After one period of Thursday’s quarterfinal matchup between St. Thomas Academy and Centennial, all signs pointed to the Cadets earning their first trip the semifinals since making the jump to Class AA. 

The Cadets led the Cougars 2-0, with goals from Cade Huntley and Luke Herzog coming in the last few minutes of the first frame, giving a team that hadn’t lost in regulation during the regular season a measurable advantage. 

Undeterred, Centennial plugged along, notching a goal in the second period from Carter Wagner, paring the St. Thomas Academy lead to 2-1. 

The Cougars (20-6-3) kept it loose on the bench entering the third, with a player poking coach Ritch Menne while sporting a grin according to on-ice reporter Tori Holt. 

The relaxed vibes paid off in the third, as Centennial scored twice to upend the fourth-seeded Cadets (25-3-1) and earn the first semifinal appearance by the program since the 2004 campaign when it captured the state title.

Jack Menne scored midway through the period to tie the game, and Hayden Brickner scored the game-winner after taking out his man along the boards and maneuvering back into the slot to secure a rebound and snap a shot past Frank Brimsek Award finalist Atticus Kelly. 

Centennial goaltender Travis Allen out-dueled Kelly, stopping 33 shots while Kelly finished with 22. 

With the win, the No. 5 seed Cougars will face top-seeded Edina on Friday night.