UPDATE: In a thrilling matchup, Hermantown junior Gabe Swenson clinched a crucial victory for his team over Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (CEC), scoring the decisive goal with less than 6 minutes remaining, leading to a final score of 4-2 at the Northwoods Federal Credit Union Arena.
With the game tied at 2-2, Swenson made a bold play, opting to take a shot instead of passing. “I figured I would try to get to the middle and rip a shot — see what happens — and it went in,” he said. This pivotal goal not only showcased Swenson’s instincts but also helped maintain Hermantown’s impressive record of 8-0-2 this season.
The Lumberjacks initially put pressure on Hermantown, outshooting them 13-5 in the first period. However, Hermantown goalie Bryce Francisco stood tall with 28 saves, crucially keeping the game close. “We weren’t our best at times tonight, but Bryce was up to the task,” said coach Pat Andrews. “He made some really tough saves look routine.”
Despite a strong start from CEC, which included a power play goal late in the second period by Luca Genilini, Hermantown managed to seize the lead. Paxson Madill scored the initial goal for Hermantown, but CEC’s resilience kept them in the game.
“In the second period, we knew they were going to make a push,” CEC coach Shea Walters noted. “We started a little flat, but then again — we had a great response.”
CEC’s goalie, Jacob Iallonardo, was also instrumental, demonstrating explosive saves that thwarted Hermantown’s offensive efforts. Walters praised Iallonardo, stating, “There is no bigger competitor than him.” The Lumberjacks maintained a strong penalty kill, having only allowed one goal in this area all season.
As Hermantown heads into a short Christmas break, they continue to hold the top spot in Class A rankings. Francisco commented on the team’s undefeated status: “It’s crazy to think that we haven’t lost yet. We’re having a great year, but we’re focused on taking it one game at a time.”
Next up, Hermantown will host Delano, currently ranked No. 3 in Class A, at 3 p.m. on Friday. Fans and players alike are eager to see if they can maintain their winning streak as they navigate the competitive landscape of high school hockey.
