Sydney Langseth scores one of her three goals Friday night for Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie advanced to the state tournament for the third consecutive season with a 3-0 win over the Shakopee Sabers Friday night at Braemar Arena. The Eagles were paced by three goals by Minnesota-State commit Sydney Langseth and a 33 save shutout by Alexa Dobchuk. The senior goalie stopped a handful of Saber flurries, one in the first period that totaled five shots in three seconds.
"She changed the game tonight for us, she was the difference in the first period when we weren't playing our best," said Eden Prairie head coach Jaime Grossman.
Alexa Dobchuk makes one of her 33 saves Friday for Eden Prairie
After stopping Shakopee cold in the first half of the first period, Eden Prairie got on the board when Langseth scored two goals 1:13 apart. The first on a wrap around goal and the second on a screened wrist shot that beat senior Camryn Noess, giving the Eagles a 2-0 after the first period.
The second period was a carbon copy of the first. Shakopee came out and attacked the Eagles, but ran into another Dobchuk stand. The Sabers had four power play attempts, one on a five-on-three that lasted 1:13. With each great opportunity, Dobchuk stared (and smiled) down the Sabers and stopped everything. "That was my best game," said Dobchuk. "Playing with these guys and coming as far as we have this year feels so great."
Dobchuk, the Colgate commit and Senior Goalie of the Year finalist is a breath of fresh air to watch compete. Asked how she plays with a constant grin on her face? "I love the sport, I love who I play it with and I love the environment."
Smiling (and saving pucks) comes easy to Alexa Dobchuk
-The Eagles will make their ninth state tourney appearance, when the head to the Xcel Energy Center next week.
-Eden Prairie played Shakopee twice this year, Dobchuk won both games in a shutout.
-Langseth had her fourth hat trick of the season, adding to her team leading scoring total of 31 goals.
-Shakopee won over a lot of fans Friday night. Including hundreds of students, a full band and a nearly full half of Braemar Arena cheering section.
Let's go Shako-Pee!