Hawks Back to State

Photos by: Matthew Moses

Kerry Rodd-NSO

Entering Wednesday nights Section 7A boys hockey championship game the Duluth Marshall Hilltoppers were looking to defend their section title from the previous year. 

Meanwhile the Hermantown Hawks who were the defending Section 5A champs were moved back into Section 7A and they were looking to prove they were the team to beat. 

When all was said and done the Hawks blitzed the Hilltoppers 6-2 and will head back down to the Minnesota State High School Boys Hockey Tournament.

Nate Pionk did his best at making sure the Hawks would make a return trip to the state tournament by pounding home three goals in leading Hermantown to the win.

The Hawks struck early in the first period when Pionk scored from Scott Wasbotten and Eric Gotz just 2:29 into the game.  Luke Pavelich tied the game for the Hilltoppers at the 6:00 minute mark, but the Hawks answered back with goals at 7:54 and 13:55 when Pionk and Wasbotten scored respectively.  The Wasbotten goal, which made it 3-1 in the Hawks favor, was a power play goal.

Marshall fought back in the second period and cut the lead to 3-2 when Jon Hansen tucked home a shot at the 8:53 mark.  However, Hermantown then reeled of two goals to end the period from Pionk and Ryan Kero to push the lead to 5-2 after two periods.

Kero added a goal with one second remaining in the third period to end the scoring.

The win improved the Hawks record to 22-4-2, while the Hilltoppers finish the season at 18-9-1.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at Kerry@northlandsportsonline.com