by Todd Abeln
Thisweek Newspapers

After two straight tough losses, Eagan was looking to get a victory.

Not only did they get the victory but they also clinched second place in the Lake Conference and kept their hopes alive for a No. 1 seed in the playoffs when they defeated Burnsville 1-0 on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Burnsville Ice Center.

Kate Baillon scored the only goal of the game at 2:06 of the third period to give the Wildcats the hard-fought victory.

Baillon redirected a shot by defenseman Megan Sheridan over the shoulder of Burnsville goalie Brianna Lutz to break the scoreless game.

"We kept telling the kids to put the puck on net,î Wildcats head coach Scott Darwitz said. "We knew we had to get more shots on net and crash the net. Good things happen when you put the puck on net and that's what happened.î

Eagan sophomore Alyssa Grogan got the shutout as she stopped all 30 shots that the Blaze fired at her.

"Our goaltending played excellent and we played real tough in our own zone,î Darwitz said. "The kids played good position and smart hockey.î

The game was intense with both teams not giving up an inch in their defensive ends. It had the feel of a playoff game.

"We treated it like a playoff game. If Burnsville beats us, they probably get seeded higher than us but we needed this win, this was huge,î Darwitz said.

The victory improves Eagan's conference record to 12-3-1 with one game left on their schedule.

With Burnsville's victory on Tuesday night over Eastview they improved to 11-5 giving Eagan second place in the Lake Conference. Eden Prairie had already clinched the conference title.

The game was also big for the Section 5AA playoffs coming up.

The win for Eagan keeps their hopes alive for the No. 1 seed along with Holy Angels and Cretin-Derham Hall.

The loss hurts Burnsville's chances at the No. 1 seed and most likely drops them to a No. 4 seed where they could face Eagan again in the semifinals, should Eagan get the No. 1 seed.

Cretin holds a 16-5-3 record in tough Suburban East conference while Holy Angels is 18-5-1 and undefeated in the Missota Conference. Eagan's overall record is 17-6-1 while Burnsville's is 18-6. Eagan also beat Burnsville twice during the season.

Eagan, Cretin-Derham Hall and Holy Angels did not meet during the regular season.

The seeding for the Section 5AA playoffs will be on Sunday, Feb. 5.

"Are we a No. 1 seed? Absolutely, absolutely we are,î Darwitz said.

Well, they will have to wait until Sunday to find out.

Todd Abeln is at sports.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

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