Breaks finally turn Skippers' way

Derek Frawley's first goal this season was also Minnetonka's first sign of puck luck in three games.

The sophomore redirected a shot into the net at 13 minutes, 28 seconds of the third period, the go-ahead goal in the Skippers' 3-1 victory against undefeated and top-ranked Hill-Murray in Monday's Schwan Cup Gold Division quarterfinal at the Xcel Energy Center.

A strong third period helped Minnetonka (6-3) avoid a third consecutive tough loss. The Skippers blew a 3-2 lead after two periods against St. Thomas Academy in a 4-3 overtime loss. And a 1-0 lead over Eden Prairie disappeared in a 4-2 loss.

"Things haven't been going our way the past few games," Frawley said. "Tonight everything finally clicked for us."

Minnetonka defeated Hill-Murray (7-1) in the Gold Division championship game last year, one of the few low points in the Pioneers' run to a Class 2A state championship.

After Monday's loss, coach Bill Lechner reminded his players that last season's success is not transferable.

"I was disappointed in our effort," he said. "I think we came in thinking because we're defending champions and because we're undefeated that we would just do it again. But it doesn't work like that."

Max Gardiner's first-period goal gave Minnetonka a 1-0 lead and 10-1 shots-on-goal advantage. Nick Widing's power-play goal at 11:20 of the second period tied the score. Frawley's goal was followed by Sam Coatta's empty-net clincher with 20 seconds remaining.

Holy Angels 5, St. Thomas Academy 2: Competing for the Schwan Cup Gold Division title is serious business for Holy Angels.

Last year's 1-2 showing stung like a slapshot to the skate for the Stars, Gold Division winners in 2005 and '06.

"We were not happy with that," senior forward Danny Mattson said. "We have all but two guys back from last year and we wanted to get off to a good start."

The Stars struck first and struck often in a quarterfinal against St. Thomas Academy, building a 4-0 lead through two periods.

Mattson scored power-play and empty-net goals while John Haeg added a goal and two assists. The Stars play White Bear Lake in the first semifinal game at 6 tonight.

St. Thomas Academy, ranked No. 1 in Class 1A, struggled to convert its scoring chances.

"It was a weird game," Cadets co-coach Greg Vanelli said. "... The time of possession and control of the game were about even. I didn't feel we were outplayed, but they were able to score and we didn't."

White Bear Lake 6, Centennial 5: Sam Swanson and Brandon Wahlin each scored twice as White Bear Lake posted five consecutive goals to break open the game. Centennial countered with three unanswered goals, including Brett Stern's tally with 24 seconds remaining.

Edina 3, Moorhead 0: Anders Lee scored a goal and assisted on Edina's other two goals.