Benilde-St. Margaret's Boys' Hockey

Dan Labosky scored twice and Jake O'Borsky had a goal and an assist in his Red Knight debut as Benilde-St. Margaret's opened the 2010-11 season with a 4-1 win over St. Cloud Tech.

Although second on the depth chart, the line of Labosky and O'Borsky, along with center T.J. Moore, accounted for three of BSM's four goals on the night.

Labosky earned the game's first star as he opened the game's scoring with a wraparound goal with 31 seconds remaining in the opening period and sealed the win with an empty-net goal with 47 seconds to play in the game.

He also earned an assist on O'Borsky's goal just 1:27 into the third period, which came on a scramble in front of the net.

"It was good to see the line of Labosky, Moore, and O’Borsky have a big night," BSM head coach Ken Pauly said. "Their production will be crucial to our success this season."

The win didn't come easy for the Red Knights, who had a 17-6 advantage in shots on goal in the opening period and held a 37-19 margin for the game.

"I think people underestimate just how many nerves are involved in the first game of the season," Pauly said. "We played well enough to win and that's what we will have to hang our hat on."

Despite controlling much of the play, BSM headed into the final period tied, 1-1, after the Tigers' Mitch Hall scored on the power play early in the second period.

The Red Knights came out in the third period with a determination to wrap up a home-opening win and Grant Besse provided the impetus when he converted a Patrick Daly rebound into a 2-1 lead just 20 seconds into the frame.

Just 67 seconds late it was O'Borsky scoring for the home team to give them a 3-1 lead.

“I loved the energy that we came out with in the 3rd period," Pauly stated. "It was a great response to some very poor second-period play.”

BSM also got an outstanding effort from goalie Anders Jecha. Ten of his 18 saves came in the second period and prevented his team from falling behind.

"It was a great win for Jecha," Pauly said. "He made some big saves when we struggled in the defensive zone and helped to keep our ship from sinking in the second period."

The 4-1 win followed the script of last year's opener with St. Cloud Tech, which also ended with a 4-1 BSM win and was capped with an empty-net goal.

“I was impressed with St. Cloud Tech," Pauly said. "They played very hard, were scrappy and they had great goaltending, the same as last year.”

The fifth-ranked Red Knights are at home again Saturday, when they host fourth-ranked Hill-Murray in a matinee affair, which is scheduled to get underway at 2:30 p.m.