By Josh Katzenstein
The top players for top-seeded Minnetonka made a 6-1 Class 2A quarterfinal victory over Lakeville North appear to be business as usual.
The Panthers hung with the Skippers as long as they could, with goalie Charlie Lindgren making 13 saves in the first period to keep Minnetonka's lead at 1-0.
But in the second period, the Skippers showed why they have been the No. 1 team for the majority of the season and earned the top seed this weekend.
Senior defenseman Justin Holl fired a shot from just inside the blue line 32 seconds into the second period that skipped between Lindgren's legs. Aside from Lakeville North's physical play and a Brady Skjei goal later in the period, it was all Minnetonka from there.
Skippers senior captain Max Gardiner scored a hat trick, including two goals in the third period to help put the game out of reach.
"In games like this you just try to get pucks to the net and see what goes in," said Gardiner who had 12 shots on goal.
No. 1 Minnetonka now awaits either No. 4 Hill-Murray or Duluth East for a date in the semifinals Friday.
Josh Katzenstein is a U of M student on assignment for the Star Tribune.
