As both teams walked into the locker room after the second period, Eastview (13-10-2, 11-5-1) looked like it was in for a comfortable win over South Suburban Conference rival Eagan.

However, the Wildcats, ranked No. 17 in Class 2A in the state coaches’ poll, came out strong in the third period, and the Lightning had to hang on for dear life to come away with a 4-3 victory. It was a win that should help Eastview with section seeding as it vaulted the Lightning over the Wildcats (12-9-4, 9-4-4) in the conference standings.

Goals by Holly Sodomka, Natalie Snodgrass, Katie Quaintance and Mary Keating built the lead.

"I knew we weren't going to walk out of here with an easy win even though we were up 4-1," Lightning head coach Herb Harvey said. "I can't remember the last time we didn't have a close game with Eagan."

Eastview was able to build its early lead largely because of the play of senior Snodgrass.

"She has a lot of experience," Harvey said. "She has played six years of varsity. She is strong on her feet, anticipates well and makes her teammates better."

Snodgrass would finish the game with a goal and two assists, giving her at least one point in the last eight games.

"We knew this was going to be a huge game," Snodgrass said. "This win was huge for us. Hopefully, it will work out for us when we find out our seeding."

It was a huge game—in part—because the Lightning started the season slow, going 5-8-2 into the new year.

"We have a lot of younger girls this year," said Snodgrass. "Our team chemistry was a little bit mixed up. We found our chemistry about the middle of the year, and now we are on a role. I love it."

The team has now won seven out of its last eight games.

Snodgrass, a senior forward, will be following in her sister’s footsteps next year as she has committed to the University of Connecticut to play hockey.

"I went and saw her play there a lot. I am familiar with the campus. I love the coaches and the players. It was an instant connection," she said.

While watching Snodgrass play Saturday night, it is evident why the Huskies want her on campus next year.

"I think I see the ice well. If I have a gap I tend to rush the puck," Snodgrass said. "I am more of a skater and a shooter than a passer. I am an aggressive checker, and I think my drive makes me go 110 percent and I don't think a lot of people want to go against that."

Snodgrass has been a regular on the Under 18 National team. It has been an experience that has obviously helped her development.

"Coming from different states, everybody brings something new to the table. You just have to figure out your role there. I learned so much there. I am so happy I have been able to bring what I learned there back here," Snodgrass said.

Back in Minnesota, Snodgrass and her Lightning teammates had to hold off a late charge by Eagan. The penalty kill and goalie Kaitlyn Pellicci closed the door on the surging Wildcats. Pellicci finished the game with 27 saves.

"Kaitlyn is awesome," Snodgrass said. "I play on the penalty kill, and I am just glad I have her back there. She has been amazing coming down the stretch."

Pellicci, Snodgrass, and Eastview have all been amazing down the stretch and have themselves in a position to snag one of the top seeds in the section.

"To us and to me as a coach, it is not about the regular season," Harvey said. "It is about three games in the section tournament."

Goalie Ashley Larson made 16 stops for the Wildcats.

Offensively, junior Taylor Anderson, a Minnesota-Duluth commit, led Eagan with a goal and two assists.

In a battle for second place in the South Suburban Conference, Eastview (13-10-2, 11-5-1) traveled to Eagan Civic Arena to face Eagan (12-9-4, 9-4-4) on Saturday afternoon. Eastview stormed out to a 4-1 lead after two periods but had to hang on behind 27 saves from goalie Kaitlyn Pellicci to win 4-3.

Both teams traded early chances, but midway through the first period, Eastview started to control the game. Two goals in the period—including a power play goal just seconds before the first period ended sent the Lightning into the period break up 2-0.

The Lightning—who have now won seven out of their last eight games—widened their lead in the second to 4-1. Pellicci was outstanding in the second making fifteen saves while dealing with three short-handed situations. Eagan was in the offensive zone most of the third period, but Pellicci stood tall.

Senior Natalie Snodgrass scored a goal and assisted on two others for Eastview. Holly Sodomka, Katie Quaintance, and Mary Keating also scored goals for the Lightning.

Junior Taylor Anderson, a Minnesota-Duluth commit, led Eagan offensively with a goal and two assists.

Goalie Ashley Larson made 16 stops for the Wildcats, who are ranked No. 17 in Class 2A in the state coaches' poll.