Hill-Murray Pioneer Hockey: Game 2006-12-28

First Period
WBL, Tony Villneauve (Taylor Johnson, Jake Hansen), 11:34 (5x3 pp).
HM, Jeff Westerhaus (Isaac Kohls, Dan Sova), 16:37.

Second Period
HM, Ryan Furne (Nick Larson, Logan Nugent), 7:32.
HM, Tyler Zepeda (Dan Cecka), 14:08 (sh).

Third Period
WBL, Steve Prall (Tony Villneauve, Taylor Johnson), 11:45 (sh).

Shots by period
Hill-Murray	15	8	13	-	36
White Bear Lake	8	6	7	-	21

Goalies Minutes GA Saves Result
HM - Joe Phillippi 51 2 19 W
WBL - Aaron Corey 31 3 18 L
WBL - John Vichich 20 0 15 Entered 14:08 into 2nd period

Power Plays Goals Attempts Time
Hill-Murray 0 7
White Bear Lake 1 5

Hill-Murray got the best of their rivals for the second time this season, taking the Schwan Cup 3rd place prize in the process. White Bear Lake, now 5-8 against a tough schedule, continued to come up just short against a quality opponent. The game featured numerous penalties throughout, but it was Tyler Zepeda's shorthanded goal that eventually held up as the game winner for Hill-Murray.

The Pioneers dominated the first period, missing on two breakaways and several more odd man rushes, but the Bears took a 1-0 lead while on a two man advantage. Tony Villneauve one-timed Taylor Johnson's cross rink pass from the left circle at 11:34.

Jeff Westerhaus pulled Hill-Murray even on an innocent looking rush in the final minute of the first period, when his shot deflected off a defenseman and into the upper corner of the net.

Midway through the second period, Ryan Furne's wicked wrist shot from the right circle handcuffed Aaron Corey and settled in the net for a 2-1 lead.

The Bears had the only two power plays of the period, but the Pioneers scored the only special teams goal. Dan Cecka sent Zepeda in alone on Corey and he scored to make it 3-1.

A string of five White Bear penalties gave Hill-Murray half a period's worth of power play time in the third, but they couldn't put the game away. Instead, Steve Prall scored on a shorthanded breakaway with 5:15 to play.

The Bears had one final chance in the closing seconds, when Villneauve came up the slot, taking a shot that deflected off the crossbar and bounced over the net.