Hill-Murray and St. Thomas Academy are the 2008 state champions, and now, almost all is quiet here at the Xcel Energy Center.  It’s been a great four days of hockey, hasn’t it?

I’ve seen fourteen games in 83 hours, from the drop of the puck between Duluth Marshall and Mankato West on Wednesday morning, all the way through Joe Phillippi’s blocker toss tonight. As to why I’d want to spend 50 hours in the Xcel Energy Center over a four-day span, I can only quote something that St. Thomas Academy co-head coach Tom Vannelli said to me back in late November: “Hockey just gets under your skin, you know?”

After the jump, a look back at a few odds and ends from the tournament.

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Hill-Murray is the 2008 state champions!

Give the Pioneers a lot of credit; they shut down an incredibly high-powered Edina offense, one that hadn’t been shut out all season and that had been held to fewer than three goals only twice.

Joe Phillippi made 31 saves, and celebrated by tossing his blocker and catching glove about fifty feet into the air.  Go nuts, son - you’ve earned it.

Hill-Murray killed a holding penalty, and we’re back to even strength with just five minutes to go.

Joe Phillippi has been simply great for the Pioneers - he has 31 saves, and has given up virtually no rebounds.

Another TV timeout and a chance to update.  The Pioneers are going on the power play, and are looking for the goal that’ll put this one away.

Remember, Hill-Murray hasn’t won a state title since 1991; this is their ninth tournament appearance since then, which includes a pair of championship-game losses.

Right off the faceoff following the TV timeout, defenseman Chris Casto fired a shot at the net, and Delaney Metcalf tipped it over Derrick Caschetta’s shoulder for Hill-Murray’s third goal of the game.