Box Score: Duluth Marshall vs. Warroad - 2008 Class A Semifinal

Duluth Marshall 3, Warroad 1 (Final)

Duluth Marshall | 1 | 1 | 1 || 3 |
Warroad | 0 | 0 | 1 || 1 |

Shots:

Duluth Marshall | 8 | 6 | 5 || 19 |
Warroad | 9 | 15 | 10 || 34 |

Scoring:

1st Period:

Duluth Marshall: 11:46, Tom Paine 1 (unassisted)

Warroad started out dominating the offense in the game but could not put the puck in the net. Willie Paul is doing very well in goal for Duluth Marshall so far.

Tom Paine and the Hilltoppers' strike first. The offensive pendulum swung back in Marshall School's favor during the second half of the period.

Well played game through the first period. The game is everything that I have anticipated it would be so far. Hard hitting, good goaltending, and decent scoring chances for both sides. Jon Hellquist of Warroad is standing out with some hard hits that he is putting on the Hilltoppers.

2nd Period:

Duluth Marshall: 2:52, Zach Mausolf 1 (Dano Jacques)

The Hilltoppers score again. Defenseman Dano Jacques carried the puck deep into Warroad's end and behind the net. He threw the puck out front and Zach Mausolf was right there the slam the puck home past Jared Paquin. Very nice execution by Jacques and Mausolf.

Warroad is swarming around Willy Paul and they are peppering him this period. We'll see if Paul can continue to handle the onslaught.

There is a lot of hitting going on. Hellquist just punished another Hilltopper skater, Lanny Olson, in Marshall's end. It has been a very fun game to watch on both ends.

Warroad's Jeremy Hahn just missed the net as he penetrated deep and had Paul out of position. The shaft of Paul's stick barely misdirected Hahn's shot wide. Paul just saved another point blank shot by the Warriors. Paul's effort is worth a number one star through two periods.

This game is far from over. Remember what happened in Warroad! It only took 16 seconds to score two the last time. The Warriors are VERY aggressive. Duluth Marshall may need to try and 'HANG ON!' again.

Third Period:

Duluth Marshall: 0:15, Zach Mausolf 2 (David Hafferty)
Warroad: 9:28, Dane Shaugabay 1 (Jeremy Hahn, Bryce Ravndalen)

Nice quick backhand by Zach Mausolf just 15 seconds into the third period as the Warriors turned it over in their own zone. A pass was picked off by David Hafferty and he quickly passed out front to a waiting Mausolf. It really was what the Hilltoppers needed to make sure that they are not back on their heals the entire third period. They have some breathing room.

Boom! Marshall's Trent Harris knocked the Warriors' Michael Pieper into the Warroad bench. Fantastic hitting going on all game. The Warriors' Hellquist gets the MAC (Most Awesome Checks) in this game though.

Warroad could not take advantage of a power play in the middle of the third period. The chances for another miraculous comeback are starting to fade for the Warriors.

Warroad FINALLY beats Willy Paul after Jeremy Hahn and Dane Shaugabay crash the net. Shaugabay slammed in the rebound after Hahn's initial attempt. The game gets interesting again.

Warroad pulls Jared Paquin from the net at about two minutes to go.

Willy Paul stops another point blank shot by the Warriors with about a minute to go. Paul has stopped several of those today.

Well deserved win by Duluth Marshall. Willy Paul was the difference though as the Hilltoppers were outshot 19 to 34 by Warroad.

FYI ... According to NHL rules, I had been defining the game-winning goals incorrectly. I just found this out today. My definition of a game-winning goal is the goal that is scored when the winning team takes the lead in the game AND never relinquishes that lead. When Tom Paine scored the first goal for Duluth Marshall today, the Hilltoppers never lost their lead. I think Tom Paine deserved the game-winning goal honors. If Warroad would have came back and tied the game at 2-2 and then Mausolf scored the third goal, then the honor would go to Mausolf as scoring the game-winner.

The NHL definition is as follows:

"After the final score has been determined, the goal which leaves the winning Club one goal ahead of its opponent is the game-winning goal (example: if Team A beats Team B 8-3, the player scoring the fourth goal for Team A receives credit for the game-winning goal)."

I don't like their definition but I will go with it. My definition makes more sense to me. Now, I have to figure out the spots where I gave the wrong person the credit according to MY definition of the rule. Actually, I'm going to leave my rules in tact for games prior to this one. Going forward, I will go by the NHL rule. If you like my rule better and if I get at least 10 emails stating so, I'll leave MY RULE intact.

Congratulations to the Hilltoppers on a nice win! On to Saturday's Class A championship......

Saves: Willy Paul (Duluth Marshall) 33 | Jared Paquin (Warroad) 16

FollowThePuck's Three Stars:

1. Willy Paul - Duluth Marshall
2. Zach Mausolf - Duluth Marshall
3. Dane Shaugabay - Warroad