State Boys Hockey: Hermantown moves on to Class A semifinals after win over New Prague

Top-seeded Hermantown advanced to the semifinals of the Minnesota State High School League’s Boys Hockey State Tournament following a 5-1 victory over New Prague in the Class A quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

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The Hawks (27-2) wasted no time in getting their offense going as junior Wyatt Carlson converted on an early power play to give Hermantown a 1-0 lead just 96 seconds into the contest. The offense continued the pressure, scoring twice more in less than two minutes. Junior forward Zam Plante scored a minute after Carlson and Dom Thomas would add a goal of his own 30 seconds later, making it 3-0. About nine minutes into the period Hermantown would score again, as Plante found the back of the net taking a pass from sophomore Max Plante.

New Prague (11-16-2) would get on the board before the end of the period with a power play goal from senior forward William Andersen, which was assisted by freshman wing Luke Portner and senior wing Charles Turnberg. The Trojans would have one more power-play chance before the first period was over, but the Hawks were able to kill the penalty leaving it at 4-1 heading into the first intermission.

After a quiet second period with no scoring, the Hawks added another score a little less than four minutes into the third with Max Plante finishing off a play from junior Kade Kohanski and Zam Plante.

Senior goalie Carter Puente was busy all game for the Trojans, finishing with 42 saves.

Hermantown will play in the semifinals on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center, taking on the winner of the final quarterfinal between Alexandria ad Minneapolis. New Prague will head to the consolation bracket and play on Thursday at 3M Arena at Mariucci on the campus of the University of Minnesota at 11:00 a.m.

Courtesy: State High School League