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.

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. It’s the first time Moorhead is returning up Interstate 94 to Northwest Minnesota with championship hardware in nine title game appearances.

Moorhead faces off with Stillwater for the Minnesota State High School League Class AA championship at the Xcel Energy Center. East Grand Forks defeats St. Cloud Cathedral in OT: Score, live updates of Minnesota Class A state boys hockey championship game

ST. PAUL — Mason Kraft will end his senior season with the Moorhead Spuds a state champion and the state's Mr. Hockey. Kraft was named the Mr. Hockey recipient, an award given to the top boys hockey player in Minnesota, at the awards banquet Sunday afternoon at RiverCentre.

Moorhead pulled off a 4-3 victory over Edina on a goal with 58.1 seconds left. Stillwater won on goaltender Cal Conway’s second shutout of the tournament.

Moorhead outlasted Stillwater in a high-scoring game before 20,491 fans for the Minnesota Class 2A crown at the 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.