In a fitting end to almost four decades of thrilling hockey games at the Warner Coliseum, Stillwater’s boys’ team clinched its first-ever state tournament appearance with a 2-1 upset of Hill-Murray.

Brandon Jungmann’s power-play goal at 4:15 of the third period held up as the game winner in the Class 2A, Section 4 championship game.

“We had a great [semifinal] game against White Bear Lake and after that we were just heads-in-the-clouds,” Stillwater defenseman Mitch Reinke said. “We knew we had a deep group here and we all wanted it. We’re the first team to ever do it and that’s pretty cool.”

No. 1 seed Hill-Murray (24-4) grabbed the game’s first lead on a goal from Mitch Slattery. A goal from Stillwater’s Devin Cates tied it up 1-1 at 1:43 of the second period. The No.3 seed Ponies (16-10-2) held the territorial edge for the rest of the period but the score remained tied at the second intermission.

“We probably played our worst period of the season,” Pioneers coach Bill Lechner said. “I thought we picked it up in the third but then that pop-fly jumped in.”

Lechner was talking about Jungman’s odd goal. The puck deflected skyward and landed behind unsuspecting Hill-Murray goaltender Sam Illgen for a goal and a 2-1 lead.

Hill-Murray could not get the equalizer past sophomore goalie Josh Benson.
Hill-Murray and Stillwater played the final hockey game at Warner Coliseum on the State Fairground, which began hosting games in 1976. Ice operations at the building are being discontinued due to deteriorating ice-making equipment and dwindling rink rentals.

A free public open skating event from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday will be the final use of the ice.


PHOTO GALLERY: Section final hockey from the Fairgrounds