Benilde-St. Margaret's Boys' Hockey

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. -- St. Thomas scored three times in the game's first seven minutes, 15 seconds, added a power-play goal before the end of the first period, and the fifth-ranked Cadets claimed a 5-1 win over Benilde-St. Margaret's.

Despite St. Thomas' fast start, the Red Knights held a 13-11 edge in shots on goal in the opening period before the teams tightened up their defenses, each allowing five shots on goal, during a scoreless second period.

BSM finally got going offensively on the first shift of the third period. Charlie Bischel forced a turnover along the right boards and found Jeff Johnson in the right faceoff circle.

Johnson then snapped a shot past Cadet goalie Muzzy Donahue to cut the lead to three and breathe some life into the Red Knights.

However, just 39 seconds later, St. Thomas got its second lucky bounce of the night.

Carter Henry's power-play goal in the opening period hit a BSM skate in front and deflected into the net. In the third period, Will Schimek's soft shot hit a Red Knight defenseman in front of the net, changing direction and deflecting past a surprised Carson Limesand.

Once again, BSM held a small advantage in shots on goal, 7-4, but back-to-back penalties, including a five-minute major, forced the Red Knights on the penalty-kill for nearly seven minutes and they were never able to come from behind.

Now 4-2-0, the Red Knights will play their first home game in 13 days, Friday, when they return to the St. Louis Park Recreation Center for a 7 p.m. game with No. 12 Moorhead.