Execution was the key word for the boys’ hockey team in what was a thrilling section opener against the Hopkins Royals. For most of the game, the momentum was equally distributed, neither team able to completely seize the tilt. Hopkins would score first, only to be answered by BSM minutes later at end of the first period. The Red Knights would take the lead in the second, only for it to be tied back up near the beginning of the third period.

However, this is when BSM finally took control. Junior forward Mark Kaske fired past Hopkins’ goaltender Josh Kuemichel to make the score 3-2, and the Royals simply couldn’t answer. The Red Knights would completely put the game away in the closing seconds with an empty-netter, and advance to the section semifinals against rival Wayzata whom they haven’t defeated in more than a year and a half and defeated the Red Knights in last year’s section final.