Fargo South/Shanley tops Red River in 2023 NDHSAA boys hockey state title game

By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist

GRAND FORKS – The 2023 NDHSAA Boys Hockey State Tournament Championship game between Fargo South/Shanley and Grand Forks Red River was a thriller.

Three overtime periods were needed to decide a state champion. Eighteen seconds into the third extra period, Fargo South/Shanley senior forward John Lang scored the game-winning goal to give the Bruins the state title by a final tally of 3-2 on Saturday, February 25 at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

The state championship is Fargo South/Shanley’s first as a co-op program. Fargo South won state championships in 1994, 1999 and 2006.

On Saturday, the Bruins were opportunistic and never let Grand Forks Red River get comfortable with a lead.

In overtime, the Roughriders outshot the Bruins 13-7, but Lang’s shot on net was the one shot that found its mark. Earlier, Lang scored at the 4:27 mark of the third period to tie the game 2-2.

In total South/Shanley was outshot 45-30 in the game and the squad relied heavily on its senior goalie Noel Olsonawski who ended the game with 43 saves – 13 of which came in the thrilling overtime period.

Olsonawski earned Tournament MVP honors following the game.

Red River opened the game’s scoring when senior forward Michael Coleman scored a goal at the 16:30 mark of the first period.

South/Shanley would answer in the 15th minute of the second period with a power play goal from senior defenseman Trevor Moe.

The game was knotted 1-1 heading into the third period. It didn’t take long for the Roughriders to break the tie as junior forward Luc Bydal scored at the 2:12 mark to put Red River up until Lang’s equalizer that came two minutes later.

The Bruins are the first non-Grand Forks team to win a NDHSAA boys hockey state championship since Minot High won the 2015 state championship.

Fargo South/Shanley finished the season 22-5-0. Red River ended the 2022-23 season with a 23-3-1 record.  

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM:

F - Michael Coleman, Grand Forks Red River
F - Luc Bydal, Grand Forks Red River
F - Colten Nestler, Fargo South/Shanley
D - Trevor Moe, Fargo South/Shanley
D - Zachary Moser, West Fargo Sheyenne
G - Noel Olsonawski, Fargo South/Shanley (Tournament MVP)

RINK WRITER GAME SHEET: FARGO SOUTH/SHANLEY 3, GRAND FORKS RED RIVER 2 (3OT)

RINK WRITER GAME SHEETS: 2023 NDHSAA BOYS HOCKEY STATE TOURNAMENT

2023 NDHSAA BOYS HOCKEY STATE TOURNAMENT BRACKET

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