Woodbury beat Eden Prairie 3-2 Sunday to win the Eden Prairie Prairie Shootout, going 5-0 on the weekend and captured the eagle head trophy. Lead by a strong corps of defensemen and balanced scoring up front took the lead on a pretty Will Preimesberger second period goal to gain a lead they would not let go of the rest of the way.

After spotting the Eagles a two goal lead to start the game, the Predators score two of their own, one on a screened shot by Will Skahan and seconds later a breakaway goal by tourney MVP Ben Miller.

After four goals in the first six minutes, the game settled down. Teams got chances, but any seasoned hockey fan could tell goals were going to be tough to come by - one part goalie and the other part great defense. Each team had big and skilled and mostly unheralded defensemen that shut down the other team's star forwards. 

Will Preimesberger got the final goal of the game...a pretty tip in that got past EP goalie Isaiah Paulnock to give the Preds their first lead of the game. Eden Prairie would knock all day, but could not solve Woodbury goalie Jett Strubb...or the officials. Late in the game, Eden Prairie was putting on pressure and scored what appeared to be the tying goal just after the whistle was blown. After that close call, Woodbury was never really challenged for a tying goal down the stretch and they went on to win.

YHH chose Ben Miller its tourney MVP. The second year Squirt was the go-to guy for the Predators the whole weekend, racking up nearly 20 points in 5 games.

The California Connection - Tanner Hennricks and Will Skahan made an instant impact for Woodbury. The two young men played together in California for years and now are reunited on the Woodbury A team. Henricks has great hands and vision, while Skahan has size and great energy.

Michael Risteau, Lakeville North - magical hands and really quick feet...makes plays with and without the puck. 

Cole Saterdalen, Eden Prairie - hard worker, disruptive force that gave defense trouble

Teddy Townsend, Eden Prairie - a fun player to watch...very quick and elusive. Makes players miss and can fill up the net in a hurry.

Tanner Zolnosky, Woodbury - tenacious player who won a lot of puck battles with balance and strength.

Orono had a great weekend at the Squirt level in Eden Prairie. The Squirt A's took a very respectable third, losing only to Woodbury. The B's won the B title beating Chaska Chanhassen Black 4-3.

The Spartan program has a promising future with so many great teams at all levels in District 3 and the very tough section 2A in high school.