Live score recap: Moorhead tops Lakeville South in Minnesota high school boys hockey state tournament (3/6/2025)

Get game updates from the MSHSL boys hockey state tournament Class 2A quarterfinals between the Spuds and Cougars

Sartell hockey sophomore Brady Anderson guards Moorhead junior Zak Devig on January 14, 2025 during a game at Scheels Athletic Complex in Sartell. The Sabres lost 3-0. / Reid Glenn / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The No. 1-seed Moorhead Spuds (26-2-1) defeated the No. 8-seed Lakeville South Cougars (18-10) 7-4 in the 2025 Minnesota (MSHSL) high school boys hockey state tournament Class 2A quarterfinals on Thursday at the Xcel Energy Center.

The Cougars put the Spuds through a difficult test in the quarterfinals. For the first half of the game, Lakeville South looked like the No. 1-seed with a 4-2 lead. 

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“Let's call it what it is; it wasn’t the start we were looking for,” Moorhead head coach Joe Ammerman said. “I was really impressed with the resilience of the guys.”

The Cougars had a shots-on-goal advantage, and they felt like they could attack the Spuds with their team speed. Moorhead could only be held down for so long. Senior forward Mason Kraft scored his third of four goals on the night late in the second period, and Tyden Bergeson added another goal one minute later to tie the game heading into the third period. 

“We knew Lakeville South was one of the hottest teams in the state,” Kraft said. “It’s good to have close games. I think finding a way to win is a skill.”

The Spuds scored three goals in the third period to clinch a spot in the semifinals, but it wasn’t total control. Moorhead's first goal of the period was initially called off because Lakeville South goalie Carson Hauger had his blocker knocked off by his own teammate moments before the goal. 

After review, the goal was allowed. Minutes later, the Cougars had a game-tying goal called off after a review for what looked to be goalie interference. 

“I did not get an explanation,” Lakeville South head coach Josh Storm said. “I would love one.”

Moorhead added a second goal in the period and an empty-net goal to finish with a three-goal win, but the Cougars made the Spuds sweat. 

“I take a lot of pride with how we come down and compete down here,” Storm said. “South comes down and competes at a high level every time we come down here. Our kids felt very disrespected this week. … There was never a doubt in my mind that this would be a hockey game into the third period.”

Moorhead moves on to the winner of Edina vs. Rogers in the Class 2A semifinals on Friday at 8 p.m. at the Xcel Energy Center. Lakeville South moves to the consolation bracket.

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Live score recap: Moorhead survives against Lakeville South in Minnesota high school boys hockey state tournament (3/6/2025)

Teams are on the ice for introductions.

FIRST PERIOD UPDATES

Moorhead wins the opening face-off and we're underway.

GOAL LAKEVILLE SOUTH! Will Kortan slides one past Moorhead goalie Charlie Stenehjem on Lakeville South's first shot of the game. Kortan shot hard and low from from just inside the right face-off circle. Tristan Lawrence and Charlie Hunst with the assist. The Cougars lead 1-0 with 15:27 remaining in the first period.

GOAL MOORHEAD! Mason Kraft collects a bounce off the boards and backhands it into the top of the net. Zac Zimmerman and Evan Wanner with an assist. The game is tied 1-1 with 13:23 remaining in the first period.

GOAL LAKEVILLE SOUTH! Kortan gets another for the Cougars. Tanner Gilbertson centers one for Kortan right after a face-off. Lakeville South leads 2-1 with 12:35 remaining in the game.

GOAL LAKEVILLE SOUTH! Jackson Ernst carries a puck into the Moorhead zone, past a Spud defender and five-holes the goalie. Oscar Balkins with the assist. Lakeville South leads 3-1 with 6:15 remaining.

GOAL MOORHEAD! The Spuds respond 30 seconds later. Zimmerman is left open right in front of the goal and he scores. Kraft with the assist. Lakeville South leads 3-2 with 5:41 remaining.

Lakeville South with a near-open net on a rebound, but the shot hits the post — 1:32 remains in the first period.

END OF FIRST PERIOD: Lakeville South 3, Moorhead 2

The Cougars have a 13-7 shots-on-goal advantage through the first period.

SECOND PERIOD UPDATES

The second period is underway.

GOAL LAKEVILLE SOUTH! Carter Ernst puts one into the top of the net 12 seconds into the second period. Lakeville South leads 4-2 with 16:48 remaining in the period.

POWER PLAY FOR LAKEVILLE SOUTH! Zimmerman gets two minutes for charging — 13:15 remaining in the second period.

Moorhead kills the penalty.

GOAL MOORHEAD! Kraft scores for the Spuds. He rifles it into the net from the right face-off circle. Brandon Mickelson and Brooks Cullen with the assists. Lakeville South leads 4-3 with 6:46 remaining in the period.

GOAL MOORHEAD! Tyden Bergeson ties the game for the Spuds. His shot came from the left face-off circle. Assist from Carver Hasbargen and Zak Devig. The game is tied with 5:40 remaining.

END OF SECOND PERIOD: Moorhead 4, Lakeville South 4

Lakeville South with a 23 to 20 shots-on-goal advantage through two periods.

THIRD PERIOD UPDATES

The third period is underway.

GOAL MOORHEAD! Brooks Cullen scores from the top of the crease. The goal was initally called a no-goal after the Lakeville South goalie had his blocker knocked off his hand, but after review, the goal counts. Tyden Bergeson and Max Cullen with the assist. Moorhead leads 5-4 with 12:32 remaining in the game.

Lakeville South scores 30 seconds later, but the goal is under review for goalie interference.

The goal is disallowed after review. Moorhead leads 5-4 with 11:57 remaining in the third period.

Six minutes remain in the period.

GOAL MOORHEAD! Kraft puts the Spuds up by two goals. Tyden Bergeson with the spinning assist to set up the goal. Moorhead leads 6-4 with 4:40 remaining.

Lakeville South takes a timeout with 59 seconds remaining and down by two goals.

The Cougars come out of the timeout with no goalie.

GOAL MOORHEAD! Bergeson scores the open-net goal. Moorhead leads 7-4 with 21 seconds remaining.

FINAL: Moorhead 7, Lakeville South 4

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