February 29, 2008 @ Coliseum 9:00

New year, new section, same theme. Hill-Murray and White Bear Lake, who for 33 years dominated Section 3, played another classic championship, this time for the Section 4 title. It was a tight game throughout, well-played by both teams with only one penalty and few mistakes. In the end, Jordan Johnson's goal 1:45 into the third period stood up, and Hill-Murray won a third consecutive trip to the state tournament, the 22nd in school history.

White Bear Lake knew they had to play better defensively after losing to the Pioneers 5-2 and 6-3 in December. The Bears are by no means as explosive as Hill-Murray offensively, but executed their game plan as well as they could, which was to slow the game down, give goalie Owen Collette a chance to stop the puck, and throw shots at the Hill-Murray net whenever possible. Collette had the fantastic game the Bears needed if they were to win, and although the Pioneers generally had the better quality chances, White Bear kept themselves in the game until the very end.

Hill-Murray started out strong but by the middle of the first period, the game had become a tight checking, grind it out affair. The Bears managed several good looks at the net, including one by Zach Hoffman from between the circles that Joe Phillippi snared with his glove. The Pioneers' best chance of the opening period came in the last seconds, when Ryan Furne blocked a shot that led to a 2-on-0, which he shot wide while being chased down by a defender.

The second period was the most one-sided territorially, with Hill-Murray outshooting the Bears 14-6 and increasingly forcing Collette to come up with more dramatic saves. Furne unleashed a one-timer that even knocked the stick of out Collette's hand but did not go in. Finally, the Pioneers broke through with five minutes to go, as Nick Widing sent a beautiful pass to Tyler Zepeda streaking up the right side. Zepeda went in alone on Collette and put in a backhand to break the scoreless deadlock.

The Bears did not allow Hill-Murray to enjoy their lead. 25 seconds later, Chris Fiala scored the equalizer, coming down the left side on a 2-on-2 and sniping a shot over Phillippi's right shoulder.

The Pioneers had a great chance to go back in front as Isaac Kohls came down the right side and waited as long as he could to slide a pass across the crease to Dan Cecka, but Collette extended his right pad just in time.

Hill-Murray again started buzzing the net to start the third period, and was rewarded with an early goal courtesy of defenseman Jordan Johnson, who threw the puck at the net from the blue line. It caromed off a body and sailed past Collette's right shoulder, and the Pioneers led 2-1.

Much as a baseball team hands a slim ninth inning lead to its closer, Hill-Murray appeared ready to rely on Joe Phillippi to save the day and hold on to the end. Throughout the night, White Bear played best immediately after Hill-Murray scored. It was right after the goal that the lone penalty of the game was called, and the Bears kept shooting hard shots at the net. Fiala had a good look from the slot after his own shot had been blocked and came back to him, and the Bears tipped a point shot on goal that came after an unusual high stick infraction led to a faceoff in the Pioneer zone. Phillippi was equal to the task, as he has been so often against White Bear Lake; the senior netminder will end his career never having been beaten by the orange and black, a perfect 8-0.

To be fair, Hill-Murray had plenty of chances to go up by two. Widing and Kohls got off open shots on odd-man rushes, which were again smothered by Collette. Gradually, the Pioneers' defensive strength began to take over, and the Bears could not manage a shot on goal in the final four minutes.

Now it's off to the state tournament, which will feature plenty of green to match the seats in the Xcel Energy Center. State powers Roseau and Edina have already made the field, which looks to be one of the strongest in recent years. Now the Section 4 champion, Hill-Murray will continue its quest for a state title Thursday in St. Paul.

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