Sports
Red Knights End Hopkins' Season
Royals girls hockey team proves mettle, yet fall to Benilde-St. Margaret's by 4-0 score in Section 6AA semifinals.
Hopkins did not give up its hold on the Section 6AA crown easily.
The defending state girls hockey champions made matters difficult for Benilde-St. Margaret's before the second-seeded Red Knights were able to put away the third-seeded Royals, 4-0, at Parade Ice Garden in a game much closer than the final score shows.
"Hats off to Hopkins," Benilde head coach Dave Herbst said. "They came out and worked and worked and worked."
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Hopkins opened the contest on the offensive, setting the Red Knights back on their heels as goaltender Tiana Press and the Benilde defense found themselves deflecting one Royals opportunity after another.
"We came out a little bit tight," Herbst said. "Our kids may have been looking ahead."
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However, for all of Hopkins' chances, it was Benilde that recorded the period's lone tally as forward Kelly Pannek sent an unassisted goal past Royals netminder Erin O'Neil to put the Red Knights up 1-0 heading into the first intermission.
"They're big and strong," Hopkins head coach Vin Paolucci said. "You've got to tip your hat to 'em, we have a couple of chances there, but they made the saves and then took advantage."
While Pannek's goal was all that Benilde would need, defender Jordyn Burns gave her team some insurance with a goal — assisted by forwards Brittany Wheeler and Caitlyn Reilly — at 14:13 to make the score 2-0 heading into the third period.
Wheeler fired home the Red Knights third goal, with assists going to Burns and forward Sara Taffe, on the power play at 4:27 to all-but put the game away before an empty net score by Pannek from Burns at 16:01 brought the count to its would-be final of 4-0.
"They advance, we hit the weight room," said Paolucci of Benilde. "They are a big, strong team with fight."
Goaltender Erin O'Neil made 21 saves in defeat as Hopkins closed out the season short of the state tournament for the first time in three seasons, with the rebuilding campaign of 2010-11 concludes with a 9-14-4 record.
"When you lose at this time of the season, it's always disappointing," Paolucci said. "But, this is a fun group to coach — we need to get stronger and learn. We'll be okay."