On Thursday evening, No. 2 Cloquet-Esko-Carlton boy’s hockey defeated No. 1 Hermantown 3-1 in their regular season matchup, a potential preview for the 2025 Section 7A championship game.

Hermantown’s Ethan Aysta would put the Hawks on the board with 1:36 left in the first period, CEC’s Niko Gentilini would retaliate with a goal of his own with 25 seconds to go in the first period. With only 39 seconds in the second period, CEC’s Bobby Thornton would net the puck to take the Lumberjack lead, and with 1:31 left in the third period CEC’s Grady Knutson would solidify their lead with an empty netter after Hermantown pulled their goaltender.

Hermantown’s goaltender Bryce Francisco would make 25 saves throughout the game, while CEC’s Jacob Iallonardo would make 29.

Hermantown (13-6-3) will return to play Moorhead on Friday, January 13st at 7PM in Hermantown. Click here to view their full season schedule.

Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (17-4) will return to play Minneapolis on Saturday, February 1st at 3PM in Cloquet. Click here to view their full season schedule.