Hill-Murray Pioneer Hockey: Game 2011-02-12

First Period
HM, J.D. Cotroneo (Zach LaValle, Luke Voltin), 6:45.

Second Period
Moor, Eric Brenk (Jesse Doschadis, Bryant Christian), 8:57.
HM, Bob Bruski (Jake Guentzel, Travis Wood), 10:14.

Third Period
Moor, Bryant Christian (Logan Ness, Brendan Johnson), 2:22.
HM, Ben Bahe (Blake Heinrich), 11:59.

Shots by period
Hill-Murray	13	9	7	-	29
Moorhead	5	5	9	-	19

Goalies Minutes GA Saves Result
HM - Tim Shaughnessy 51 2 17 W
Moor - Michael Bitzer 51 3 26 L

Power Plays Goals Attempts Time
Hill-Murray 0 1 2:00
Moorhead 0 1 2:00

Hill-Murray prevailed 3-2 in a game that turned out to be more about experiencing outdoor hockey in February than a true test of which of these two premier programs was at the top of their game. Temperatures near freezing, the warmest of the season, combined with bright sunlight made parts of the ice treacherous, especially near the goal at the north end of the rink.

With the Governor on hand for the ceremonial puck drop, Hill-Murray's J.D. Cotroneo scored the only goal of the first period on a rebound of Zach LaValle's shot from the blue line. That's not a misprint; it was a defenseman backhanding a loose puck near the net after a slapshot by a forward.

Moorhead's Eric Brenk scored an equalizing goal on a breakaway, caused in part by a Pioneer forward tripping through some suspect ice near the offensive blue line. Hill-Murray got the lead right back with a nice pass from Jake Guentzel that set up Bobby Bruski streaking down the slot.

Moorhead tied the game for a second time at 2:22 of the third; Bryant Christian did the honors by tapping in a loose puck in the crease. Once again, Hill-Murray responded with a go-ahead goal. After a Moorhead defenseman stumbled trying to handle a bouncing puck in the neutral zone, Bahe had an open lane up the right side and shot five-hole for the winning goal.