Created: 03/06/2013 5:34 PM KSTP.com By: Chris Long
After finishing as state runners-up three straight seasons, the Hermantown Hawks are a step closer to returning to the Class A State Boys Hockey title game after their 3-0 win over Duluth Marshall in the quarterfinals.
After a scoreless first period, Hermantown (24-4-1) opened the scoring with a goal from Bo Gronseth - who has scored in 7 of the Hawks' last 8 games.
Travis Koepke scored later in the second and Chris Benson added the final goal in the third in the Hawks 3-0 win.
Hermantown outshot the Hilltoppers (16-13) - a fellow Duluth-area school and conference rival - by a final tally of 34-17.
Hawks' keeper Adam Smith recorded a 17-save shutout.
Hermantown advances to Friday's Class A semifinal against Breck.
Duluth Marshall falls to the consolation bracket where they will face Marshall.