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Hill-Murray wins early season battle with Benilde

Star Tribune

Last update: December 4, 2007 - 11:53 PM

If nothing else it was an early gauge, a way for two of the top boys' hockey teams in the metro area to see how they stack up. And Tuesday at Aldrich Arena, Hill-Murray was the one that went home smiling after a game that proved as competitive as anticipated.

The Pioneers, No. 2 in the Star Tribune preseason poll, looked strong in holding on for a 3-1 victory over No. 7 Benilde-St. Margaret's. Hill-Murray improved to 2-0 while the Red Knights fell to 2-1.

Hill-Murray couldn't relax until Tyler Zepeda scored an empty-net goal in the closing seconds.

"Benilde's a good hockey team," Hill-Murray coach Bill Lechner said. "We could have played a bad team [this early in the season] but what are you going to learn from that? I was happy with the win, but we're not there yet."

Hill-Murray took a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal at 7:13 of the first period. Nick Widing scored from the slot off a nice feed from Isaac Kohls. Widing returned the favor two minutes later, setting Kohls up in the slot after some good work along the boards.

The second period was scoreless, but the Pioneers held a decided advantage in play. Benilde cut the deficit to 2-1 at 3:03 of the third period. The Red Knights pulled goaltender Rob Ankeny on a delayed penalty and Blake Appelhof beat Joe Phillippi on a wrist shot from the left circle.

Phillippi, who played a strong game, made some big stops to preserve the Pioneers' victory.

DEAN SPIROS