The high scoring Benilde-St. Margaret’s Red Knights were back at it on Thursday, December 6, defeating the Burnsville Blaze 7-4. The St. Louis Park Rec Center was packed as the team is coming off last year’s state championship, and this was their first game back in the metro.

The Blaze looked strong early, scoring just 22 seconds into the game. The Red Knights responded quickly as senior forward Chris Hickock netted his first goal of the season on a wrap-around opportunity. The Blaze would add one more in the first, and looking confidently in control.

After a poor performance in the first, the Red Knights proved the naysayers wrong and scored 5 goals. Wisconsin commit and senior captain Grant Besse got the scoring started in the period as he knocked in a loose puck in the crease, with the assist coming from his co-captain and Colorado College commit Daniel Labosky. Freshman Alec Baer also put on quite a show, scoring two in the second, both on incredible individual efforts. The Blaze managed to get the game within a single goal in the second, but junior Spencer Nass would have none of that as he netted two goals in just 20 seconds. He went on to score a hattrick.

The third was mostly uneventful, as both teams traded goals, ending in a 7-4 victory for the state champion and first ranked Red Knights. Senior goaltender Andrew Sprang had 16 saves for the night.

The Red Knights scored at least 6 goals in consecutive games to open the season, and the offensive power is undoubtedly their biggest strength. With goal-scoring weapons on all three lines, including probable Mr. Hockey candidate, Grant Besse, BSM will be a tough team to outscore this season.

The Red Knights will face Hill-Murray at home on Saturday, a rematch of the state championship game, in which is sure to be an exciting, fast-paced match-up.