Minnetonka coach Tracy Cassano’s message to her team after the second period of the Skippers’ Thursday afternoon against Roseau was the same as it was during last week’s Class 2A, Section 2 final versus Eden Prairie; it doesn’t have to be close.

“I said ‘Hey ladies; the game doesn’t have to be close,’” Cassano said. “Let’s just go out there and play Minnetonka Skipper hockey. Dictate the pace of play with our feet moving, working hard together.”

By the end of the third period, Cassano got her wish, as the Skippers pulled away for the Rams for a 7-2 victory behind goals from nearly half the roster. 

“We really love the depth of this team,” Cassano said. “It’s not just one line that stands out, and that’s what we think makes our team special across the state.”

Emily Bayless and Olivia Laroche each scored once in the second period, and Josie Helling scored less than two minutes into the second to stretch the Minnetonka lead to 3-0. A pair of goals from Roseau Kate Helgeson and Kayla Santl pulled the Rams (21-6-2) within one before Bayless tallied her second of the game. 

Midway through the second, Bayless trailed linemate Lacey Martin during Martin’s breakaway toward the Roseau net, apparently not thinking of scoring herself. 

“I was like, well, I might as well follow up just in case so I can celly with her when she scores,” Bayless said with a laugh.

Instead, Bayless gathered Martin’s blocked shot and deposited, giving the Skippers a (22-6-1) 4-2 lead entering the third period. 

The advantage proved to be too much for the Rams, who pulled goaltender Josie Johnson down 6-2 in an effort to claw their way back into the game. 

“There was no quit,” Roseau coach Steve Huglen said. “When we pulled dour goalie, we’re still believing, boy, if we can get one in the next 20-30 seconds…that’s probably a little unrealistic, but that’s what the thought process was.”

Santl, who scored her 47th goal of the season in Thursday’s loss, echoed her coach’s sentiment about the Rams’ never-say-die attitude. 

“Our team doesn’t quit ever,” Santl said. “We just keep going. We’re gonna play until the clock’s done.”

No. 3 seed Minnetonka will face second-seeded Andover in the semifinals on Friday at 6 P.M. The Huskies topped the Skippers 3-1 on Nov. 23.