Don't look now, but the Prior Lake boys hockey team is starting to look like Section 2AA contender.

The Lakers won their fourth straight game, earning a solid 5-2 home victory over No. 5-ranked Minnetonka Jan. 27 in non-conference play.

Prior Lake (12-6-1 overall) has already locked up the No. 2 seed in Section 2AA behind second-ranked Edina (16-1-2). But more importantly, the Lakers are starting to play like a team that is capable of winning the title.

Yes, beating Edina for the Section 2AA crown would be a big upset. But on the bigger ice sheet in the title game at Mariucci Arena, the Lakers' chances can't be overlooked.

First, Prior Lake will have to get to the final, meaning it will likely have to beat Burnsville in the semifinals for a third time this season. The Lakers have never played for a section final as a Class 2A program and has lost in the semifinals the last four years.

But all that playoff action starts Feb. 19 with quarterfinal play, followed by the semifinals Feb. 21 and the title game Feb. 25.

Instead, the Lakers should be focused on continuing their strong play Jan. 29 at Eastview in South Suburban Conference play at 7 p.m. Prior Lake is second in the SSC with an 8-3-1 mark behind No. 1 Lakeville North (12-0).

Prior Lake lost 4-3 at Rosemount Jan. 15. Since then, the Lakers have wins over Lakeville South (3-1), Eagan (3-1), Burnsville (2-1) and Minnetonka.

In beating the Skippers, the Lakers dominated the second period scoring three times for a 3-0 lead. Sophomore Ryan Murray tallied first, followed by goals from sophomore Kevin Fellows and junior Connor Clemons.

Minnetonka scored 1:38 into the third period and then had a five-minute power play with 9:02 to play. But the Lakers killed the penalty off.

Junior Curtis Hansen followed with a goal for a 4-1 lead. Minnetonka tallied 1:15, but the Lakers answered that goal in just 10 seconds when senior Hayden Maxfield scored with 25 seconds to play.

Junior Matt Denman finished with two assists for the Lakers, while Maxfield, sophomore Chase Gackle, senior Derek Daugaard and Cole Wagner each had one.

Junior Drew Scites was in goal for the Lakers and made 29 saves. The Skippers outshot Prior Lake 31-20.

Following the Eastview game, the Lakers are back home Jan. 31 versus Shakopee at 3 p.m., before getting a shot at Lakeville North Feb. 5 at home at 7 p.m.