When Lakeville South rallied with two goals late in the third period Thursday, Hill-Murray coach Bill Schafhauser couldn’t help but glance at the scoreboard with a minor case of the jitters.

“I’d like to say there was a sense of calm, but not really,” he said with a laugh, citing recent big games that have not been short on drama.

Last year, the Pioneers lost 4-2 to Roseville in the section final after allowing two goals in the third period. This year, Hill-Murray hung on 4-3 against the same opponent to earn its first state berth, but allowed a late goal in the process.

“We panicked a little bit to be honest with you,” Schafhauser said. “It’s only natural to look at the clock a little bit and hope it goes quickly. And it never does.”

Friendly fire

Rosemount coach Tracy Cassano and Edina’s Laura Slominski played and roomed together when they were at the University of Minnesota, but that doesn’t mean the competitive fires burned any less bright when they met for the first time as state tournament coaches.

“I wanted to beat her!” Cassano said. “But how many chances — is it ever going to happen again — where you get to play against a former teammate and a really good friend? So it was fun.”

Kochevar improving

Lakeville South coach Perry Wilkinson said Thursday that Lakeville North coach Buck Kochevar continues to improve after a scary on-ice fall Feb. 14.

Kochevar underwent emergency surgery after he suffered a skull fracture and internal bleeding when he hit his head on the ice. He was preparing the Panthers for their Section 1 semifinal game against Farmington, which the team eventually lost in triple overtime.

“He’s doing well,” said Wilkinson, who got an update from North assistant coach Rich Schrick prior to Wednesday night’s state banquet so he could share updates with concerned well-wishers.

“Richie said it’s a miracle how far he’s come, and that all the thoughts and prayers are appreciated.”

“He’s almost the old Buck. He’s getting there.”

First-timers

Minnetonka played like a veteran business-like team Thursday, defeating Elk River/Zimmerman 3-0 in the Class 2A quarterfinals. But two hours before faceoff, as the players got their first ice-level view of Xcel Energy Center, the Skippers were giddy newcomers like one might expect from first-timers at state.

They posed for goofy pictures. Goalie Julie Friend hammed it up for cameras in one of the creases. Two teammates danced at the blue line.

In the locker room, players watched video of a Saturday Night Live-like sketch video of themselves produced by the seniors. “This group is loose,” coach Eric Johnson said. “It gets to be a long day here, so they found some ways to have fun.”