(ST. PAUL, MINN) – For the first time in school history, the Moorhead Spuds are state boys hockey champions.
The Spuds held off a late charge by Stillwater Area to win the Class AA championship 7-6 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. KSTP TV reported that more than 20,000 fans were in attendance to watch the game.
“I’m incredibly proud of their resilience,” head coach Jon Ammerman said in the postgame press conference. “That’s maybe been the word of the week this week, a group that, the highs and lows of the game, found ways to win.”
Brooks Cullen was named the Herb Brooks Award winner. In the championship game.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “Especially to get the first championship for Moorhead.”
Cullen notched the game’s – and Moorhead’s – third goal in the first period. Brooks, the son of former NHL’er Matt Cullen, an assistant coach on the Moorhead squad, added an assist in the contest.
Brooks remarked on having his dad on the bench.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “Just his hockey IQ and his hockey knowledge is unbelievable.”
Mason Kraft continued to have a banner tournament, scoring four goals for the Spuds – and tallied an assist.
Kraft was one of several players who made the decision to return to the team – a decision he doesn’t regret.
“It obviously paid off,” he said. “Even if it didn’t end in a state championship, I was so glad I returned. Just to be with this group, it was so special. We’re just so close, I’m so happy.”
