Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Hockey (B)

Share Print this Story Email this Story Hermantown Mountain Iron-Buhl Virginia

1A Quarterfinals: Hermantown def. Virginia

By Kyle Stevens
Xcel Energy Center - St. Paul, Minn

The Minnesota National Guard selects our Two Stars:

Adam Krause
Hermantown
1 goal, 1 assist

Eddie Travis
Virginia/Mt. Iron-Buhl
1 goal, 8 shots

For more information on The Guards, go to http://1800goguard.com

Hermantown 2
Cody Christopherson: Goal
Jared Kolquist: Assist, 5 shots
Tyler Ampe: 20 saves
Team: 24 shots on goal
Team: 1 for 3 on power play

Virginia/Mt. Iron Buhl 1
Troy Nichols: Assist
Wes Judnick: Assist
Casey Myhre: 22 saves
Team: 21 shots on goal
Team: 0 for 3 on power play

The Story
Northern hockey has long had the reputation of a hard-hitting, low-scoring game. It is a reputation well deserved. Hermantown used the body all game long, and had just enough offense to escape with a 2-1 win over Virginia/Mt. Iron-Buhl.
Each team managed only six shots on goal in the first period, but the checks were much more frequent. Cody Christopherson broke the scoreless tie with less than four minutes to play in the first when Adam Krause fed him in front of the net. "He (Krause) just slid it over and I got it and just fired it and it happened to go in the back of the net," said Christopherson.
The slim lead would only hold through the first minute of the second period when Travis Eddy tied the game. That goal would keep it all square for the remainder of the middle frame, and for three minutes into the third. But then Krause struck from long range.
"I was at the end my shift so I was pretty tired and I knew I couldn't beat the D," said Krause. "The scouting report was to get the puck on the net and that's kinda what I was trying to do and it goes in sometimes."
Krause's goal moves Hermantown into one of Friday's 1A semifinals, and gives them a shot to earn a second state title. But first is a game against Mahtomedi, whom the Hawks met in a scrimmage early this season.
"Honestly, I don't remember it," said Hermantown coach Bruce Plante when asked the score.
"It was a tie. 2-2," said Krause to laughter. Of course the players remember the score, even if was never displayed and only in their heads.

The Quote
"The best penalty killer on any team is the goalie, and our goalie had a good game." Hermantown head coach Bruce Plante on Tyler Ampe's effort in a 2-1 win over Virginia/Mt. Iron-Buhl

Box Score / Full Game Audio / Highlights