Author: Steve Mulholland

Behind the closed door of an auxiliary classroom, just steps away from the gymnasium at Hopkins High School on Friday night, Eden Prairie head coach Ellen Wiese addressed her team. The sixth-ranked Eagles had just finished battling the No. 1 ranked team in the state and the undefeated Royals looked as good as advertised in an 86-51 victory. It didn’t help the cause to have senior captain Kylie Bamlett, the Eagles’ rebound leader and primary defensive force, out with an ankle injury. But the coach wanted to make sure her players understood the effort they put forth –against the perennially…

Ryan Koering is the captain of the Eden Prairie boys hockey team – and their lone senior. Thursday night after the Eagles 3-2 loss to Holy Family, Koering was limping out of the locker room when he was asked what happened. “I took a shot in the ankle,” he replied. The senior had been on the ice the entire game. When asked if the injury had occurred late in the third period, he responded, “No, in the first.” Koering was aided by longtime team trainer Gary Smith, who helped him make it through the game. “Gary put some freeze spray…

Coming off a strong showing against the fourth-ranked Edina Hornets Wednesday, hopes were high the Eden Prairie Eagles would elevate their level of play against No. 10 Benilde-St. Margaret’s on Thursday – their second game in as many days. “The truth is, throughout a 24- or 25-game season, teams are going to have a game that isn’t their best performance,” Eagles head coach Steve Persian said. “And I think that’s what we had today. “And it’s on the heels of what I would describe as a really, really good performance last night.” Persian is always able to find the positive,…

Eden Prairie’s Mason Moe (19) and Teddy Townsend (28) battle for a loose puck in the third period. The Fire escaped with a 3-2 win over the Eagles. Check back in with eplocalnews.org for complete coverage. EPLN will soon post an in-depth game story of Holy Family vs. Eden Prairie.

Eden Prairie’s Ella Konrad (7) lends a hand to goaltender Tegan Swanson (31), preventing a goal in the third period against Benilde-St. Margaret’s on Thursday. The Red Knights skated to a 4-0 victory, improving their record to 9-4-1. The Eagles drop to 5-12 on the season. Check back in with eplocalnews.org for complete coverage. EPLN will soon post an in-depth game story of Benilde-St. Margaret’s vs. Eden Prairie.

It’s 86 miles from Dodge County Ice Arena in Kasson, Minnesota to Eden Prairie High School. Following their 4-3 win over the Dodge County Wildcats Jan. 6, the Eden Prairie Eagles made the trip back up Highway 52, celebrating their victory but thinking ahead as well. They were already preparing for their next game: a date with the Edina Hornets at Braemar Arena on Wednesday. Soon forgotten was the Eagles’ comeback from a 2-0 deficit against the Wildcats. Addy Mitchell’s two goals, including the game-winner with just 2:40 left to play? That was ancient history by the time the team…

Eagles goalie Tegan Swanson (31), who had 29 saves for Eden Prairie against Edina, gets help from defender Ella Pinnow (38). The Eagles fell to the Hornets 3-0 Wednesday at Braemar Arena. Photo by Rick Olson Check back in with eplocalnews.org for complete coverage. EPLN will soon post an in-depth game story of Eden Prairie vs. Edina.

Interim head coach Trevor Mbakwe liked what he saw on the hardwood at Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) Tuesday night. “I was excited,” Mbakwe said. “Like I told the guys in the locker room. I don’t think they know how good of a win that is out there.” The Eagles, ranked fourth in the Star Tribune Metro Poll and fifth in Class 4A, handed Brainerd their first loss of the season, a 90-82 decision, in a battle of north vs. south. The Warriors were 7-0 coming into the game ranked seventh out of the 64 teams in the Class 4A…

Monday, Jan. 9 The Eden Prairie girls basketball team looks to bounce back from their 59-46 loss to No. 8 Minnetonka. The sixth-ranked Eagles travel to Minneapolis Roosevelt for a 7 p.m. tipoff with the Teddies. Tuesday, Jan. 10 Eden Prairie High School will be busy with five boys basketball games as the Eagles host Brainerd in boys 9A, 10, 9B, JV and varsity games on Tuesday. The tip off for the varsity game is at 7 p.m. The Eagles are ranked fourth in the Star Tribune Metro poll and coming off an 83-67 win over Chanhassen on Friday. The…

Comparable to a three-act play, a hockey game can take a number of dramatic turns over the course of three periods. For the Eden Prairie Eagles, their Saturday afternoon matinee with Hermantown provided enough plot twists to light up a Broadway stage. The Hawks, undefeated and ranked second in Class A, arrived in their coach bus at the Eden Prairie Community Center, having completed the trip down Interstate 35 in plenty of time before the opening curtain. Hermantown took the stage with an Eden Prairie team which has had its share of first-act – or first-period – struggles. The Eagles…