St. Paul Academy watched the last few seconds of the running clock tick away at the faceoff circle before the helmets started flying.

After years of waiting for a boys’ hockey state tournament appearance, the Spartans scored enough to make time go fast in the third period on Friday, defeating Totino-Grace 7-1 to win the Class 1A, Section 4 title at Roseville Ice Arena. St. Paul Academy, the No. 2 seed in the section, advanced to the tournament for the first time since joining the Minnesota State High School League in 1975.

“It’s huge. I’ve said goodbye to three years of seniors and every year promised them, ‘This is the year,’ ” said Spartans senior forward Justin Jallen, who scored three goals in the second period. “But we finally did it this year.”

The Spartans (23-5) used their speed to keep a step ahead of the fifth-seeded Eagles (8-18-1) throughout the game.

St. Paul Academy scored two goals in the first period, four in the second and one in the third. Even on the penalty kill, the Spartans held the advantage, as Jallen scored two shorthanded goals as part of his night.
“Not only does he have really good tools … but the guys lean on him,”

St. Paul Academy coach Matt Funk said. “As a coach I’ll sit back and process this over the summer, 20 years from now, and a kid taking the bull by the horns and really getting it done in the biggest moment of his life is special.”

Senior forward Ryan Johnson scored Totino-Grace’s only goal with seven minutes left in the game.

Senior Justin Jallen’s hat trick led St. Paul Academy to its first trip to the Class 1A boys' hockey state tournament since joining the Minnesota State High School League.

The Spartans,seeded second in Section 4, defeated fifth-seeded Totino-Grace 7-1 Friday at Roseville Ice Arena to win the section championship. St. Paul Academy’s team speed caused the Eagles problems even on the penalty kill, as two of Jallen’s goals came shorthanded.

St. Paul Academy scored two goals in the first, four in the second and added one in third period. The Eagles scored their only goal in the final period.

Check back later for more on the game.