The 2013 Section 7A Championship featured a crosstown battle between a top-seeded Duluth Denfeld team hoping to break a 24-year tournament drought and a second seed Duluth Marshall team looking to make the trip to State for the second year in a row.

The Hilltoppers got on the scoreboard first, with Matthew Klassen finding the net just under six minutes into the game. Denfeld's Levi Talarico answered back just over two minutes later, setting up a 1-1 score midway through the first period. Kris Mckinzie for the Hilltoppers broke the first period tie at the 9:29 mark on a power play score, which would leave the first period at 2-1 in favor of Marshall.

Reid Lemker would make use of the man advantage and even the score at 2-2 for the Hunters on the power play late in the second period. Sophomore Cam McClure hit the twine for the fifth time this season to put the Hilltoppers ahead in the closing seconds of the second period.

Both teams battled hard in the third, playing a chippy and aggressive period of hockey that kept fans on their seats, but neither team found the net again, making McClure's late goal in the second period the game winner with a final score of 3-2 in favor of the Hilltoppers.

For the Hunters, the 2012-2013 season ends at Amsoil Arena taking home the Section 7A runner-up trophy. The Hilltoppers now wait for the remainder of the Class A field to settle as they prepare for their second trip to State in a row. Their first game will fall sometime Wednesday, depending on where they fall in the shuffle of teams that advance into the tourney. They will look to improve on last year's appearance, losing in the first round of the tournament to Breck in a 7-0 shutout at Xcel Energy Center.

Duluth Denfeld vs. Duluth Marshall - 2013 Section 7A Championship

February 27, 2013 - Amsoil Arena, Duluth, MN

loading...

More From KOOL 101.7