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Split as the Playoffs Near

By Tom Schardin, 02/13/18, 10:30AM CST

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The Prior Lake boys hockey team is trying to gain some momentum for the upcoming Section 2AA playoffs.

But the Lakers can't shake the up-and-down play, which included a 7-2 loss at No. 7-ranked Holy Family Feb. 8 in a battle of Section 2AA foes and a 5-2 win at Farmington the next day in South Suburban Conference action.

The Lakers (10-13 overall, 7-8 in the SSC) have two league games left to end the regular season and both are at home — versus Lakeville South Feb. 13 and against Eastview Feb. 17 at 7 and 3 p.m., respectively.

Section 2AA seeds come out Feb. 18 and two things are certain. Second-ranked Minnetonka (18-2-2) will be the No. 1 seed and Holy Family (18-3-1) will seeded two.

After that, all bets are off. The Lakers perhaps should or maybe could get the No. 3 seed based on their one-goal wins over both Eden Prairie (8-13-1) and Chaska (15-7). 

But the criteria for section seed process is always a mystery and nobody ever knows how coaches will vote. Which is more more important — head to head, strength of schedule, quality wins, conference standing, pure wins overall body of work?

If it's head to head, the Lakers will get the No. 3 seed. If it's strength of schedule and qualify wins, give it to Eden Prairie with its wins over No. 3 Duluth, No. 9 Brainerd, St. Michael-Albertville and Hermantown (No. 1 Class 1A).

It coaches like Chaska's potential 18 wins, while Eden Prairie and Prior Lake will have losing marks, reward the No. 3 seed to the Hawks.

Meanwhile, other teams in the field include: New Prague (11-9-2), Chanhassen (10-13) and Shakopee (6-16).

Section quarterfinal play starts Feb. 22.

In the Lakers' win over Farmington, junior Jackson Jutting had two goals to lead the way, while seniors Jack Kennedy, Hunter Totenhagen and Preston Underhill also scored. 

Junior Charlie Kashmark had two assists, while Underhill, junior Ty Trachsel and senior Bennet Holst each had one. Senior Ryan Miller made 21 saves in goal.

In the loss to Holy Famiily, it was 1-1 game after one period of play. But the Fire scored three goals in the first 1:13 of the second period to take control.

Jutting and Underhill had the Laker goals. Kashmark had two assists, while Kennedy and sophomore Sam Emmerich each had one. Miller made 38 saves.