Hermantown boy’s hockey crowned Section 7A Champions for fourth season in a row

The top-seeded Hermantown Hawks boy’s hockey team were crowned Section 7A champions on Wednesday beating second seeded Rock Ridge 3-1 at AMSOIL Arena.

With the win the defending state champion Hawks are off to the state tournament for the fourth season in a row.

The game was physical in the start of the first period, as after 17 minutes of play both teams headed into the locker room scoreless. With Rock Ridge leading in the shot department 7-5.

Hermantown broke the deadlock in the second period with a goal in the final three minutes of play, from the semifinal hero Aaron Evjen.

Dallas Vieau added another goal extending the lead 2-0 Hermantown with 12.2 seconds remaining in the middle frame.

“We knew it was going to be a close game. After the First being 0-0 we had a chance at the end and unlucky that the time ran out. Then we knew we just had to keep bearing down and it would come,” said Vieau.

Rock Ridge cut the lead in half just over three minutes into the third period with a goal from Dylan Hedley.

Before Hawks sophomore River Freeman had a put away empty netter with 9.9 seconds remaining in the game.

“Obviously it’s super special, we have been working for this all season and to get it done with these group of guys is awesome,” concluded Vieau.

The state tournament runs March 8-11 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. When brackets are finalized they can be found HERE.