CLASS 2A
• SECTION 4 SEMIFINAL: As a sophomore playing his first year of varsity hockey for Hill-Murray, Jake Guentzel is learning the grind and the glory of playoff hockey.
The Pioneers, who are top-ranked and the No. 1 seed in Class 2A, Section 4, needed a strong third period to put away No. 5 seed Roseville 5-1 on Wednesday at the Warner Coliseum.
After building a 2-1 lead in the first period, the Pioneers (22-3-1) failed to pull away in the second period from a spirited Roseville team.
“I was getting kind of nervous because it was a close game for a while,” Guentzel said. “But we battled and got through it.”
A goal from Guentzel — his second of the game — and two goals from senior Loren French in the third period allowed Hill-Murray to take control. The Pioneers extended their winning streak to 16 games. Goaltender Tim Shaughnessy won his 20th game.
The lone goal for the Raiders (13-9-5) came from Robb Stautz in the first period.
DAVID LA VAQUE
• SECTION 8 FINAL: After a one-year hiatus, Moorhead returns to the state tournament following a tightly contested 2-0 section championship victory over Bemidji. Junior forward Logan Ness’ goal only 2 minutes, 48 seconds into the game would be enough, as teammate Brendan Johnson would add an empty-net goal with 23 seconds remaining. Junior goalie Michael Bitzer tallied 18 saves in the shutout win. The win marks the 12th tournament appearance for the Spuds.