoreless tie with 1:30 left in the second period. The lead nearly held up but Alexandria sophomore Ella Westlund tied the game with 13.3 seconds left in regulation to send it to overtime.

Alexandria junior goaltender Jordan O’Kane made a season-high 57 saves for the Cardinals (14-5-2) in their first trip to state as a Class 2A program and 14th overall. O’Kane kept the Skippers off the board through almost two periods of play. 

“That’s what we expected out of her,” Alexandria coach Molly Arola said. “She’s been solid all year long, especially during the playoffs. We knew we needed her to be on her game tonight, and she was, just like she always is.”

In a duel of goaltenders, third-seeded Minnetonka avoided a Class 2A quarterfinal upset Saturday with a 2-1 overtime victory over unseeded Alexandria.

Kayley Crawford scored the overtime-winner 2:36 into the second overtime period at Xcel Energy Center. The victory sends the Skippers to a semifinal matchup against Edina next Thursday.

Crawford scored both Minnetonka goals in the game. Her first broke a scoreless tie with 1:30 left in the second period for the 1-0 lead.

That looked like it would hold as the final score. But with 13.3 seconds left in regulation, Alexandria players crashed the net in a scramble and sophomore Ella Westlund sent a rebound into the net to tie the game.

In the closing seconds of the first overtime, Minnetonka sophomore Grace Sadura rang a shot off the post, nearing ending the game.

Alexandria junior goaltender Jordan O’Kane made a season-high 57 saves for the Cardinals (14-5-2) in their first trip to state as a Class 2A program and 14th overall. The Cardinals won a Class 1A state title in 2008 and took third in 2018.

For Minnetonka, Senior Goalie of the Year semifinalist and All-Metro First Team member Brynn DuLac made 26 saves.

Minnetonka’s last loss came in a 3-0 shutout to Edina  on March 2. The Skippers lost in tight semifinal games the past two years to Edina and Andover.

Check back later for more on the game.