Prior Lake holds off Eden Prairie 4-2 in Section 2AA Semifinal
Neutral Zone attended a Section 2AA Semi-Final matchup between Eden Prairie Eagles and Prior Lake Lakers, two teams that both have had fantastic seasons. Eden Prairie (15-11-0, 8-3-0) finished the regular season in the Lakes division atop the standings while Prior Lake (16-10-0, 12-5-0) finished third in the South Suburban division. These two teams faced off back in December with Eden Prairie taking the win 6-4. Tony Schulze #21 (F, R, 5’8″, 135, Eden Prairie HS, 04/12/2004) and Teddy Townsend #28 (F, L, 5’10”, 155, Eden Prairie HS, 09/02/2005) led the way for the Eagles, scoring four and five points respectively while Ryan Andor #27 (F, R, 5’9″, 150, Eden Prairie HS, 03/26/2004) posted a hat-trick for them as well. Both teams have showcased high-scoring offenses throughout the regular season, so we anticipated a track meet.
It was a hard-fought opening period as both teams came out with energy and were ready to compete. Eden Prairie goalie, Samuel Schowalter #31 (G, L, 6’2″, 180, Eden Prairie HS, 02/24/2004)made a huge save just 30 seconds in to keep things scoreless. Minutes later it was the top line for Prior Lake that would strike first after Will Schumacher #24 (F, L, 5’10”, 166, Prior Lake HS, 05/04/2004) buried a loose puck out front. Shifts later Eden Prairie’s Teddy Townsend showed off an impressive individual effort to dart up ice and eventually follow up his own rebound to even things up at 1. Ryan Andor was particularly good in the period showing elite induvial skill and adding an assist on the goal for the Eagles. It was a period that was highlighted by physicality and timely saves made on both sides.
In the second, it was another back-and-forth period that saw Prior Lake as the beneficiary of hard work and strong penalty killing. Schumacher drew a penalty just seconds into the period by driving the net hard to send Prior Lake to the PP. Joe Rice #21 (F, L, Prior Lake HS, 01/01/2005) found himself alone in front but was denied point-blank by Schowalter. After hard puck pursuit and determination in front of the net and by Riley Dueber #8 (LW, L, 5’9″, 157, Prior Lake HS, 12/28/2003), he jams it home to put the Lakers up 2-1. Halfway through the period, Eden Prairie gets a Powerplay of their own, but the best chance actually came off of a shorthanded rush by Prior Lake. Moments later, Prior Lake took another Penalty to put Eden Prairie up 5 on 3. It was an incredible effort for Prior Lake penalty killers to keep Eden Prairie off the board. With about 4 minutes left in the period, Eden Prairie has yet another opportunity on the man advantage with a chance to tie it up, but again the credit goes to the penalty killing of Prior Lake. Riley Dueber found the back of the net once again, scoring off a shorthanded rush for the Lakers. Special teams were the obvious catalyst in this period, and Prior Lake took full advantage. 3-1, Prior Lake after 2.
It was an uneventful first half of the period as Prior Lake played solid defensively, and surprisingly with their season on the line, Eden Prairie lacked urgency. There was nothing more than a flurry of chances for either side, but both goalies remained strong in those events. It was quiet until about five minutes left when Eden Prairie scored off a rebound goal from Phil Feinberg #10 (F, R, 5’8″, 150, Eden Prairie HS, 05/31/2003) to get his team within one. Eden Prairie finally showed signs of life following the goal and then pulled their goalie with a minute to play. A couple of good looks for the Eagles looked like they may go until a 175-foot empty goal for Schumacher, his second of the day, sealed the deal for Prior Lake.
Prior Lake will move on to the Section 2AA Finals and they will play the winner of #2 Minnetonka and #3 Chaska. The Championship will be held Wednesday, March 2 at 7:00 pm.
Three Stars:
First: Will Schumacher, Prior Lake
Second: Riley Dueber: Prior Lake
Third: Ryan Andor, Eden Prairie
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
