Minnesota hockey power Hermantown given run for money in section semifinals
Hermantown is once again knocking on the door of the Minnesota State High School League boys hockey tournament after a thrilling section semifinal against Hibbing/Chisholm Monday night at Amsoil Arena in Duluth.
Hermantown, the No. 1-ranked team in Class A, has made the state tournament 12 of the last 13 years and has reached the state championship game 11 times since 2007, including an incredible run of eight title shots from 2010 to 2017, when they lost six straight before winning back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017.
Their road to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul is still on track but it wasn't easy in a 3-2 win over Hibbing/Chisholm. In fact, the game was tied 2-2 until Aaron Evjen scored with 15.8 seconds left in the third period to send the Hawks to the section title game.
Hermantown will face Rock Ridge or Duluth Denfeld in the section championship game Wednesday night at Amsoil Arena. The last three Section 7 finals have been between Hermantown and Denfeld, with Hermantown outscoring Denfeld 24-1 in those affairs – prompting calls for Hermantown to move up to Class AA.
Hibbing/Chisholm is just the second Class A opponent to score more than one goal against Hermantown this season. In their previous meeting, Hermantown dominated 6-0.
Hermantown beat Rock Ridge 6-1 on Feb. 7 and the Hawks defeated Denfeld 8-1 back in December, making them a heavy favorite to reach the state tourney once again.
Of Hermantown's four state titles, tied with Breck and Warroad for the second most in Class A history and just one behind St. Thomas Academy's five championships, the most recent was last year when they defeated Warroad 3-2 at the Xcel Energy Center.
Related: It's section championship week in boys high school hockey
