February 6, 2007 @ Plymouth Ice Center 7:00

Hill-Murray scored three special teams goals in a non-conference victory over Wayzata, which at 8-13 might be the best sub-500 team in the state. The game was closer than the final score indicated, and wasn't settled until Tyler Zepeda's second goal into an empty net in the final minute.

The Pioneers appeared to be acclimating themselves to the Olympic ice sheet in the first period. Wayzata took two early penalties but spent much of the remainder of the period in the Hill-Murray zone, racking up a 14-7 shot advantage but no goals.

Hill-Murray picked up their play in the second period with better forechecking and passing, and scored the only goal of the period while shorthanded. Tony Danna intercepted a weak shot and sprung Zepeda who scored on a clean breakaway.

Andy Singerhouse nearly extended the Hill-Murray lead moments later, tipping Tory Pearson's centering pass off the post.

On a similar play early in the third period, Dan Cecka redirected Isaac Kohls' pass into the net for a power play goal.

Wayzata cut into the lead with a power play goal of their own at 3:48, when Ryan Wehrs one-timed a cross ice pass from the left circle that went off Joe Phillippi's glove and trickled into the net.

Zepeda drew an interference penalty with 5:16 to play, and after a minute of uneventful power play time, Nick Larson caught Wayzata sleeping, stickhandling in from the neutral zone and splitting two defenders. Goalie Joe Howe stumbled while trying to get into position, and Larson had an easy goal to make it 3-1.

Howe went to the bench for an extra attacker, but Ryan Furne whacked the puck to center ice and Zepeda outraced everyone to it, scoring an uncontested goal to make the final 4-1.

Copyright 1999-2024 hmpioneers.net

.