Hibbing Stuns Hermantown, Ends Hawks' Section Title Game Streak

Hibbing Stuns Hermantown, Ends Hawks’ Section Title Appearance Streak

For the first time since 2008, Hermantown will not be playing in the Section 7A championship, as Hibbing pulled off a 5-3 victory over the perennial powerhouse.

The Bluejackets delivered a statement win, capitalizing on key scoring chances and strong goaltending to take down a Hermantown program that had dominated the section for over a decade.

First Period: Even Start

Hermantown struck first just 4:13 into the game, as Charlie Marchand buried a setup from River Freeman and Ford Skytta to put the Hawks up 1-0.
Hibbing/Chisholm responded on the power play at 8:54, when Tate Swanson finished a setup from Ethan Sundvall and Cole Swanson, tying the game at 1-1.
The period ended even on the scoreboard and nearly even in shots (Hermantown 8, Hibbing 7), setting the stage for a crucial second period.

Second Period: Bluejackets Take Control

Just over four minutes into the second (4:15), Hibbing/Chisholm grabbed its first lead as Tate Swanson netted his second goal of the night, assisted by Isaiah Hildenbrand and Cole Swanson to make it 2-1 Bluejackets.
Hermantown tied it back up at 8:00, as Gabe Swenson capitalized on a power play, scoring off a feed from River Freeman and Mick Martalock to make it 2-2.
The Bluejackets answered back with a pair of even-strength goals in a span of less than a minute:
- At 12:55, Benny Galli fired one home, assisted by Jace Kampsula and Ethan Sundvall to regain the lead 3-2.
- Then, just 53 seconds later (13:48), Isaiah Hildenbrand extended the lead to 4-2, as Cole Swanson and Tate Swanson picked up assists.
Hermantown found themselves trailing heading into the third, a rare position for the Hawks in a section semifinal.

Third Period: Hibbing/Chisholm Seals the Deal

The Bluejackets delivered the dagger at 5:36, as Cole Swanson scored an even-strength goal to stretch the lead to 5-2.
Hermantown made one last push at 8:28, when River Freeman scored off a setup from Ford Skytta and Charlie Marchand, closing the gap to 5-3.
Despite outshooting Hibbing 30-27, Hermantown could not find a way past goalie Rex Walli, who stopped 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) to secure the biggest win in Hibbing/Chisholm’s program history in recent years.

Key Takeaways

✅ Hibbing/Chisholm’s Offensive Depth – Five different players recorded at least two points, led by Tate Swanson (2G, 1A) and Cole Swanson (1G, 3A).
✅ Goaltending Stood Tall – Rex Walli (27 saves, .900 SV%) outplayed Hermantown’s Bryce Francisco (22 saves, .815 SV%).
✅ Hermantown’s Section Dominance Ends – The Hawks’ streak of section championship appearances (since 2008) is officially over.
✅ Bluejackets’ Special Teams Were the Difference – Hibbing went 1-for-3 on the power play, matching Hermantown, but played a more disciplined game late.