Hunters end Hermantowns Regular Season Win Streak

Dec 20, 2012

Kerry Rodd-NSO

Zach Thompson finished with 42 saves to lead the Denfeld Hunters to a 5-4 upset win over the Hermantown Hawks on Thursday night at Heritage Arena in Duluth.

The Hawks overcame a quick start by Denfeld to take a 2-1 lead after one period. Reid Lemker gave the Hunters a lead just 1:16 into the game, but Hermantown answered back with goals by Grant Sega and Travis Koepke to take the lead after the opening period.

Denfeld responded with a goal by Tre Opack at 3:07 of the second period to tie the game, but Hermantown answered with a goal by Chris Benson at 12:39 to edge ahead 3-2. Before the second period ended the Hunters tied the game at 3-3 when Alex Thompson scored a power play goal at 15:49.

Bo Gronseth gave the Hawks another lead at 4-3 just 21 seconds into the third period, but the Hunters bounced back with a goal by Levi Talarico at 4:18 and then the game winner by Opack at 14:05.

The loss ended a Hermantown regular season unbeaten streak that reach 34 straight games and stretched back to a 7-5 loss to CEC in 2011.

Hermantown drops to 5-1 overall on the season, while the Hunters improved to 6-3 overall.

Kerry Rodd can be reached at kerry@northlandsportsonline.com