Shakopee Outlasts Hermantown in Overtime Thriller

by Robert Brent, Let’s Play Hockey

Two State Championship contenders in their respective classes faced off Saturday afternoon at the Shakopee Ice Arena when the hosting Shakopee Sabers took the ice against the Hermantown Hawks. 

The Sabers came into the game as the fifth-ranked team in class AA, while Hermantown ranked second in class A and had just defeated the #1 team in class A, Hibbing/Chisholm.

When it gets to this time of the year, top teams like Shakopee and Hermantown are gearing up for postseason runs at section championships and state title dreams. Sabers head coach Calvin Simon says playing top teams like the Hawks helps sharpen his team going into the most crucial stretch of their schedule.

“It’s a playoff atmosphere. They’re going to be competing for a title and have a tough section like we do. But that’s part of it when we schedule these games.” Said Simon. “These are the types of games that are going to get us ready for the playoffs.”

The clash lived up to its billing in the opening minutes, with both teams playing an evenly-matched contest. The Sabers had the first major chance to score in the game when they earned a four-minute power play. 

Shakopee’s extra-attacking unit did a good job at producing chances for the Sabers, but they were unable to solve the goaltending puzzle that is senior goaltender Bryce Francisco. Francisco would prove to be a standout, as he is in many games for the Hawks.

Hermantown got a power-play chance of their own later in the period, but Shakopee goaltender Niklas Huson was also up to the challenge.

The first period ended scoreless with the Sabers holding a slight edge in shots at 7-6.

Shakopee started to separate themselves from Hermantown, at least on the shot counter. The Sabers generated offense with a strong forecheck that hemmed Hermantown in their own zone several times. 

Every time Hermantown tried to perform a breakout, Shakopee was there to create a turnover or make it difficult for the Hawks to advance the puck. The Sabers aggressiveness led to an 18-9 shot advantage roughly halfway through the period.

The two teams traded unsuccessful power play opportunities once again towards the end of the second frame and the scoreless deadlock held to end the period.

While the game remained scoreless, Shakopee built their lead in shots on goal to a 22-11 advantage. Coach Simon reflected on the second period as the one where the Sabers fully implemented their gameplan despite a difficult opponent.

“We have a lot of respect for their club and the way they play. They play a fast game,” Simon said. “We like to play our game and we got to it in the second period, but had nothing to show for it. No goals. So it became anyone’s game.”

Despite the excellent play of Hermantown’s Bryce Francisco, Coach Simon says that the message in between periods for Shakopee was one that they had to continue hammering their gameplan.

“This time of year, we believe in our guys and we’ve done a lot of the pushing and strong critiquing. Going into the third, the message was “trust the process, believe in each other, it’s going to happen,” Simon said. “Earlier in the year, you might push on guys, but we want them to believe in themselves and make the plays.”

Shakopee’s belief in their play and gameplan paid off six minutes into the third period when they opened the scoring with the first goal of the game. Daylin Cline scored the goal with assists from Tristin Wassengeso and Cooper Siegert on the power play with a shot from the bottom of the faceoff circle.

The goal was Cline’s fifth of the season and continued a hot streak where he’s scored seven points in his last three games. 

The two goaltenders continued making great saves down the stretch, and it appeared as if a 1-0 final was possible before Hermantown got a golden opportunity late in the period. With 2:12 remaining in the game, the Hawks got an extra-attacker chance when Landon Huh was called for tripping.

Hermantown converted on the opportunity to tie the game with 56 seconds when Micklain Martalock fired a shot into the top corner. Paxon Madill and Kole Lendzyk added assists on the goal that sent the matchup to overtime.

Sabers head coach Simon spoke about the mood in the locker room heading into overtime and what his coaching staff is looking for in high-pressure situations.

“You go into overtime hoping that the guys rely on their training, believe in themselves, and believe in each other.” 

Shakopee’s belief paid off once again in overtime when they scored the game-winning goal on a shot from defender Landon Huh. Huh’s goal was his seventh of the season, as he has proven to be a major offensive threat for the Sabers despite playing from the blue line.

Coach Simon spoke after the game about the victory and Huh’s goal.

“I’m proud of the guys, especially this time of the year, to win a big game like that and get some overtime experience, it’s a big time win for us,” Simon said. “Landon has a shooter’s shot. He played forward a lot as a youth so we know what he’s capable of. We like to play that type of style and it allows everyone to get the opportunities and take their turns.”

The win, the Sabers’ fifth in a row, proved to be a significant test for Shakopee, but it was a test they passed as they shape up for the postseason stretch.

Hermantown found themselves on the losing end of the game for the first time since their loss to Proctor on January 6th. The Hawks will look to get back on track Tuesday, Jan. 20 versus Superior (WI).

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