Zach Thompson and the Duluth Denfeld boys hockey team had a night they will never forget.

Thompson had 52 saves in a game against the Greyhounds of Duluth East, and Denfeld needed each and everyone of them.

Duluth Denfeld topped Duluth East in high school boy’s hockey for the first-time in 17 years on Tuesday night 5-4.

The last Hunters victory over their cross-town rivals was February of 1994-1995 season, by a 2-0 score.

52 saves on 56 shots.

Kyler Chartier gave the Duluth East Greyhounds a 1-0 lead after the first period.  But Denfeld answered, with a goal from Steven Maciver in the 2nd period to tie it at 1-1.

The Hunters would regain the lead after a Patrick Potswald goal that gave them a 2-1 lead after two periods, and the Hunters started thinking upset.

Not really an upset, as Denfeld was ranked 12th in the state in Class A.

Duluth East tied the game on a goal by Jack Forbort, 2-2 in the third period.  Ryan Lundgren with an assist on the goal.

Alex Larson scored for Denfeld to give them a 3-2 lead at 4:46 of the 3rd period..

Alex Thompson then scored two goals, the first one made it  4-2 and then again to make it 5-2.  Hunters on cruise control.  Not quite.

Joey Marinac for Duluth East with a wrist shot at the point made in 5-3.

Then with the goalie pulled, Miers Moore would make it a 5-4 game as he flipped the puck past Zach Thompson.  But that was the end of the run for the “Hounds.  They took a penalty and could not get another goal.

5-4 Denfeld over East for the first time in 17 years.  February 1994-1995 season the last Hunters win over East.  The first Kevin Smalley win over Mike Randolph.

52 saves for Zach Thompson.

Hunters now 11-4 on the year and will face Proctor on Friday night.

Duluth East takes the loss, and they will host Grand Rapids on Thursday night also on My9.

In other hockey games on Tuesday night:

  • Grand Rapids beat Hermantown 5-4 in overtime.  More on the Thunderhawks below.
  • C-E-C beat Hibbing-Chisholm 7-3.
  • Virginia-MIB over International Falls 3-2.
  • Eveleth-Gilbert  5 Ely 3.

In girl’s hockey:

  • Duluth Northern Stars  2 Hibbing-Chisholm 1
  • Mirage  4 Silver Bay 0

In other hockey notes, Former Duluth East Greyhound Trevor Olson was involved in a trade, sending the USHL player from Green Bay to Sioux City, where former UMD Assistant Coach Brett Larson is the Head Coach.

Larson used to play at UMD and was even an assistant coach for many years with UMD.

UMD produced a Hobey Baker winner in Jack Connolly last year.  The 2012-13 names were announced this week.

Three UMD Bulldogs are among the initial 77 candidates for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award. Freshman Tony Camaranesi is one of the three, but his focus is on the weekend’s series with Michigan Tech at Amsoil Arena.  The Bulldogs tied and lost to the Huskies in Duluth a year ago.

Camaranesi said, “A little surprising to be honest with you, I hadn’t expected anything like that. It’s an honor for all of us, but the big thing is, we have to focus on getting these wins this weekend.”

Grand Rapids Tourist Information Center released some details for the upcoming Hockey Day in Minnesota, on January 19th.  Here it is:

The Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association, in collaboration with Minnesota Wild, FOX Sports North and Wells Fargo, are bringing the 2013 Hockey Day MN to Pokegama Lake in Grand Rapids, Minnesota on January 19, 2013. This 7thAnnual Hockey Day MN is a celebration of hockey as a pastime and way of life in our great State of Hockey. The Grand Rapids on-ice boy’s high school match-ups including Grand Rapids and the defending state champions from Benilde-St. Margaret at 10am and Hibbing taking on Eagan at 1pm. The girl’s match-up is last year’s Section 7 Champions, the Grand Rapids-Greenway Lightning squaring off against Hibbing at 4pm.

Details for the event:

  • · Tickets are available for purchase in advance online (www.grhockeyday.com) or at the gate the day of the event. Prices for students are $10 online or $15 at the gate, adults are $15 online or $20 at the gate and VIP are $50 in advance online or $60 at the gate. VIP tickets include priority seating and warming tent with complimentary refreshments.
  • · Clubhouse parking will be available on the driving range of the Pokegama Golf Course. Limited to 200 parking spaces. Parking passes are available for $30 online at http://www.grhockeyday.com. Remote parking with shuttle service will be provided at Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital. A $5/person donation is encouraged for the shuttle service.
  • · Gates open at 8am and will close ½ hour after conclusion of the 3rd high school game.
  • · Youth hockey games will be played at the site during the week prior to and day after Hockey Day. Games are open and free to the public.
  • · Boys and girls at and below Squirt/10U level are invited to play ‘pond hockey’ on the auxiliary rink throughout the day. Commemorative jerseys will be given to the first 100 kids.

This event will allow Grand Rapids to be highlighted for not only its rich hockey history, but also for the multitude of winter activities that take place in our area including ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross country skiing. In showcasing our area’s features, we have the great potential to grow our local economy by way of increased tourism.

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