Boys' State Hockey Tournament: Benilde-St. Margaret's claims Class 2A championship

ST. PAUL -- It was championship Saturday at the 2011-12 boy's hockey state tournament. Benilde-St. Margaret’s junior Grant Besse scored five goals to beat Hill-Murray 5-1 Saturday night at the Xcel Energy Center. Jack Jablonski was at the game to watch his Red Knight teammates claim the Class 2A title.

In the Class A title game, St. Thomas Academy beat previously undefeated Hermantown, 5-1, in a repeat of last year's title game.

How they got here:
St. Thomas Academy defeated Breck, 1-0. It's the second time the Mustangs have lost to the Cadets this season -- both were decided by one goal. Peter Krieger scored the game's only goal and STA goalie David Zivnek stopped all 35 shots he faced.

Hermantown moved to 30-0-0 with a 3-2 win over Thief River Falls, but it wasn't easy. The Prowlers trailed 1-0 before scoring two goals within 1:08 to take a 2-1 lead in the third period. Hermantown answered one minute later to tie the game 2-2. That's when Minnesota-Duluth recruit Jared Thomas pumped in his second goal of the game, which turned out to be the game-winner.

How they got here:
Hill-Murray defeated Moorhead, 2-1 in overtime. Spuds goalie Michael Bitzer couldn't be penetrated until the Conrad Sampier took advantage of a rare rebound to tie the game 1-1 with 7:02 remaining in the third period. Sampair then scored the game-winner 1:52 into overtime by sliding a puck between the legs of Bitzer. The goal was initially waved off, but officials ruled the goal good after reviewing the replay.

Benilde-St. Margaret's blew away Lakeville South, 10-1. The game was all but over after one period as the Red Knights held a commanding 5-0 lead. Dan Labosky had a hat trick for BSM.

Class 1A Championship Game:
(2) St. Thomas Academy 5, (1) Hermantown 1

Class 2A Championship Game:
Hill-Murray 1, Benilde-St. Margaret's 5 (both unseeded)