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Freshman Leads Hill-Murray Over Burnsville

11/23/2015, 8:45am CST
By Peter Odney

Ben Helgeson's First Varsity Goals Key 4-3 Comeback Win

Hill-Murray’s Emmet Nath celebrates scoring the tying goal in the Pioneers’ 4-3 win over Burnsville. Nath’s goal came late in the second period, tying the game 3-3 after being down 3-1. Credit: Peter Odney.

Hill-Murray’s Emmet Nath celebrates scoring the tying goal in the Pioneers’ 4-3 win over Burnsville. Nath’s goal came late in the second period, tying the game 3-3 after being down 3-1. Credit: Peter Odney.

Burnsville may have been responsible for the pregame pomp and circumstance, but Hill-Murray freshman Ben Helgeson stole the show Saturday afternoon at the Burnsville Ice Center in the Pioneers’ 4-3 come-from-behind win over the Blaze.

Helgeson scored his first two varsity goals and looked right at home centering upperclassmen and varsity veterans junior Kyler Yeo and senior Luke Ranallo.

The Blaze’s home opener came complete with a dark arena, a colored light show and three first-period goals.

Junior forward Ryan Pearson scored just 53 seconds into the game to give the Blaze a 1-0 lead that was quickly erased by Helgeson’s first goal.

Senior forward Gavin Wagner tipped in a shot from the point and fellow senior forward Eric Otto added the third goal of the period for the Blaze (0-1-0).

“Burnsville and (head coach) Janne (Kivihalme) do a great job,” longtime Hill-Murray coach Bill Lechner said after the game. “They’re on their home ice, their home opener and they were fired up and came after us.”

Helgeson kicked off the second period with a goal for the Pioneers (1-0-0) just over a minute into the period, stuffing a wedged puck past Burnsville senior goaltender Nick Lee to pull the Pioneers within one.

“I wasn’t nervous going into (the game),” Helgeson said. “More excited,” Helgeson added. “It was a lot of fun out there.” 

Burnsville’s Eric Otto (not pictured) scores on a shot from the point in the Blaze’s 4-3 loss to No. 5 Hill-Murray. Credit: Peter Odney.

Burnsville’s Eric Otto (not pictured) scores on a shot from the point in the Blaze’s 4-3 loss to No. 5 Hill-Murray. Credit: Peter Odney.

Junior forward Emmet Nath tied the game late in the second period for the Pioneers, converting a power play goal after slick passes by senior defenseman Sean Ryan and junior defenseman Derick Breezee.

Senior forward Austin Peterson scored the game-winner midway through the third period, while Ryan registered his second assist of the game for the Pioneers, ranked No. 5 in Class 2A in the preseason coaches’ poll.

Lechner said that he wasn’t surprised at Helgeson’s play given what he had seen at tryouts earlier this month.

“In tryouts we saw a young man that from Monday, to Thursday, to Friday, you saw something pretty special there,” Lechner said.

Ranallo, who assisted on Helgeson’s second goal, said that the other players weren’t surprised either.

“He’s a big, strong kid,” Ranallo said. “He skates fast, and he’s smart with the puck.”

Helgeson spent last season with the Roseau Bantam AA team, and says he’s grateful for the support of the Roseau community.

“I thank them all for helping me out in youth hockey, and (for) all of them supporting me in coming down here.”

Next Up:

Hill-Murray will host No. 9 in 2A Benilde-St. Margaret’s on Thursday, Dec. 3 at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood.

Burnsville will take on No. 3 in 2A Edina at the Burnsville Ice Center on Saturday, Nov. 28. 

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