Osseo Maple Grove Hockey Association

July 5-8, 2012

Farmers Branch, Texas

Tournament Fee: $1,200.00

40 Team Limit - 16U & 15U Elite Divisions

July 5-8, 2012

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 Eastview had just rallied from a three-goal deficit as junior Ryan McNamara cruised around the Minnetonka net. 

The Lightning had their first possession of overtime and No. 2-ranked Minnetonka was on the ropes. 

McNamara fought off a defender as he wheeled around the side of the net, scanning the field, first high, then in the middle.

McNamara, who already had scored six goals, dished to teammate Erik Gage, who completed the upset for the No. 6-ranked Lightning in a 16-15 victory over the Skippers on Thursday, April 12, at Eastview High School.

With all the focus on McNamara, Gage had found space in the middle of Minnetonka defense, which McNamara exploited.

“I saw that there was no chance of me going to the net, so I looked up,” McNamara said. “I looked to Gage, and he finished it.”

Gage’s goal capped off a dramatic opening game for Eastview in which McNamara picked up where he left off a season ago when he led the Lightning with 48 points (34 goals, 14 assists), McNamara made his points per game average from 2011 look like child’s play as he notched nine points in the win.

McNamara scored four goals in the fourth quarter and had a hand in six of the Lightning’s last seven goals.

Calm and in control despite the Lightning being behind on the scoreboard for the better part of the game, McNamara showed patience and never forced chances while playing field general for Eastview.

“I really don’t think about it in the game, I just let it come to me,” he said. “I mean, if there’s a chance for me to score, get a point, I let that happen.”

Even Eastview coach Tim Roche was a bit surprised at his star’s performance once the final horn sounded.

“Six goals, huh?” Roche said with a smile. “We think he’s the best player in the state, and he showed it today. 

McNamara cited a team trip to the East Coast as an example of Eastview’s successful offseason. A docket full of tournaments and practice helped his team gear up for a tough first game.

“We went out East with our whole varsity team,” McNamara said. “We played in three tournaments in Johns Hopkins, Virginia, and then another one at Johns Hopkins, and it really helped us come together as a team.”

Team bonding, extra practice, whatever you want to call it, a positive offseason helped Eastview start its season on a high note. 

“It’s a big win,” McNamara said. “It’s only the first game, but I think they were ranked number two in state so that’s a big win. But it’s just a start.”

Eastview had just rallied from a three-goal deficit as junior Ryan McNamara cruised around the Minnetonka net. 

The Lightning had their first possession of overtime and No. 2-ranked Minnetonka was on the ropes. 

McNamara fought off a defender as he wheeled around the side of the net, scanning the field, first high, then in the middle.

McNamara, who already had scored six goals, dished to teammate Erik Gage, who completed the upset for the No. 6-ranked Lightning in a 16-15 victory over the Skippers on Thursday, April 12, at Eastview High School.

With all the focus on McNamara, Gage had found space in the middle of Minnetonka defense, which McNamara exploited.

“I saw that there was no chance of me going to the net, so I looked up,” McNamara said. “I looked to Gage, and he finished it.”

Gage’s goal capped off a dramatic opening game for Eastview in which McNamara picked up where he left off a season ago when he led the Lightning with 48 points (34 goals, 14 assists), McNamara made his points per game average from 2011 look like child’s play as he notched nine points in the win.

McNamara scored four goals in the fourth quarter and had a hand in six of the Lightning’s last seven goals.

Calm and in control despite the Lightning being behind on the scoreboard for the better part of the game, McNamara showed patience and never forced chances while playing field general for Eastview.

“I really don’t think about it in the game, I just let it come to me,” he said. “I mean, if there’s a chance for me to score, get a point, I let that happen.”

Even Eastview coach Tim Roche was a bit surprised at his star’s performance once the final horn sounded.

“Six goals, huh?” Roche said with a smile. “We think he’s the best player in the state, and he showed it today. 

McNamara cited a team trip to the East Coast as an example of Eastview’s successful offseason. A docket full of tournaments and practice helped his team gear up for a tough first game.

“We went out East with our whole varsity team,” McNamara said. “We played in three tournaments in Johns Hopkins, Virginia, and then another one at Johns Hopkins, and it really helped us come together as a team.”

Team bonding, extra practice, whatever you want to call it, a positive offseason helped Eastview start its season on a high note. 

“It’s a big win,” McNamara said. “It’s only the first game, but I think they were ranked number two in state so that’s a big win. But it’s just a start.”