Hawks Back to State

George Bailey – NSO

The Hermantown Hawks are going back to the state tournament for the sixth consecutive season and the twelfth time in school history as the Hawks shut out the Marshall Hilltoppers in the section 7A title game Wednesday night at Amzoil Arena.

Ryan Kero Scored twice Wednesday night as the Hawks defended their section title for the second consecutive season over Duluth Marshall. Kero put Hermantown in front 1-0 at 3:15 of the second period with assists to Wyatt Aamodt and Nate Pionk.

The second period dominated by Hermantown following a very close 1st period which ended scoreless, the Hawks out shot the Toppers 15-1 and Parker Hawk put the Hawks in front 2-0 at 13:55 of the second with assists to Ryan Sandelin and Jesse Jacques.

Hermantown continued to control play in the third period again out shooting the Toppers 15-4 in the period and they finished the game out shooting Marshal 41-15. Nate Pionk put the Hawks in front 3-0 as Sandelin picked up his second assist of the game and also Cole Koepke.

Kero’s second goal of the game game with 5:21 remaining in the period which sealed the Hawks win and another trip to St. Paul for the Boys State Hockey Tournament.

Luke Olson stopped all 15 shots he faced for the shutout win, while Alex Murray took the loss for the Hilltoppers. Murray finished with 37 saves in the loss.

The Hawks improve to 25-2-1 on the season and they will get the seeding and the draw for the class A tournament on Saturday. Duluth Marshall finishes the season 19-6-3 with three of the six losses coming at the hand of the Hawks.

George Bailey can be reached at george@northlandsportsonline.com

« ‹ 1 of 3 › »