Moorhead’s game plan included a fast start, and what the Spuds got was a deflection off a Stillwater defenseman’s skate for a goal that ended the Ponies goaltender Cal Conway’s shutout streak at 1:22 of the first period.

In the end, it was the No. 1 Moorhead Spuds defeating the No. 2 Stillwater Ponies in a battle featuring two schools that had never won a boys' state hockey championship. The star was Mason Kraft, who scored four times in the first period to set the tone for the night.

The Moorhead Spuds defeated Lakeville North on Thursday to advance to the Class AA semifinals at 8 p.m. Friday, March 7, at Xcel Energy Center.

Because Stillwater put quite a late scare in the Spuds. Mason Kraft tied a state record by scoring four times in a five-goal first period, and the Spuds held off Stillwater 7-6 in the Class 2A state boys hockey final Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center.

For the Moorhead boys hockey team, a state championship comes after a season of challenge. “This isn’t just hockey for us; it’s honoring Ethan,” declares Jenna Askvig. “The team supporting my son; it means everything to me.