After being bounced in the first round of the state tournament by Stillwater two years ago, Lakeville South coach Perry Wilkinson and his players feel they have some unfinished business at the Xcel Energy Center.

"By far this is our best team," the fifth-year coach said of his squad, which cruised through the Class 2A, Section 1 playoffs and features one of the best goalies in the state in senior Chelsea Laden.

Laden, a finalist for this year's Let's Play Hockey Senior Goalie of the Year award, played on the 2008-2009 team that went to state. She had a .929 save percentage this year.

Her life was made easier by senior Morgan Fritz-Ward, who led the team in goals with 22 in the regular season and five in the playoffs.

"She's one of those kids that can do just about everything you ask her to do," Wilkinson said of Fritz-Ward.

On Thursday, Lakeville South will face a battle-tested Hill-Murray team that had to go through Cretin-Derham Hall, White Bear Lake and Roseville to emerge on top of its section, a fact not lost on Wilkinson.

He said his players are confident they can compete with anyone, but that they must show they have improved throughout the season.

The two teams last faced off on Dec. 28, with Hill-Murray winning 3-2 in a game Laden said was not her best. Heading into the rematch, Laden said her excitement outweighs her anxiety.

"I don't really have time to be nervous," Laden said, "because you've just got to get it done."

Andrew Baker is a University of Minnesota student reporter on assignment for the Star Tribune.