No. 4AA Benilde St. Margaret's continued their torrid start to the season beating No. 5AA Hill Murray 5-1 at Aldrich Arena Thursday night in non-conference play. The Red Knights (5-0) picked up their first victory over the Pioneers since the 2012 Class AA state championship. After defeating Grand Rapids and Burnsville on their home-ice, Benilde completed an impressive run of five straight wins, all on the road. "Tonight validates that we are doing things right," said Ken Pauly, Benilde's long time Head Coach. "We moved the puck about as well as any team I've coached at this time of year."

The Red Knights owned the game in the first period outshooting Hill Murray 11-5 and outscoring them 2-0. The first goal came on a pretty shot by Jacob Holmers who beat Hill Murray's Jake Begley high. Shota Yokosuka scored his first goal as a Red Knight, popping in a rebound to give BSM the lead after one.  

The second period was a mirror image of the first. Benilde controlled the play, "we have really worked hard at possessing the puck and winning battles, tonight our whole team did a great job," said Red Knights forward Cade Gleekel. 

After Gleekel scored to make it 3-0 in favor of BSM, Hill Murray showed signs of life when Luke Ranallo busted loose and beat Ryan Bischel on a breakaway to cut the lead to 3-1. The ice momentarily tilted in Hill Murray's favor. But almost five later, Gleekel would put the Red Knights in the driver's seat when he tapped in pretty pass from senior Zach Ristau. "Sto (Ristau) found me open back door, all I had to do was tap it in," said Gleekel after the game. 

In the third, Luke Horton added an insurance goal for the Red Knights and Benilde cruised to an easy 5-1 win. On Thursday, the Knights were quicker, more aggressive and carried out their game plan. 

Up Next: Benilde will play their first home game of the season next Tuesday night when they host Woodbury in St. Louis Park. Hill Murray will host another tough foe, when Wayzata comes to Aldrich Saturday night.