ST. CLOUD -- The St. Cloud Apollo Eagles boys' hockey team won the Section 6A Championship by a score of 4-2 over the St. Cloud Cathedral Crusaders in a hard-fought championship game that was close until the very end.

The first period was highlighted by offense -- mostly on Apollo's side --  as the Eagles held a 3-1 lead after the first 17 minutes.

Hunter Simonson was the first to crack the scoreboard with a goal that gave Apollo the 1-0 lead. Cathedral was quick to respond -- tying the game at 1-1 on a power play goal by Logan Neu.

Apollo finished the fist period with all the momentum, as goals by Gino Lucia and Noah Bissett extended their lead to 3-1 at the first intermission.

The second period was all about physicality. The game remained 3-1 as neither team could break through against the opposition's defense.

Cathedral's Leo Lommel brought the Crusaders to within one midway through the second period on a power play goal and the score was 3-2 heading into the final period.

Cathedral had their chances to tie the game, but Apollo goalie Nick Altaus stopped all seven shots fired at him by the Crusaders in the period and finished the game saving 19 of 21 shots.

With under a minute to go, Cathedral had pulled their goalie. A frenzy ensued in Apollo's territory as the Crusaders tried to tie the game with a six-on-five advantage but the puck was cleared out, allowing the Eagles' Jason Omann to ice the game on an empty-netter with just seconds remaining giving Apollo the 4-2 win.

St. Cloud Apollo celebrates the win with the student section. Photo by Isaac Schweer, WJON
St. Cloud Apollo celebrates the win with the student section. Photo by Isaac Schweer, WJON
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St. Cloud Apollo awarded their championship medals. Photo by Isaac Schweer, WJON
St. Cloud Apollo awarded their championship medals. Photo by Isaac Schweer, WJON
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St. Cloud Apollo and St. Cloud Cathedral square off in the Section 6A Championship. Photo by Isaac Schweer, WJON
St. Cloud Apollo and St. Cloud Cathedral square off in the Section 6A Championship. Photo by Isaac Schweer, WJON
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