There will be a new 2A boys hockey state champion in Minnesota. The Moorhead Spuds edged the Edina Hornets 4-3 to punch their ticket to Saturday night’s title game.
Moorhead goaltender Charlie Stenehjem struggled giving up three goals in the first period on Edina’s 11 shots. Zac Zimmerman and Mason Kraft scored for Moorhead, while Edina’s Mason West recorded a hat trick. The Spuds trailed 3-2 after the opening period.
In the second period Moorhead’s defense picked up the intensity and only allowed three shots on net. Brooks Cullen scored a goal midway through the period assisted by Max Cullen. The rest of the period was a stalemate as the game was tied 3-3 after the second period.
In the third period the Hornets record nine shots on net. but Stenehjem held strong, not allowing a goal. Late in the third period Moorhead ended up on the power play, and with 59 seconds remaining in regulation, Zac Zimmerman found the puck on his stick after a re-directed shot… He buried the puck in the back of the net… 4-3 Moorhead.
The final 59 seconds Edina made a push, but Moorhead held on to survive 4-3.
The No. 1 seeded Spuds will now square off with No. 2 seeded Stillwater in the state championship game on Saturday night at 7 p.m. All the game coverage will be available on WDAY Radio, beginning with the pregame at 6:30 p.m. with Steve Hallstrom. Larry Knutson will be on the play-by-play call.
Knutson has broadcast all eight Moorhead Spud boys hockey state championship games, but they have yet to win the elusive title entering tonight’s game.
