Hill Murray Celebrates the game winning goal by Ben Bahe

 
ST PAUL, MN - The Hill Murray Pioneers and White Bear Lake Bears battled to a classic, and very familiar, finish in the Class AA Section 4 Semi-finals. This one was won on a Ben Bahe wrist shot that beat Owen Collette in overtime for a 5-4 Hill Murray victory.

The game started with a lot of back and forth action, but few shots on goal. Willie Faust of Hill Murray got the lone 1st period goal at 10:00. Shots for the period were 5-3 in favor of White Bear Lake.

The scoring picked up fast and furious in the 2nd period. White Bear tied the score just 1:02 into the period. Mike Slator picked up that goal for the Bears. Hill Murray went right back on top with a break away goal by Tyler Zepeda at 2:10. The two teams battled all period long, each having chances. At 12:25 of the 2nd period, Chad Lowell was camped out to the side of the crease. He grabbed a rebound, waited for Shaugnessey to commit and beat him high for the tying goal. Hill Murray responded right away, at 14:39 Westerhaus took a pass from Jack Walsh and beat Collette to regain the lead. The Pioneers went up by 2 with a power play goal exactly one minute later, Tyler Zepeda got his 2nd of the game.

The third period started slowly for the Bears, unable to capitalize on a power play at the start of the period. However they did manage to tie score with two quick goals. Ryan Wolter swatted home a rebound off a wrap around attempt at 6:34 and then Max Birkinbine scored from just inside the circle on the power play at 7:39. There were many opportunities for the Bears to take their first lead of the game, but they were unable to do so. The biggest chance came late in the 3rd as the Bears fired a puck that beat Shaugnessey glove side with 2.5 seconds left. However, just as the shot was being taken, the net was knocked off and therefore the goal was disallowed. It was the right call, but nonetheless, the Bears faithful thought they had the winner.

In overtime, the Pioneers had several chances. Tyler Zepeda hit the crossbar early in the period before setting up Bahe’s winner at the 6:34 mark.

Hill Murray advances to the section finals to face the Stillwater Ponies.

Stars of the game:

1: Hill Murray’s Ben Bahe Game winning goal and an assist.
2: Hill Murray’s Tyler Zepeda, 2 goals 2 assists including an assist on the game winner
3. White Bear Lake’s Ryan Wolter 1 goal and 1 assist

Honorary top star of the game:

Super Save Sid Thompson. Sid deflected a puck that was flying into the crowd, preventing serious injury to MSBN staff.