Menu
Most recent member videos
 
Lakeville North v. Mounds View 11/13/09
Byhuntvideo
|
Billy Turner - Mounds View - Post game video visit
|
Most recent member photos
Latest High School Sports News
Home | Sports | Prep Sports
Dean Spiros: Champion Pioneers reflect their coach
The Hill-Murray Pioneers used two goals by Ryan Furne and a shutout from goalie Joe Phillippi to beat Edina 3-0 and win their third title.
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggRelated Content
More from Prep Sports
The goaltending? Superb throughout. Their transition offense? A key to the ultimate victory. Their toughness? Unquestioned.
The Hill-Murray Pioneers wore many hats en route to their Class 2A boys state high school championship, their successful journey ending on Saturday at Xcel Energy Center with a 3-0 victory over Edina. With kudos being handed out, it would be unjust to overlook the contributions of the well-dressed man in the suit behind the Hill-Murray bench.
There was not a better prepared team, a better coached team at the tournament than Hill-Murray, and for that Bill Lechner should take a bow. Whether it was grinding out a victory over Lakeville South in the quarterfinals, being the hammer to Roseau's nail in the semifinals or shutting down the powerful Hornets on Saturday, Lechner's Pioneers played with a purpose and a oneness.
They were determined to play Hill-Murray hockey, and when it mattered most, it was more than any of their opponents could handle.
"Any coach will tell you the key is being able to play your best hockey at the end of the season,'' Hill-Murray assistant coach Pat Schafhauser said. "When you're dealing with kids, confidence is an amazing thing.''
As Lechner speaks in celebration of what fine representatives his players are of the program and the community, know, too, they were molded in the image of their committed leader.
Hill-Murray captain Ryan Furne, who scored the Pioneers' first two goals, said Lechner's firm-but-fair approach is a big hit with the players.
"Coach is always there pushing and supporting us, just as we believe in him,'' Furne said. "He always has us prepared.''
Preparation for Saturday's title game included a breakdown of the victory over Roseau with the assistant coaches that lasted until 3 a.m. Lechner was up by seven to break down the tape of Edina's semifinal game.
"That's what it takes at this time of year,'' Lechner said. "Otherwise you're guessing, and that's not what you want to be doing against teams like Edina and Roseau. I thought we played a more pure game on Friday, but we came back with the same legal grit.''
This season marked the sixth time in his 11 seasons as head coach that Lechner has taken the Pioneers to the state tournament. They lost the championship game to Holy Angels in 2002 in their last visit.
The 2007-08 version was consistent from the start of the season to the end. The Pioneers lost only three times, the last loss coming on Jan. 15 against Holy Angels, and finished with 15 victories in a row.
"For three days we asked these guys to put aside everything outside of hockey, to be a family, and that's what they did,'' Schafhauser said. "We gave them a game plan every night and they executed it.
"We put in the time, but they put in the hard work all season long. We had to give them the best opportunity to be successful.''
Dean Spiros • dspiros@startribune.com
Recent Prep Sports stories
