January 31, 2008 @ Wakota Arena 7:30

South St. Paul scored twice to erase a two-goal third period deficit, then withstood a furious charge by Hill-Murray in overtime. Both goalies were sharp as Dan Rothe made 33 saves for South St. Paul and Joe Phillippi 21 for Hill-Murray. The Pioneer penalty kill was also a factor, killing all eight South St. Paul power plays without allowing much effective puck movement.

The Pioneers scored first early in the first period. Tyler Zepeda's 30-foot shot was deflected by Ryan Furne onto the stick of Nick Widing, who put in a backhand after Rothe had committed to the original shot. Hill-Murray had chances to extend its lead despite taking three penalties in the latter half of the period. Rothe deflected Furne's shot just wide with his right pad after Furne broke down the right side on a 2-on-1, and also stuffed a partial breakaway attempt by Jeff Westerhaus.

The game had turned into a defensive contest by the second period with neither team able to sustain much offensive flow. Still, both teams had scoring chances. Isaac Kohls had a clean breakaway but couldn't settle the puck and it rolled wide. The Packers' Justin Faulk had a wide open shot but put it right into Phillippi's midsection, and Phillippi made a great leg save on a tip by Mike Ward.

Hill-Murray took a 2-0 lead on an innocent looking dump-in, with Dave Cascalenda working the puck off the end boards to Lou Metcalf, who cut in front of the net and slid a low shot under Rothe.

Despite not playing their best, Hill-Murray was seemingly in control with a two goal lead entering the third period and had a chance to put the game away on an early power play. Instead, Faulk got a clean breakaway just as he was leaving the penalty box but shot wide. Seconds later, Cody Schwantes intercepted a clearing attempt at the blue line, stickhandled to the right corner and centered for a tip-in goal by Sam Price.

South St. Paul then got three successive power plays and finally generated some shots, forcing Phillippi to be sharp. Their best chance came when defenseman Zach Palmquist unleashed a 30-foot slap shot that went just inches wide.

Hill-Murray again appeared in control after killing the last penalty with just under three minutes to go. However, Ryan Miller barely held the zone and set up Nikko Mikacevich for the tying goal on a screened shot with 1:18 left.

Both teams had good opportunities in the final minute. Phillippi made a glove save on Schwantes' shot, and at the other end, Zepeda had an open slap shot from between the circles but fired high.

Hill-Murray finally seemed to realize there was a game on when overtime started and had chances from everywhere to win. But they either missed the net or were stopped by Rothe.

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