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Elk River senior picks up where she left off

November 23, 2011 at 12:48AM

Elk River/Zimmerman senior forward Jonna Curtis started this hockey season in a fashion similar to the way she ended last season, with a major influence on the Elks' offense and success.

Curtis bagged two goals in the Elks' season-opening 3-0 victory against North Metro. Among her team-leading 48 goals last season were 10 of the Elks' 16 postseason goals.

With Curtis lighting the lamp, the Elks reached the state tournament for the third time in four seasons. They lost to eventual champion Minnetonka in the quarterfinals but went on to win the consolation title.

Curtis spoke with Star Tribune reporter David La Vaque about learning from last season's state tournament run, a nice start to this season and what she does best on and off the ice.

Q Let's talk about that first game and what you thought of your own performance and the team's performance.

A I thought we all came out pretty strong for our first game. We worked hard. We really connected well. We still have things to work on but for our first game we did pretty well, I thought.

Q What sort of foundation did the game set for the season?

A We scored twice in the first minute and brought out a great intensity. Hopefully we can keep doing that the rest of the year -- starting out super fast. We did good work in the corners and played with a lot of intensity.

Q Even if you only scored one more goal after that fast start, were you seeing other good things?

A Yeah, we kept going to the net and making great passes.

Q Going back to last year, you lost the first game of the state tournament against Minnetonka but you won the next two. How important was that to the players who are back this season?

A It was kind of a letdown to lose to Minnetonka. But going out and winning the next two games showed us we were still as good as a lot of the other teams there.

Q How much good experience was gained from playing three state tournament games?

A It helped a lot because we know what it's like to be in those intense situations. If we get down we know we can come back because we've played in the state tournament where there's a lot of pressure.

Q Reading your hockey résumé, several attributes are listed. Which would you say is most important?

A I would say, the ability to adapt. If the team is not playing well, I have to try and pick everybody's spirits up by going out there and working hard.

Q What about skills? Which attribute is your best?

A I would say stickhandling. I have worked my butt off for my hands. I practice all the time. I shoot pucks. I'm always doing clinics. My dad is always getting me all these videos to watch and learn from. I think I've improved at least a little bit from last year.

Q How might you be approaching this season, your final season, differently than past seasons?

A I just feel like I have to try and step it up a lot more and try and get the team more involved every game.

David La Vaque • 612-673-7574