State Hockey: Hermantown Earns Redemption Against Mahtomedi in Instant Classic

Hermantown now advances to the Class A state title game against St. Cloud Cathedral on Saturday. Puck drop is at 12 PM.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- The Hermantown boys hockey team would get revenge on Friday, knocking off Mahtomedi in the Class A Semifinals, 7 to 6 in overtime.

The Hawks would put up four goals in the first period, those coming from River Freeman, Jack Slattengren, A.J. Francisco, and Weston Bohlman.

That lead would dwindle down to just one in the 3rd after Wyatt Tarnowski pulled the Zephyrs within one.

But, shortly after that, A.J. Francisco would give the Hawks some breathing room with his 3rd goal of the day.

Mahtomedi would still stick around because with under 51 seconds to go Max Strecker would light the lamp to force overtime.

In overtime though, River Freeman started off the day with a goal and he would finish the day with a goal. Freeman’s the hero as the Hawks advance to their first state title game since 2022.

It was Mahtomedi who ended Hermantown’s season a year ago, 2-1 in the same Class A semifinals.

Hermantown will now clash with St. Cloud Cathedral in the Class A state title game on Saturday. Puck drop is at 12 PM.